The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-04-30
Law For Red Men.

Law For Red Men.
A new phase in the history Of the fugitive
Poncas now presents itself Action has boon
taken in regard to them, which, going far
beyond tho hapless Indians immediately
concerned, may strike at the roots OF the
great reservation system.
About three weeks ago, an application
was made to Judge ELMER $. DANDY OF the
District Court OF the United States for
Nebraska, for a writ of hdbeds corpus in the
case OF the Ponca Indians now imprisoned
at Fort Omaha. The ground Of the applica-
ton was the dismal story already made
public. Tho Poncas, removed without their
request or desire from their healthful and
happy homes in Dakota TO the Indian Ter
ritory, by CARL ScHURz's orders, were
stricken last year with mortality SO
frightful that the chief of the tribe, with
few men and women, Drawing the rigors OF n
terrible winter, fled north, and were re-
ceived, half starved, by their knsmen, the
Omaha Indians. No sooner was their pres
ence there known, than CARL ScHURz or
dered them to be taken back by troops.
STANDING BEAR says that while he was
holding the plough handles, after long being
deprived OF any chance to work, he was ar
rested and put into confinement without
having committed crime.
Frontier communities are not wont TO he
| too tender with red men; hut -o''fnplo
words OF STANDING blAAh hDoue inc clrcuiu-
stanoos of his flight, and especially of his
arrest and Imprisonment, stirred the peo-
pie OF Omaha with Indignation and SYM
pathy. Happily, instead Of submitting, as
is usual In such cases, to the view OF Gen.
CROOK, given with much reluctance, that
he had his orders to return the Poncas, and
must obey, the people began to inquire
whether, In time OF peace, military law ID
supreme even for red men. Tho result was
that two lawyers were engaged to present
the application to Judge DANDY, and the
BEAR, Walk n -THE-'w D. TosNSGi RUNNER.
CRIES FOR WAR, MIDsT-oF-THE-E EAGLES. and
SO on through the list OF the captiyes be-
fore him, with a statement OF the time and
cause OF the detention, according to the
usual form. The document was served on
Gen. CROOK who at once telegraphed to
Washington for instructions.
what has given special interest TO the
late OF the Poncas is the fact that few
days since, and after the writ OF habcas
corpus was issued the Indians OF the Omaha
reservation caused to be published in the
Omaha Herald, through their Interpreter. a
document signed by twenty OF their leading
men, Offering home on their reservation TO
their relatives, the Poncas. In this docu-
mcnt they say;
I'VE willing share what we possess with then, n
they can only be allowed return and labor improve
and provide for themselves. where they may live IN
peace, enjoying good health We received them
kindly aud they preparing to 30 To work TO SOW and
plant when they arrested and taken from us by
soldersn
Here, then, we have tho extraordinary
spectacle OF the Poncas pleading not 10 be
sent back To their fever-stricken pen In the
Indian Territory, the Omahas willing 10
give them part Of their own lands, the va
rious churches Of Omaha pleading with
CARL ScHURz to allow this arrangement.
even Gen. CROOK saying IL am sorry for
these people, and would be glad to see them
allowed to remain, but must obey orders"
while at Washington CARL ScHuRz insists
that the Indians shall go back 1t is not
disputed that out Of 1856 Poncas who went TO
the Indian Territory under the SEIZURE re-
0ime, $50 died within eighteen months; but
the remainder are to be kept there Gin the
interest Of discipline" Whatever may be
the result OF the hearing on the writ of ha-
0eas corpus, which was to have begun yes
terday at Omaha, the question, once started
Will continue TO be mooted, whether the only
law for the red man is the rule Of the bayo-
net and the arbitrary will Of Mr.. CARL
SCHURz