Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-10-13
The Indians Must Go.

some Of the Western papers are per-
sisteut in their agitation Of the PROPOSE
ton % open up the Indian Territory for
settlement. There seems 70 be no defect
fin the title Of the Indians to the lands.
The territory was solemnly decided by
treaties with the different tribes in ex-
change for other lands. Il seems that
now as the Indians are becoming civilized
and promise 70 disprove the old claim that
they were frreclaimable sayages, the en-
HANGED value Of their lands from improve
ment and the proximity Of white settle
meuts. have excited the cupidity Of thou
sands besides those adventurers, who.
under Capt. Payne, have given the gov
| eminent 50 much trouble.
While the Republicans are searching
the land for campaign material some Of
them have hit upon the Indian Territory
question. and a recent number Of the st.
Louis Globe Democrat takes the Congress
men from Missouri severely to task for
not working for the opening Of the Terri
tory. II says. 'Within a short distance
1 or II. Louis is the Indian Territory, ca
/ pabIe Of sustaining population as large
as any OF the States Of the Union. All the
physical conditions necessary TO a great
| state. except population, are % be found
there. Its settlement and development
| would undeniably add millions 10 the
/ trade OF It. Louis and other Missouri
cities. But it might as well be desert
immigration being excluded, and Of
| course production practically prohibited,
with the consequent interchanges Of trade
| and commerce. How long would Chic 90
! permit such a territory living at its back
door TO remain unOccupied and unproduc-
tive:'
Here the old plea that the Indian Ter
ritory lies In the way Of civilization and
/ 0bstructs its progress, which has been the
| usual cry OF those who favor its opening
| for settlement. has been Abandoned. The
| open ground is taken that it would be
millions Of dollars in the pockets of It.
| Louis and other Western cities to rob the
Indian tribes Of their lands and force them
% admit 10 their beautiful country hordes
| of adventures, who would not only soon
imp0verish and ruin them, but who proba-
DIV would soon seize some pretext to ex-
terminate them altogether.
The most artlul Of those who cOvet the
broad areas Of the Indian Territory are
those who contend that the tribes should
be forced to partition the lands TO the
Indians in seyeraIty and to abolish
! the tribal titles. II this were done
shrevvd men would soon be able 70 trade
many Of the Indians out Of their posses
sions. and then series of prosecutions
could easily be inaugurated that would
force the others to sell out for very made
quate prices, and break up the hopeful
governmental systems under which thou
sands Of savages have become well-to-do.
educated and industrious people.
lis gratifying to know that the agita-
tors have not made much Roadway 50 far,
i aud there is little likelihood Of the Indian
| Territory being sOOnOpened to the whites
| unless the Indians themselves adopt the
system Of partition now advocated by the
wOuld-be invaders.
The attempt Of this Republican paper
To use this question TO prejudice the peo-
pie OF Missouri against the Democratic
| congressman from that State Will fail
The Republicans have a fine record as
| land robbers. but they have done nearly
all their land stealing from the govern
ment, and hence they can expect little
sympathy even from those who want TO
seize on the Indian Territory land.