, 1879-03-13
THURSDAY, MARCH l3. 1870
OUR COURSE TOWARD ALASKA.

~
S. government, as evidenced by the
fact that a foreign nation was recent
ly appealed to for assistance and
that necessary protection OF LIE ana
property was afforded to American
citizens by the English government
when home relief was not available.
1t is humiliaiing fact to admit, but
such was the case. True, the VOL
colt was dispatched to Alaska TO
guard the settlers there, ut it was
only after DAYS and even weeks of
delay in ttlegraphing to Washington
and arranging for her departure.
The English man-of war, Osprey,
was in readines to start in few
hours after her commander received
petition praying him to go to the
relief of Alaskan citizens.
We have not words strong enough
to express our feelings, and the feel
ings of those who have kept them
selves informed as to the condition
of Alaska aud her wants, regarding
the injustice which is being done. On
the day that Alaska became the
property of the U. 5. Government,
her citizens were guaranteed and en-.
titled to the same protection and
rights under our laws as those vouch
safed to citizens in all other parts of
our national domain. Had Alaska
been entirely worthless as posses
sion this guarantee and the duty we
owe her would be none the less bind.
ing. But what has teen the result I?
1t has been proved beyond perad-
venture that the newly acquired ter.
ritory is rich in all the substantial,
material and enduring elements Of
wealth. Especially have her miner
ais attracted seekers Of fortune, un
tilher population numbers thousands.
The experiences of the past have
long since taught the residents of
this isolated territory that the pro
lection afforded them by their gov.
ernmSnt was inadequate for the bare
safety of life and property, much less
the adjustment of domestic Difficult
ties where proper judicial action is
required. Realizing this, petitions
have been forwarded to Congress,
setting forth elaborately the facts in
the case and demanding in the name
of Justice remedy for existing dan
gers and wrongs. But their appeals
have gone almost totally unheeded
from time to time, and their protQc.
tion has been simply an occasional
visit from revenue cutter, even that
being frequently delayed (as was re.
Gently the cass) until it was rendered
practically valueless.
Whether the depredations of Alas.
kan savages amount to more than
the occasional murder OF an individ
ual, the plundering of a home, or
not does not in the least affect the
necessity for affording our citizens
national protection. 1t is not what
actually occurs so much as what is
LIKELY to occur that should govern
our policy. We are not required,
by the common laws of Justice, to
wait until enormous massacres have
occurred before Mastering to apply
the remedy. Aud Alaska does no;
need to have military rule again Sc
much as civil government. Stand
ing as she does TO day, with numer
Gus inducements to the outside world
to develop her resources, il is NOR.
ally wrong that such as seek her
shores should be compelled to ieop.
ardize life and earthly possessions
in order to do so. If the powers
that be have persistently refused to
extend civil government over Alaska
it is none the less deplorabIc that