Daily Kennebec journal., 1879-10-10
The Indian Troubles.

ney mas written upon tne SUBJECT.
The Indian Troubles.
There is good deal of inquiry about
the causes of the last Indian outbreak.
1T is not difficult" says the New York
Mail, Ito meet the inquiry
1.-The foolish policy of democratic Con-
gress explains existing troubles. Seeking
to create an impression that democratic
administration would secure marvellous
economies in the government, the demo-
Gratis have refused to vote adequate sup
plies for an army with which to maintain
order among the Indians, and this they
have refused in spite of Gen. Sheridan's
protestations that the troops at his dispos-
al are shamefully inadequate for the man.
agement Of the savages. Now, such econ
omy is as wise as that of the man who
nearly starves himself to death, in Or
der to horde the money which ought to 60
for food to give him strength. The coun-
try wishes no more of such democratic
economy. 1t demands, rather, a careful
expenditure of whatever amount is neces-
sary for the enforcement of law and order
throughout our vast domain. The pres
ence of strong force of troops IN the In
dian country is absolutely indispensable to
the public welfare. 1t is economy to keep
aforce there sufficient to awe the savagcs
into submission to the law Who believes
that the attack upon Maj. Thornburgh
would have been made. if the Utes had
known that the power OF our soldiers
would Immediately avenge the outrageP
1t is time for democratic croaking about
maintaining large army in time of peace
to cease. 1t is economy to place and keep
strong force of men where they will be
constant restraint upon the treacherous
redskins. Our army is but handful of
$4,000 men, and should be increased,
rather than depleted by the trickery of
democratic Congress.
The Utes have had some provocation to
discomfort. They were formerly consid-
cred very friendly to the whites. They
are among the most intelligent of all our
Indians, and civilization ought to make
more progress among them than among
other savages. In 1873, rich mineral
district was purchased of the tribe under
the Brunot treaty for $75OOOO. Delay of
the payment has caused discomfort
among the Utes, and is probably
one OF the evils, attributable to
democratic mismanagement, which
have caused the hostility of this once
most peaceable tribe. 1t is fair speci-
men Of the false economy by which the
democratic Congress has sought to seduce
the country into the establishment If DEM
ocratic supremacy. What right have we
to expect the Indians to abstain from as
saults upon the lives and property OF the
whites, until all the promises of the gov
ernment are scrupulously kept with them?
We need to give them an example of Just
dealing and generous treatment In the
fact that we have often failed to do SO lies.
in part, the secret of all our Indian trou-
bles.
To prevent Indian troubles three things
are necessary First, an army in the In
dian country of sufficient strength to
promptly suppress and vigorously PUNISH
every outbreak which may occur. Second,
the honest execution of every contract
made with the Indians by the government.
Third. instruction and encouragement of
the savages in the arts OF civilization. A
Congress that confesses itself unable or
unwilling 10 provide these conditions. con-
fesses its own unfitness to be trusted with
power, and ought Immediately to be
turned loose in the wilderness of obscurity
by disguised public. The secret of our
Indian troubles is, that we have neither
ruled the savages with the iron hand of
military power, nor led them by the hand
OF gentleness and love. We have plum
dered and abused them, and have been
foolish enough to do this without proyid-
ing means to crush them if they rebelled
The secret of the prevention of Indian
troubles is, to instruct and encourage the
savages in the industries of civilization.
while at the same time we compel them
to understand that treachery and crime Oh
their part will be punished with unsparing
severity"
John Kelly makes the first of his stump