Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-02-18

The theory of mistake in treaty
with another tribe is contemptuously dis
missed by the Boston Committee, who do
not hesitate to say, "the presumption is
that the greed of gain, at the cost of
GO the spoliation of this inoffensive tribe
and the agony and blood of the victims
"of this crime, were the true causes.
"That is to say, there were parties pecu-
"nlarily interested in this removal, who
succeeded in efecting its accomplish
"ment." They then proceed to inquire
into the accuracy of the official plea that
the Poncas consented to the removal, and
they find that this statement is utter
ly untrue. The Poncas protested against
it to the last, and only went when
the Government threatened to employ
force in their removal. They were
then, against the most earnest en-
treaties of the whole tribe, removed
from a northern to a southern climate,
and from a healthy to an unhealthy
region, and were thrust into malarious
territory without adequate shelter or sup
plies, at the worst season OF the year. 1t
was a removal almost rivalhng in callous
inhumanity and brutality that of the Aca-
dian farmers, described by the author of
&c Evangeline. The unfortunate Poncas
were at once assailed by disease, and num-
bers of them died speedily The remain
der of the tribe, utterly heaitened, as
well they might be ON finding themselves
delivered over a helpless prey to some of
the worst scoundrels that ever escaped the
gallows, pined and languished 1t is
gravely stated in the report of their Agent,
that " they seem to have lost faith in the
promises of the Government, and often
90 say that the Great Father has forgotten
them" Well may the Boston Committee
ask, "Is it possible in this civilized
"and so-ealled Christian community, and
sin this age OF refinement and culture,
"that such outrages and atrocities can be
passed upon so lightly % And the Pom
cas- were the very best Indians on the con-
tinent 1t is said that no member of the
tribe ever killed white man. They have
always obeyed the orders of the Govern
ment. Had they been bloodthirsty and
lawless, like the Sioux, there can be no
question that they would have Jared better
at the hands of the Government. 1t ap.
pears, however, that they have never re.
linquished their rights to the reservation
from which they were so cruelty removed.
The title still vests III them, they having
signed no papers relinquishing it, nor
having violated any of the provisions of
the treaty by which it was ceded to
them. The committee reach the con-
illusions a. "That the Poncas were
I" unlawfully removed. o. The re-
suit of such removal has been most
" disastrous to them as a people. go
1.-The title to their land in Dakota is a
valid one, and should be so recognized
g by the Department. as well as decided
&c by the Courts. a. 1t is the bounden
50 duty OF the Government to restore these
81 Poncas to their homes without delay,
4" and to make the most ample restitution
possible. t5.l a committee Of Congress
should be appointed to investigate the
expenditure of money furnished for their
removal, and all other facts relating to
the case" Congress has now taken the
matter up tardily, and it is barely possible
that something may be done, the more
especially since the recent removal of Com
missioner Hayt has stirred up mass of
scandal in connection with Indian affairs
too fragrant to be longer ignored.