Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1890-12-12
NO CAUSE FOR ALARM.

The sensational and exaggerated re-
ports that have been sent out all over the
country regarding the Indian trouble
will undoubtedly retard settlements in
the northwest to some extent, but it will
be of short duration. The promptness
of the government in massing troops at
points of threatened outbreak has re-
newed the confidence of the frontier
settlers, and there is no longer cause for
alarm in any portion of North Dakota.
It is natural that settlers living Lear the
reservations, no matter how familiar they
may have been with the Indians hereto
fore, should have become alarmed during
past few weeks. There have been SO
many rumors of threatened trouble that
even the old-time, sturdy frontiersman
has reasoned that "where there is SO
much smoke there must be some fire."
But as a matter of fact, there isn't a
particle of danger anywhere in North
Dakota. Even if an outbreak had been
inaugurated at Standing Rock the re-
f~ractory Indians would not have bothered
the settlements to the east and north.
They would undoubtedly have made for
the Bad Lands, taking, not the lives of
the settlers, but such of the live stock on
the way as might be desired for the CON-
fort of their stomachs. But even this
possibility should be averted by the gov
eminent. The Indians should be dis
armed. There wi | then be no fears
whatever, entertained by the settlers and
stockr- en- of southwestern North Dakota,
and there will be no hesitancy on the
part of new settlers coming into the
country.
Governor Miller, during the past few
weeks, has received scores of letters and
petitions from timid persons all over the
state. Some ask for guns, some, as in
the vicinity of Devils Lake, ask for the
retention of soldiers at that garrison,
while others claiming to live on old Sioux
trails, fear visiting bands from one tribe
to another will commit depredations.
While anxious not to appear stolid and
indifferent to the requests of his petit
TONERS and conscious of the earnestness
and sincerity of their requests, the gov
ernor has fastened to place himself in
communication with the war department
and with each section most exposed to
any possible trouble, and through infor.
nation received from every reliable
source, he has been able to give the peo-
pie every assurance of perfect safety in
life and property. Plenty of troops have
been moved to the vicinity of the Indian
reservations and General Miles assures
the people, through the executive, that
every effort will be made to restrain any
attempt at an outbreak and protect the
lives and property of the settlers.
Exaggerated reports should be dis
couraged. The reports sent to the gov
ernor and the military authorities should
be as accurate as possible and not based
upon g%roundless rumors. The spreading
OF false reports not only works an injury
to the country, but is a crime against the
settlers who in several instances already
noted, have suffered untold agony OF
mind and sacrifice of property on &C.
count of it.
Let us hope that when the present ex-
citement has vanished, those eastern pa
pers that have boon so greedy for that
class of news that hurts the country so
much. will be as magnanimous in devot-
ing a few columns to a truthful descrip-
lion OF the country's advan tages, it's pos
sibilities, and statistics of the crop and
stock reports. 1t is hoped that the force
OF that old scriptural command-"return
good for evil"-will be realized and that
with contrite hearts the sensational news
paper correspondents will at least on
deavor to make amends.
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THE committees have been named by