The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1879-11-18

Inc management OF the VARIOUS III
dian tribes in British America is often
referred to as evidence of the i~ncapacity
Of our own government in dealing with
the tribes under its jurisdiction. Now,
while by no means entirely approving
the Indian policy pursued by the gov
eminent, We are of the opinion that no
parallel can be justly instituted between
the two countries in this respect.
The inhabitants of the British pos
sessions are not brought in contact
with the native tribes within their
borders as are the citizens Of this
country. There the increase in popu-
lation is comparatively small. There is
no abrupt collision between the races.
The wilderness is gradually occupied by
the invading settler. The transforma-
tion from barbarism to civilization is
effected : without hostility. In the
United States the circumstances are
entirely different. A constant stream
Of emigration pours into the country
beyond the border. Inevitable hostil-
ties ensue as is invariably the case when
ever or wherever different races of men
Of different grades of civilization col
Tide.
The conduct Of England in other
countries illustrates the truth of this
statement. The result of the English
invasion Of India is well known. In
comparison with the atrocities there
enacted all that the Indians have suf-
fered in this country sinks into insig-
niicance. The English first obtained
a foothold in Hindoostan about two
centuries ago, their early possessions
consisting of a few trading posts on
the coast. The French, who also held
several similar stations were deposed
by the English who thereby greatly
augmented the area of their territory,
which was still farther increased by
cessions from native princes. All polit-
ical power in her Indian colonies and
the monopoly of the Indian trade was
finally granted to a corporation which
at a later date developed into the
well known East India company.
The British government permitted
this commercial organization, consist
ing simply of individuals, to make laws
and impose regulations upon u great
oriental empire, containing a popala-
tion vastly outnumbeIing all the in
habitants of England, Scotland, Ire
land and Wales combined. This great
countrywas oppressed most sh%amefully;
barbarities were perpetrated, excuses
were committed and enormities prac-
ticed, the recollection of which will
forever tarnish the pages of English
history.
Our Indignation is increased 10y the
reflection that this odious course Of
procedure in India was without ex-
cuse. In this country the settler &C.
cupies a wilderness and fits it for the
abode Of civilized man. He finds it in
habited by a race of wild men living
like the wild animals around them, just
as their ancestors have lived from time
i~mmemorial, and just as their descen-
dants would have lived for age after
age in the future.
The American settler redeems this
land; by his untiring efforts the Wilder
ness is converted into a garden. The
natural riches Of the mighty west are
brought forward to the light and con-
verted to the use Of man.
The wide spread grain fields, at this
moment feeding the world, the mex
haustible stores of mineral wealth, now
affording to the nations a currency, the
unlimitable pastures with their count
less herds, the invaluable forests Of
the northwest, all have been converted
to our use through the occupation of
the west by civilized man. The Eng
Hsh In their conquest of India were
actuated only by love of gain and lust
of power. The East Indian wa in his
own sphere a civilized man possessing
an ancient history and language, ac-
quainted with art, science and philoso-
ply, in some respects excelling his
more powerful conqueror. Magnifi-
cent palaces, grand and stately temples
were found in the numerous populous
cities, and everywhere was a dense
population and everywhere the soil was
cultivated to afford food for that popu-
lation. There was not, as in America,
immense tracts of fertile land unim-
proved and uncared for, occupied by a
race who subsisted on the wild ami
mails that roamed over it, but every
acre was cultivated and the produce
thereby absolutely necessary to prevent
starvation among the millions who in
habited the country.
England is now engaged in wal with
the natives of South Africa, a region
where there exists no cause for inevita-
BILE conflict as in this country.
The British government is also in
collision with the Afghans, a semi-ciy-
ilized people of Central ASA. Wher-
ever the English penetrate, in every