Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-12-02
rHR WESTERLY IDEA OF DEALING
WITH INDIANS.
New York Sun. |

NeWeli OF w aSuiDgtoii ASi'iNo1s az
his recent biennial message. SO far
the Indians have given up their for
mer hunting grounds only after bar
barous and bloody wars. y treach-
erous and suspicious race. they have
been cheated and imposed on by the
white men during the whole OF the
settlers advance; and after every
fresh encroachment Of the Western
pioneers they have murdered and
robbed aud fought with rage and des-
peration, only TO be overpowered and
beaten in the end. until they have
been scattered aud frightened, and
sullenly retired within the narrowed
limits OF the regions allotted TO them
by the Government under the name
OF reservations. From time 10 time
there have been outbreaks by parties
Of restless and unmanageabic young
braves. who dcficd the authority OF
their chiefs, but these, one after an
other meeting with the same punish
mcnt, have died away until the only
tribe that still are ungOyernable are
the Apaches. All the rest are peace
full ana settled on their reservations,
and perhaps even the Apaches under
the present arrangement will never
give any more trouble. The North
western Indians are pretty thoroughly
awed by the certainty OF failure in
any further attempt al warfare, SO
that many Of them even hesitate 10
come to the borders OF their new
hunting grounds. If the existing In
dian treaties should continue to be
observed, and il the Indians should
not be disturbed in their preseat hold
ings. there might be peace for an in
definite time, perhaps until they
should be brought over TO civllza-
ton. Bat the " hite men in the West
look with envy upon every acre oc-
cupied by the savages which is not
desert land Much Of the reserved
territory is fertile, or known or
thought to contain valuable minerals
and the energetic Westerner. cannot
bear to see a rich soil unimproved,
This sentiment is excellently express
ed by Governor Newell:
Thirteen thousand Indians Occu
py fifteen reservations, which con
tain seven millions of acres Of the
best agricultural, grazing, timber and
mineral lands Of the Territory. using
them variously for hunting, fishing,
farming and strolling; besides the use
of which they receive liberal assist
ancc from the Government in the
guardianship Of agents. the benefit
of physicians, medicines, hospitals,
schools, and teachers. with donations
for food, clothiIg and implements
for forest and land. They cannot
make proper use of their vast domain
and do not appreciate their advan-
tages, while its possession and occu-
patton are lost to- a large body of
Americans. who by cultivation would
make it highly productive. 1t would
conduce greatly to the good of the
people if the Government would ne
gotiate for the return of these valu-
able lands; abolish tribal relations;
place Indians on the same footing
with other people in securing share
of the public lands. making their
landed possessions inalienable for a
proper period; abolish the present
Indian system with all its ccmplica-
tons and cost, remanding all Indians
to the operation OF the laws by which
other people are governed.
Immigration is pouring in upon
us, end these lands are needed now
for intelligent husbandry. The pres
ent plan requires the expenditure of
much money, cultivates lazy. vaga-
bond life, incomprehensib!e to people
who do not witness their manner OF
living, which is utterly Inconsistent
with American habits, and delays the
rescue of the Indian from the abomi-
nations Of his savage state. The pub
lie sentiment of the people of this
Territory is unanimously in favor OF
the change as proposed"
No doubt Governor Newell is ri ght
when he declares this to be the gen
eral sentiment Of the inhabitants of
Washington Territory. They want
the land and they want the Indians
to 90. But it is pretty certain that
all negotiations for the total surren,
der of their reservations would either
be useless or lead to another long
period OF murderous warfare, such
as now seems happily terminated
Taking away the reservations and
then civilizing the savages may be a
quicker way of arriving at desirable
result than civilizing them on their
own ground, but it is of very doubt
full expediency. 1t is too great rev.
olution to accomplish without pro-
ducing damaging and fatal disturb
ances. Besides, is Is pot necessary.
Any one who doubts the practical
bility of Indian civilization need only
go to the valley Of the Jocko and of
the st. Ignatius Mission. in the Flat
Head Reservation, to see well stocked
cattle ranches and farms in prosper
Gus and peaceful cultivation. belong
ing to the Flat Heads. All the assist
ance given to them by the Govern.
ment is a small amount of agricul;u-
raj machinery, through the agent,
MAJOR Roman; but the most active
and effective influence at work among
them comes through the Jesuit Faith
ers. who have been in the valley since
1854. But the system of cultivation
there is in a state far less satisfactory
than II ought TO be. owing to the un-
certainty among the natives as TO
their possessions. One of the most
prosperous farmers in that region,
when asked recently by what title he
held his farm, said: by no title.
We need no title among ourselves,
but a man has very little courage to
and develop his land when
he doesn't know how soon il may be
taken from him by your Government"
The characteristics chiefly displayed
by those who have managed the In.
dian question for the last twenty
years have been villainy and stupid.
ity. Still the savages have been
fought into state of quiet They
will stay quiet provided they are
made 10 understand that they are no
longer 10 be cheated and robbed of
their lands and are 20 be protected