New-York tribune., 1879-01-18


missions. His official superiors have set a good
example in exposing the whole matter. There
is too marked a tendency nowadays among
religious people toward secret agreements
and "statemcnts,' and suppressions OIL scan-
dals
The. result of the contest for United states
Senator in Connecticut Will disappolnt those
who looked for the election of man Oh
National reputation. x-Postmaster-Generai
Jewell. General Hawey. and, IN lesser
degree, Mr.. Harrison, are men VINO are hhoWn
bcyond the boundaries of their State and would
have given it prominence III the Schate u! 'nc
force of their abilities. But they destfoyeu
each other by rivalry. Mr. Platt, VINO mas
been nominated after protracted Dallo'ihg'
Is q man solely of local reputation lie mas
held State Offices, has served i'll both branches
of the Legislature, and has acted as Speaker
of the House. 1t must be added that he is
man of ability and convictions, to whom HIS
chief competitor paid very warm tribute
at the very moment of defeat. Perhaps II
ought also to be added i'll defence OF the
much-abuSed 4" dark horse who persists In
CARRYING off so many of the prizes of politics,
that If obscure men were never chosen to
GOOD Offices the breed OF distinguished men
yould. in process of time, become extinct.
On another page is given vivid picture Oh
the civilized Indian as legislator, ofhce-hoidor'
and landowner Our correspond mt VlSted
the ChOc;aws at their capital, ana sets down
with entire frdnkneSs his impressions as to the
success of the policy of i'olating the Indians; ;
=, nd
inc. and much more inclined to follow the
lead of their politicians than that OF their
schoais. He argues against the wisdom OF
continuing the Indian Territory in its present
form. instead of breaking up the lands to he
owned by the various tribes III sever
atv. giving the Territory representation III
Congress, organizing United States Courts, ETC.
This plan, It is urged, would destroy Il vast bar
ricr to immigration and progress, at the same
time that il enabled the Indians themselves
To profit 10y close contact with civilized whites
70 those who fear a sacrifice OF the Indian
rights from this controversy. it can he talIN
Siid that IN the present temper OF the people
and of Congress there is not the slight
est danger that any legislation VIII
be had either mt the demand Of the
people of the bordering States, or in the
interest of any railroad corporation which does
rot provide, in the first instance, above and
b., olc all things else, for the maintenance
Q. all the rights of the individual mdi-
ans and the promotion of their trae welfare
as q people. Whatever wrongs may hay" been
suffered by these much-compl people
at the hands of the dishonest agent or
the cncroachng settler, it cannot be claimed
tnat the Government has ever dealt
with them except III the most con-
siderate and liberal manner. In all
treaties the Indian, who Is by no means a
clIlJ at bargain, has had the best Of the
trade Ard the Government, which has here
tofore not only treated him generously. but
projected him from imposition and civilized
him almost in spite of himself, will not now
consent to any wrong or injustice to
hinl. The pending question Is whether
the continuance OF the tribal relation
and the policy Of isolation will be adj
vantageous or otherwise TO this people
in their progress out of baIbarism toward civil
ization. The experiment has been on trial now
something like fifty years, and they have
among them two generations Of educated
college-hred men. 1t is not, certainly too early
to lock for some results. 1t is a question
which deserves careful consideration and hon
est treatment.