Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1883-07-28
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Special Correspondence Indepen e emf !.

WASHINGTON, ID. g., July 26th,
1883. The usual summer hegira of
those whose purses are long enough
to enable them to hegirate is practi-
cally ended, although the President
is yet here exuding perspiration at
the Soldiers Home. We're it not
for the blistering concrete with
which nearly all the streets, avenues
and sidewalks are paved. Washing
ton would be one of the most COM
Portable of summer residences, be-
cause her wide and well shaded
theroughfares admit all the breezes
that distribute them selves from the
opeu Virginia border and the al
ways breezy Chesapeake. Years
ago it was no unusual thing for Con
gress to extend its long sessions way
into August, but that was before
the Inauguration of the Newport
and Saratoga exactions upon FASH
ionable society. 1t may be, however,
that our latter-day Statesman are
not able to stand as much OF sum
mer heat as the Websters and Clays
and Calhouns of forty years ago
when iced tea and other cooling Ii
quid refreshments nursed through IA
straw were in their infancy. Wash
ington then as now took the lead in
everything pertaining to matters of
social intercourse, and the innvita-
bic dinner party Was never allow
ed to suffer interruption during the
hottest days Of the heated term,
though dancing was at a decided
discount between the months of
March and November.
The Indian problem will come in
for it's annual airing at the coming
session of Congress. by some strong
recommendations from Secretary
Teller looking to the abolition of
those customs and habits of Mr.. Lo
which have hitherto operated as
hindran ces to any approach to civil
lization. While it may be admitted
that a Congressional enattment has
no little potency in many directions,
there is cause for apprehension that
a statute prohibiting the perpetual
tion Of those customs that absolute
ly make up the existence of the In
dian will have about as much effect
as the Pope's bull against the comet.
Deprive the Indian of those saluta-
tory amusements found in the SUM-
dance, the scalp dance, the war
dance, and the horribly superstitious
conjurings Of the medicine man,
and he is deprived of all that he con
ceives it worth living for. 1t strikes
a most demoraliZing blow at his So
cial condition, and in so much stands
in the way of any attempt to invest
him with any sentiment favorable to
a civilized life. The long-haired
philanthrOpists who at distance of
a thousand miles view the Indians
as man and brother, and who
gather their notions of lis condition
from all sorts of impossible legends
and poetical romances, are satisfied
to continue him in his character of
the nations ward and encourage
him in the capacity of an able bodied
lOafer, who never in the world will
get out of the way of civilization so
long as there is a government to
feed and clothe him. Had it not
been for this mistaken public senti-
ment at the east, y long stride to-
ward civiliZing the border savage
would have been made years ago,
when the government resolved to
make the Indians go to work and
earn his living. The same measur-
es should be again adopted and thor
oughly enforced, so that if the 1ndi-
an is susceptible of being brought to
a condition of civilization it may be
demonstrated. The present public
impression is decidedly in favor of
the Congressional abolition of the
policy that makes Migrants of the
Indian tribes everywhere, and that
being done the habits and customs
that the Interior department so SOL
EMMY deprecates will depart with it.
The visit Of the President to the
Yellowstone Park country is a new
and perhaps a good departure in the
line Of Presidential junkering. 1t
will unfold to the executive eye a
region whose vastness will astound
him, and whose picturesque beauty
will delight him. The country abo-
unds in game Of al sorts, while its
lakes and streams are Overpopulated
with fish that were never fret ted by
the white mans hook or reel, To
make the journey thither and the
stay as comfortable as possible, the
Secretary of War has madr the most
elaborate preparations, including
means for the safety of the President
against possible incursions by Indi'
ans and invasions by office seekers.
The commissariat will compare IA
vorabIy with that furnished by Marc
Antony for his female compatroit
Cleopatra, so that their need be no
Apprehension in regard to the Presi'