New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-02-08


pie, of Minnesota, protests against transferring
the care of the Indians to the Army. lie as
serts that the object of the proposed change
il TO compel the Indians to submit to wrongs
which the Government refuses TO redress
that Congress Is primarily responsible for In
dian wars, and that the Army is untitled for
the duties with which it is proposed to en-
trust it.
THE ARMY UNTITLED FOR THE TRUST.
AN EARNEST RECITAL OF wRoNGs-HOw THEY CAN
AND HOW THEY CANNOT BIZ DONE AWAY WITH
To the Editor OF The r6une.
SIR: II is proposed to transfer one branch OF the
Civil Service 70 the Department Of War; bill has
been introduced in Congress 20 commit the Indians
10 the care Of the Army. Why should we
make this radical change IN the administrs-
ton of Indian aalrs' l. It 10 for the wrongs
done TO the Indiansi Is ii to fulfil our violated
treaties Do propose 70 turn our swords INTO
puughshares, and make Army the ministers OF
peaceful civilization fear II is FOR such mer-
cIfu end The object is to compel the Indians 10
submit to wrongs which we refuse 10 redress 1t
means that in dealing with our helpless wards we
will use force, and that might shall be right
The Indian problem is a verv simple one, If looked
at BY the light Of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Admit
that these Indians men; that the glad tldings
are for all men, and that the "Fatherhood Of God "
is not limited 70 the white race 4; that Christian
civilization will do for them what IL has done for
other heather folk and then II Is no problem-the
way lies straight on for willing feet But If we
blind our ewes to eternal truths we forget that ma
tons reap exactly what they SOW, II We break our
own plighted faith, If we dIspossess savage men of
their homes if We surround them with every evil
influence, if we make the name 81 white man
SYNONYM for liar and at last savage hate breaks ont
in rapine massacre aud outrage, the Indian ques-
ton will become a DEVILS labyrinth, out Of which
no one can see a way of safety.
Il is the fashion to lay all blame at the door Of the
Interior Department and 10 hold the unfortunate
man who Is Commissioner Of Indian Affairs person
ally responsible for all the wrongs which are done
to the Indians. In days gone by this Department
has had its share Of corruption but | know of one
honest Commissioner of Indian Affairs who was
hunted into an uutimey grave. The Interior De-
partmeut Is not alone responsible for the dis
graceful wars Of the past fifteen years. Did
the Interior Department plan the forclble
seizure Of the Black Hills and the occupation
OF the Sioux country Did 1t instlgate
the Cheyenne the Apache the Modoc
and the Ncz Perc6 warsi Was It responsible for
the Sand Greek massacre OF the cruelty 10 the Ma
vajoe,! The M5doc and N-z Perez wars were
caused bv -he forcbe seizure of Indian lands and
deed, of violence and murder The Navajoes sought
top.0tcct their stolen daughters from fate worse
than death. The Cheyenne war came from one Of
the most brutal mI--aerc- of tina nineteenth CEN
tury. The sioux war came primarily from the
seizure of the Black Hills NJ actual hosrlItIes
CURED until an orderwas issued compelling these m
dams with their women and chIlIren, to leave their
Aunting-grouud- and travel COON over trerless
desert TO their agencies, with almost the absolute
certainty that they would freeze 10 death. The
telegraph brings tidInsS that a similar order
issued TO some Northern Cheyeuncs, commanding
them To return 10 the Indian Territory IN the dead
OF Winter. They TOO refused, saying that their
wives and children would freeze 10 death. The
telegram says that they He'd and surrounded
and shot down by the troops. We cried out with
horror when these Indians killed white women and
babes but no eve pties the Indian mother and her
babes. These Cheyenncs have murdered white set
tiers. But It 4 sad story OF violated faith which
changed these friends into foes They were the
most friendly Of the Indians who signed the treaties
of Sos and 1876. They have the same rights as
the Sioux in these treaties. When Congress
refused 10 allow the Sioux 70 90 to the
Indian Territory these Indians refused TO remain
there away from their friends and country.
They iustly claimed that they had the same rights
A. tLc Sioux % 1--we in . country whose joint occu-
pancy had been guaranteed to them b. the United
states They went 10 the Territory reluctantly
and after suffering sickness and they say sJaryd-
tom. fed 10 their old homes. They have a stronger
claim t. q home In this country which was theirs
by possession and treaty. They were represented
In the council held with President Hayes in
1877 Chiefs who represented all the IN
dams who were parties to these treaties came
10 Washington to lay their complaints before
III 4 % b,v.
y0u our hills Of gold and our hunting grounds
We ask that We may select a home IN our own coun-
try. and that you Will aid Us 70 live The Pres-
dent answered: Next Spring will send 10 you
good men who shall 20 with you 10 select your own
homes We will aid you 10 BEGIN new life The
Indians were oyerjoyed and shouted " IIo, no. ho.'
A year did not elapse before negotiations were
entered upon to defeat this pHghted faith.
Ont of the delavs falsehoods and suffering conse-
queut upon them, there Is a good Dro~pcc. Of
other Indian war. President Hayes is not r.spon-
sbe for this violated faith. President Grant gave
his word to the friendly Si0lx that their ponies
should not be taken from them He knew that the
ordinance of 17S7 guaranteed that the property Of
the Indians should not be taken from them except
in war duly authorized by Congress. over 1000
ponies we're taken in violation Of law, and 10 this
dav no adequate return has been made for them.
\ friendly cultt writes me, complaining tndL IntHt
continued ac.s Of arbitrary power have caused wide
spread dissatisfaction among those Indians who
have always been our devoted friends.
CONGRESS RESPONSIBLE FOR INDIAN WARS.
Congress IS primarily responsible for our Indian
vars II knows the evils of our Indian system and
refuses to redress them. 1t Will not provide for the
Indians those things which make civilization posi-
bic, viz. permanent homes, individual rights OF
property, the protection of law and guarantee Of
the rewards Of labor. Ii spends money by millions
in an ansn0use system, which is to-day gal
10 excess and tomorrow II penurous to starvation