Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-12-27
THE CASE OF THE poNcAs.

The proceedings between the Ponca
chiefs and the Secretary of the Interior are
not altogether devoid of mystery. The
public are asked to accept the statement
that they have been deceived by false
representations in regard to the situation
of the Ponca Indians, yet to what extent
these alleged misrepresentation go is not
stated. It cannot be forgotten that Sec
retary Schurz himself, In several annual
reports, has expressly admitted that great
wrong had been done to this tribe. There
is not, in fact, shadow of doubt that
they were forcibly driven from their ter
ritory in Dakota, and that they were
transported to a reservation consisting of
barren lands SO badly situated that large
number of the tribe died the first year from
diseases contracted on the spot. 1t is
equally susceptible of proof that the Pom
cas- then demanded to be returned to the
healthy and fertile territory from which
they had been driven so cruelty and
wantonly, and it is not less true that Mr..
Schurz in his report of last year declared
their demands to be equitable, and ad-
vissd their return to their former loca-
ton. II is well known that several pub
lic-spirited and humane men in Boston and
elsewhere took up the cause of the Poncas
and that through their instrumentality
proceedings were instituted against the
Government to establish the title of these
Indians to the lands from which they had
been eyicted. And though the Courts
have not yet adjudicated the question, the
opinions of several jurists of national repu-
tation have been expressed to the effect
that the Indian title was good, and that
they could and ought to obtain verdict.
To the non judicial mind it would certainly
appear that the case of the Poncas was a
strong one. The Government had made
solemn treaty with them, under the
provisions of which certain lands were
ceded to them in perpetuity. On these
lands they had established themselves, and
had made many permanent improvements.
They were a peaceful, industrious, intelli-
gent tribe, causing no apprehensions to
white settlers, and it was evident that if
they were unmolested they would in a few
years settle down quietly to agricultural
occupations The real motive of their re-
moval has never appeared, but for some
unexplained reasons it pleased the agents
of the Indian Bureau to evict them, and
this step was taken entirely without their
consent, in opposition to their most earnest
circumstances, and in defiance of their
rights under the treaty. But now, after
they have suffered untold pain and misery,
it is exultantly stated by the Indian Bureau
that they only want to be let alone where
| they are; that they prefer the poor and
insalubrious lands on to which they were
forced, to the rich and pleasant territory
from which they were driven; that they
| look upon their Boston friends as pestilent
Intermediates, and upon the Government
which has done them SO much injury, as
their friends; and last, though not least
astonishing that they are eager to accept
a proffer of $4,000 in settlement of their
claims to lands which are admitted to be
worth at least 5000, 0OO 1t must be adj
mitted that this sudden and unexpected
change in the attitude of the Poncas ought
not to be accepted without full explana-
ton, and that the statements of their
chiefs at Washington ought to be very
carefully examined and verified before
being acted upon.