Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1885-05-28
TO BE RE-oARR1soNDD.

"A Telegram reacneu tnis P'Aeo t"'o
week to the effect that Gen. Miles stated
that the Lapwai. post was to be re-gar
risoned soon. We have before heard on
several occasions that two companies Of
cavalry were expected to bc here at Lap
val portion Of the summer-more par
ticularly for the purpose Of obtaining
good grazing grounds for their horses.
This was stated without any connection
with the idea Of re-garrisoning tho post
which left the impression that their move
menta were not for the protection and
defense Of the Indians, but merely for
the purpose of obtaining better feed for
their animals, aud that when the good
grazing disappeared they would return to
Walla Waila and there remain at the
pest and 50 into winter quarters thera'
But from tho inference drawn from the
late telegram, il is now believed that the
IApwai post is to be permanently rc-gar.
Tisoned with two or more companies.
The question has arisen in the minds
Of many why this sudden change Of pro-
grammc; some have supposed that it has
been made from orders received from the
war department, a. q matter Of precau-
<ion against danger which might arise on
the happening Of Joseph's return from
the Indian Territory. Joseph's band Of
Indians, We learn, left for this country on
tho 22nd Of May, and the agent at Lap
wal was telegraphed for from Washing.
ton to proceed to Wallula to receive the
band; the department having selected
those that should come to the Lapwai re-
serve and those that should go to Col.
ville.. It may DO possible that the war
department has acted on their fears lest
the return Of Joseph and his band to this
reservation would cause trouble and per-
haps lead to blood shed again between
the whites aud the Indians. If that be
- It certainly was not tho result Of Gen.
Miles policy. From information we
have, Gen. Sheridan has always thought
since the Nex Psrce war that tho lap
wai post should not only not be abandoned
but should remain we'll garrisoncd in case
Of trouble, as well rs 70 prevent trouble.
This was evidenced not only by his let
ters to ex-delegaic Singiser which We
published last year in the THRILLER. but
By conversation had in March with Dele
gate HALEY, ex-sheriff Ezra Baird and
John 6ilcott Of this county, and promises
70 them made BY Gen. Sheridan in
person that he would enquire into thu
matter, and that he would sec to it tia,
this Lapwai post should not BE- aban
doped but be continued, and should b,
re-garrisoncd with sufficient force 4
give the people no cause Of alarm from
any disturbances created BY the Ne,
Perccs and other Indians living near the
Mes Perez reservation. In pursuance 81
thesstatement Of Gen. Sheridan, Delegate
HALEY, Mr.. Ezra Baird and Others
caused new petition 10 DO circulated in
this section, asking the war department.
y have tho LApwai post re garrisoned.
We suppose il the telegram lately re-
ceived here has any significance Of per
mancncy il garrison for this post, i, is
the result Of the immediate and personal
application Of Delegate HALEY aud Mes.
srs Baird and Silcost to Gen. Sheridan,
and through them TO the secretary Of
war, instead Of any newspaper threats
and boasts that may have been made,
Al any rate, tho hope Of this people
surrounding the Mes Pcrcs reservation,
q we'll y the hope Of the peacsable In
dams themselves, isthat the Lapwai pos,
will SOON Be re-garTisoned. II is not be-
cause We have any fear that any success
ful uprising among these Indiana will
take placc, but - . preventive againss
isolated Indian murderes - well a
against aggressionsof any class Of white
men upon the rights Of Indians. We
feel that Uncle Sam had much better
post his troops on the frontier where
there might be danger than to keep them
garrisoncd for the purpose Of drill in civ
ilized warfare At Vancouver and NalIa
Walla, and for drcas-parades. We do
not believe in Uncle Sans being at the
expense Of maintaining standing army
ostensibly to protect the frontier against
Indians. when they place not this army
where they can act as minute men to re-
sist Indian uprisiags or Indian attacks.
The civilians who have smigrated from
the east TO this northwest coast and
staked thsir al in opening up this coun-
Try, that they should be required in add.
tion to the labou of subduing the soil
and forests and making the country ct to