Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1884-05-15
PORT LAPwAI-ABA NDoNMENT


look towards the certain abandonment Of
that post When We FIRST heard the re-
port that the POST was to be abandoned,
We wrote to Delegate Singiser upon the
question, protesting in behalf of the peo-
pie Of North Idaho against the abandon
ment and requesting that he confer with
the commander ia-chief, and urge our
objections. He did 40 and replied to us,
nying that Gen. Sheridan said that no
such proposition had been presented TO
him aad that be knew of the existance
Of no such ord r, and that in case such
proposition should be presented the pro-
test Of Singiser and our letter should be
properly considered. This letter Of Sing
User W published, aud since its pub!iea-
ton Gen. Sheridan's letter to Singiser
las been forwarded to US, which reads as
follows:
WAsHIsosox, DC, April l, 1884.
Hon. T. +. SIxoIsER, House of Rep
resentatives, Sir have the honor to
acknowledge receipt Of your letter Of
March 81, 1884, with enclosure from
Hoa. A. Leland, Lewiston, Idaho, and,
in reply, to say that have no knowledge
Of any contemplated abandonment Of Fort
LApvai in Idaho Territory. Since l
have been 10 command Of the army no
sach proposition has been submitted, aud
should it be proposed, l will take pleas
urc in giving your representations and
the views Of Mr.. Leland due con.idera.
tioa. Very respectfully,
p. H. SHERIDAN,
Lieutenant General.
Since the receipt Of Singisers letter
cur people have caused petition or re-
moustranse to be drawn up and generally
signed against abandonment, aud for
wardcd 70 the Secretary Of War, through
Delegate Singiser. Said remembrance
vas sgned! BY over 500 citizens in the
vicinity Of IApwai reservation. This re-
monslrance has had time to reach Wash
ington and be considered BY the Setrc AIRY
Of War But before this was sent j. p.
VOLUMES, Esq., telel ra2Aed to Senator
Dolph, . have him look into the matter
and prevent the abandonment if possible,
and o. the 9th inst. he received the fol.
lowing Dispatch in reply:
WASHINGTON, May Q, 1884.
To J. p. VoLLxER, Lewiston-No
one At the War Department appears to
know anything about rumored abandon
nsut e Fort Lapwai. J. N. DoLPn.
Notwithstanding the foregoing intel.
xgence received and known to the public
YET some strenuously contend that the
post il 70 be abandoned surely as early as
July. Of course what may be done We
cannot forstcl. But We cannot reasonably
suppose that military post which has
been established for 20 and more years,
and been done at 70 great an expense, and
been Of - much service 10 maintaining
leaceable relations between Indians and
whites, and inforcing treaty stipulations
between them would be abandou1l ut the
despotic win Of subordinate officer in
command like Gen. Miles, without assign
ing cause 70 the War Department, and
without 40 order from the War Depart.
nent and even without its knowledge,
and should an order be hereafter sought
Ne ore incliaed to believe that the con.
dition and wishes Of the settlers who have
demonstrated will have the effect to check
any hasty removal, without pressing NJ
oeaaisy, that would be apparent to all who
arc interested. II our standing army IL
maintained for the protection Of the Peo-
Pc Of tbs country, It must BE- mainly in
time 81 pesee with foreign nations, b.
required for the protection Of the frontier
settlers against Indian raids and disturb
ances, and 70 be Of any protection against
thesc, the forces should be stationed u,
near accessible points where the Indians
can be reached and not where the white
population il dense and have the means
# sflf-defense without the aid Of the U.
g. troopa To ooncentnte al troops at
Vancouver, Walla Walla and Spokane,
for the purpose Of drill, and parade, and
display, and comfort Of the officers, while
the actaal frontier is exposed, would b.
The height Of bsd policy on. the part Of
the Government and the greatest Of in
justice to the frontier settlers who are ex-
posed and unprotected. They might as
we'll keep the whole standing army a.
Washinzton City, for drill and parade,
aud vi, nce al orders should en,inate for
military novemeats in the field against
Indians in case Of an outbreak, As to keep
them At Vancouver, or Walla Walla,
when the Mes Pesees, or Salmon Rivera.
or the Sheep Eaters set out to make raids
and commit murders upon settlers The
country wants not that kind Of home pro-
lection, that has to await for relief to
come from 20 great distance and through
the long delays required for military CON-
nauders to get at the facss to justify
military movements, and the red tape, in
getting orders in proper shape. If such
y to be the army policy, the better way
would be to abolish the whole army and
ny to the people organize aud lro,ect