, 1879-03-15
Indian Troubles this Season.

"Will there be any troubles with the
Indians this season." is a question that
is asked of us almost every day. 1t Is
well known that our citizens In every di-
rection are being prepared for hostilitles
while corresponding preparations are be-
ing made by the Indians IN many d!rec-
tions. These facts warrant grave appre-
tensions in regard to the situation. The
treaties with the Yakimas, the tribes
upon the Umatilla reserve and the Nez
Perces will soon expire. These Indians
are well aware of the great desire OF the
whites to become possessed of the land
embraced within these reserves at the
same time feeling very apprehensive the
government will not be willing, or able,
to protect them III rights guaranteed to
them under their treaties. All OF the
Indians of eastern Washington and north
Idaho, not included in the Yakima and
Nez Perce treaties, have been since lS5S
living at peace with the government,
without being under treaty Obligations
nor have they received any annnities,
and but few of them any assistance what
ever from the government, although re-
peated promises have been made them
A temporary reservation, adjoining Brit
ish Columbia and west of the Columbia
river, has been established by executive
order, and Is known as the Colville re-
serve. The Indians for whom it was set
apart have not been located upon it, nor
any steps taken by the government to
that end This reserve is included IN the
tract of country asked for by MoseT and
Homily for n reservation Nopu OF the
Indians but those now living on the Col
vile reserve are willing To leave their
present homes to go there. A temporary
reserve has been established for the
Cuur d'Alenes by executive order. en-
bracing nearly all the country occupied
by them. Nothing further has been done
for these Indians, who are satisfied So
long as they can remain in their present
locations undisturbed, and without ask
ing that other promises made them be
redeemed
Other tribes and bands of Indians,
having the same claims that the Conur
dAlenes have, are repeatedly asking why
they are not provided for III a similar
manner, by which their present homes
can be secured to them. To yield to all
their demands in this respect, and at
tempting TO perpetsiate the present reser-
,ation system, will be the surrender of
the best portion of the country to the oc-
cupatlon of small Indian population
compared with the present white popula-
ton, and which would result in a con
slant conflict between the two races.
Our readers can comprehend some of
the difficulties surrounding the situation,
which can be relieved only by vigorous
and uniform policy on the part of the
authorities at Washington. The minds
of all Of the Indians are as much dis
turbed as those of the settlers on the
frontiers, and any imprudent action on
the part of either, in any direction, may
precipitate hostilities early i'll the season
General Howarl's prompt movements
during the last years campaign broke up
contemplated combination of the In
Gians extending from north Idaho and
IN W;ishn. ston into Montana OF
this, the evidence is complete.
The only practical plan proposed for
satisfactory adjustment of these difficult
ties is the abandonment of the reserva-
ton system, break up all triba, relations,
and make them subject to the laws made
for our own citizens. The assertion that
the Indians will not become self support
ing with proper encouragement, Is con-
tradicted by the operations of the Indians
in the Colville, Spokane and Coeur d Aicne
districts, who have never been under
treaty obligations, II is but an act OF
justice to say that these Indians have had
the benefit Of the advice Of Catholic mis-
sionarics for some years past
Father Grassc, formerly of Colvilie,
now in the Blackfoot country, a man Of
extended observation and experience
amongst the Indians, expressed the opin-
ion last Year that to locate the Indians
upon lands in severalty was the only safe
solution of the problem.