New-York tribune., 1890-04-20
THE INDIAN QUESTION. EAST AND VEST

THE JyDT4y Question: EAST md VEST
Some of our esteemed Colorado contempo-
rarics unable TO answer the arguments we have
made in opposition to the Ote E'lc,ioh Dill,
content themselves with advancing the general
allegation that the Eastern press Is near-slght-
cd There is some truth IN thls' Dut as Inc
Denver Republican" has CONSIDERABLY sald, IL
does not apply to THE TRIBUNE. we unuer-
stand all the Western objections to Indians
and thoroughly sympathize with them. they
are ant TO be expressed little too harshly ana
TO be applied too generally, but IN the man
they are true Excepting a small traction OF
the race. they are a miserable lot OF creatures
ignorant and hostile 10 every improving III
Guencc: savage and bent on belng savage
sbocbinply filthy in their habits and manners;
lazv ~ q degree that is cXaspcratlns; super
stirious rcsentful and treacherous lhese
facts are we know. foolishly disputed by many
Eastern people whose philanthropy and just
indignation at the white man S historical mis-
conduct with regard to the Indians have led
them to adopt false notions, both as 10 west
crn sentiment and as to the Indian character.
We deprccate exceedingly these mistakes ana
misunderstandings. They are in every way
burtful. They bring about a conflict between
sections Of the country whose honest aims are
really identical. and they furnish an excuse
for the follics and impositions that have been
50 continuously practi,ed at Washington.
II is immensely important that all Eastern
philanthropists should obtain clear ana ac-
curate notion of the Indian nature rs we have
sketched it. II is equally important that they
should realize that the Western people as BODY
arc not selfish or malicious III their treatment
of the red race. On the other hand it is i'm
ror,ant that the Western people should look
hovond their noses and should sec, first that
,bo Indians present character and condition
have resulted largely from the dishonest
and shameful policy which has been pursued
toward him by the Government; and second
that despite this policy, many thousands OF the
race who have been perSiStcntly surrounded
with good influences are to-day Intelligent ma
useful men, living pure lives and accomplish
ING results in progress and industry so excel
lont * 10 he conclusive evidence OF the race S
canocity for civilization and self government.
Now if these facts were fairly digcsted on both
sides of the Mississippi the country would soon
la actively engaged in an educational work
among the Indians which no diScouragements
no tribes no reservations no chiefly authority
no modicnc-men, no systematic paupcrsii-
nothing that now works so strongly to preserve
vice ignorance. superstition and lazlnesS among
the Indian population. The Indians would bo
received into the citizenship of the Nation, ana
the "Indan problem would be heard OF no
more.
II is because we are sure OF this. and because
we are profoundly anxious that the crimes ana
mistakes of the past shall not be repeated IN
anv single instance 10 tho prejudice OF this
work of redemption, that we implorc Congress
not 10 pass the Eviction bill. II seeks to carry
out "A most disrcputablc business, though that
is not the worst Of il. II is a renewal OF nearly
everything that is particularly odlous IN our
past policy. II creates another reservation
when the effort should be to blot out all roscrva-
tions. 1t makes another treaty. when the prin-
ciple should be 10 recognize the Indians as OF
us not apar; from us. IT magnlfies the Ute
chiefs. when il is vital necessity 10 level all
chiefs and 10 make our law the red mans law
II rcncwS the obligation to supply su>tcnance,
when the prime duty of the Government i 10
make an end of Indian paupcri>n Its pro-
visions are all just what they ought not TO be-
We cntrcat Congress not to pass this bill