New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-08-06
SEr1l ENENr NTH TIE UTES

The special dispatches Of TIE TRIBUNE
show that the Commissioners have at last
been successful in inducing The inferior chiefs
of the UncompahgTe Utes 10 sign the treaty.
They (the COnmi >i0ncr5) went South on
Wednesday last to use the same persuasioas
on the Southern Utes. The treaty was signed
unwihngly. Naturally those leaders of tine
tribe who have not left thcir reservation, and
do not appreciate the fact that the people of
Colorado are determined to have Their Land
with or without payment, cannot understand
why they should give up the 12,0Oo,OOO
acres of territory on which they hunt and
fish and lead the hali-YngabOndish life IN which
they have been reared, for 100000 acres on
which there will be no fishing and Luntiug.
but which must be farmod by hard labor
which they do not understand and like stil
less. Ouray, howeyer. while at Washington
last Winter, found out that it was Hob-on'S
choice for them, and by the sharp point Of
this one argument alone has driven the chiefs
to submit and accept the heaty.
The next point 10 be looked to is the
quality of ground given to them in lieu
of the vast territory which they have sur
rendered. We are inclined to have faith that
the Commissioners will deal fairly in this
matter. One OF them at least, Mr.. Many
penny, is a sincere friend Of the Indian.
Even if he were not, we believe that th. Com
missioncrs are all intelligent enough TO per-
ceiye that the United States might for once
afford not to swindle these helpless people III
so petty a matter rs the kind OF ground gwen
them in exchange, its own gain in the trans
action being already so enormous. We re-
member, however, with doubt the barren,
iDalarious tracts set aside for the Cheyennes,
the ez-PercGs, and other tribes, who were
left to the justice and honesty of the Govern
ment, after making concessions almost as
great.
We have had heretofore two ways Of deal
ing with the Indians-charity and cheating.
So far as the people could act, they have been
treated with Il lavish generosity which was
prompted by good deal Of false enthusiasm
and weak sentiment for the "nObe red
"man.r BY the middlemen who came between
the people and the IndIans-the commissioners,
agents, traders, sometimes even the mission
aries-they have been numerically swindled.
The temptation of large sums of money be-
longing to a helpless victim has been too
much for the honesty OF the average or even
the exceptional white man. One method of
treating them we have never tried-fair deal
ing, plain busIness-like honesty, without any
gush of poetic sentiment. 1t would be so new
a thing in our history that it is hard for us
to believe in it until we actually see it,
When the Utes are placed upon their new
tract (Which 1t is hoped will be done in n
years time), it would be only just for white
men to remember that they have unwillingly
made great sacrifice and made it peaceably,
when they might have gwen us much trouble,
and also that they are beginning civilized life
heavily handicapped against success by pre-
vious habits. by ignorance and lack OF skill in
all kinds of labor. They are going to earn
their living as farmers when they know
nothing about farming, and have actu-
ally been forbidden to learn. No doubt
the churches will do their part to-
ward helping these poor people. But the
most effectual help and protection for them
Just now would be to remove promptly their
legal disabilities. SO long as the Indian Is
that absurd poetic nullty. "a ward of the
Nation" with money and land worth steal
ing, and no more legal power of selfdefence
than a COW or dog, he will be robbed Just
"a he is now. All the moral or pathetic ap-
peals of press and pulpit to the justice or hui
mainly of the Indian Department will not
keep commissioners, agents or traders from
plucking the poor bird bare. But give him,
as we give every other man. white or black.
the right TO his 100 acres OF land, the right
to learn trade and to earn his own living.
and the right to defend himself and his prop
erty in the courts, and we shall find sudden
and amazing conversion to honesty and virtue
on the part Of the white man and the Gov