The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-01-11
THE ARMY AND THE INDIANS.

From the Globe Democrats.
There is good reason to believe that If
the Indians could be placed under mill
tary control it would be better for them
in every respect, as well as for the from
tier settlers and the government. They
have wholesome regard for military
authority. and little, if any, for civil au-
thoritv. 1t has been demonstrated that
they will not work except under COM
pulsion, and that the policy of cOaxing
them to adopt the WAYS of industry is n
practical failure. When convinced that
thew must do certain things or the
soldiers will take them in hand, they be-
come tractable and obedlent: but the
sort of power that is exercised by the
civilians who are placed in charge OF
them does not seriously impress them.
They have been taught 10 believe that
the system of government provided for
them is designed only TO feed and clothe
them, and to make life as easy as posi-
BILE for them. Ii is mistake TO suppose
that they do not understand the folly of
our boosted philanthropy IN their
case. and do not know how to take
advantage of it to the utmost
extent. They see that it is unnecessary
for them to earn anything, since there Is
10 penalty Imposed foI idleness: and the
consequence is that they scornfully re-
fuse to labor and spend their time in
learning new vices and concocting new
schemes of mischief. Thus their evil
insticts are stimulated rather than re-
pressed, and there IS constant danger
that they viii 90 TO war on the slightest
pretext.
This would not be the situation IS
army officers had control and supervision
of them and they were required 70 con-
form TO military rules and methods. In
every instance where they have been
placed under military government, even
for a short time, they have shown mark
ed Improvement: and in every instance a
return to the civil plan has had con-
trary effect upon them The present
trouble Is. in a certain sense, the logical
result of the policy of kindness and
benevolence which the interior depart
ment has steadily pursued. For the past
ten years the Sioux have been dealt with
in such way as to give them the I'M
preston that they are favored people
and that the government Is
afraid of them. They have re-
ceived a generous support at the ex-
penSs of white taxpayers, and every
thing has been done. unlntentlonaliy but
none the less surely, 10 encourage the
idea on their part they are not respon-
sible for their actions, but may do as
they please, with the assurance that they
will still be taken care Of in forbearing
and liberal manner. The army Is called
upon. in other words, 10 adjust df-
ficulty that has grown directly out OF
the conditions Of attempted civil govern
ment where military control was the
only safe and proper thing We are
paying heavy price for a mistake that
might have beer and should have been
ayoided-a mistake that has been ap-
parent ell the time. and yet has been
persisted In against the lessoIls 1t e1-
perience and the dictates of common
sense. Let the army manage the In
dians IN peace as well as N war, and
these bloody outbreaks VIII cease. and
the work Of civilIzing the red race viii
90 forward in q sound and przcflcz
way. This Is the truth that needs 20 b.
gravely considered by congress as soon
as possible.