The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-01-03
POOR LO.

Tx plCSuht Iiiothb bIoa1eo OblPbO-
size, more distinctly than ever, the ne
cessity for II radical change in our
treatment of the aboriginal problem.
We have sacrificed hundreds Of valuable
lives, we have expended IL vast amount
of treasure, and we have accomplished
practically nothing. The Indian is not
appreclably nearer civilization than he
was fifty years ago. The milk and water
policy of the interior department must
be set down as a failure. 1t has been
dictated by hysterical men and women
and by the third sex in the eastern
states. Graded in the security Of cities
far off from the craters Of these period
ical disturbances, they have raved over
the noble red man. TO them he is the
wonderful being of Cooper's visionary
novels, a creature Of romance. His life
is OF the very essence of poetry. He
gathers in solemn dignity with his fell
low warriors around the council fire,
and smokes the calumet as he utters
contentious nothings in fiowery Ian
guage called from Hiawatha. How they
would love to take him to their bosoms,
and soothe him into restful ~forgetful-
ness of the ~villainies Of Indian agents
and short %rations. They get hold of
some treacherous, cowardly murderer
like Sitting Bull, and make q social lion
OF him, until the tickle wind veers round
in some other direction. Meanwhile,
the real Simon Pure is loafing his life
away on some reservation. encased in
dirt, squalor and unmentionable disease.
The west has had enough OF the misera-
bic ~travesty. The problem is a western
problem, it vitality affects western inter-
ests, and from the west the needed re-
lief must be dictated.
1t is not, however, necessary to rush
to the other extreme, to the policy OF
blood and extirpation. No one who
knows this country will venture to deny
that the settler has many and real
against the Indians. In too
many instances. be has seen the fruitage
patient years of industry swept
away in a few hours by Indian devilry,
and even lost those who were nearest
and dearest to him, the victims Of the
noble red mans treachery and thirst for
blood. 1t is small wonder that men
who have passed through such a wreck
OF hopes declare in most unhesitating
terms that the only good Indian is the
dead specimen. But justice is justice.
The Indian who has taken human life
ought to swing as high as Haman and
the nearest limb is the best place Of ex-
ecution. But to those who are willing
to live without violation Of the laws i'm
posed by civilized communities, we need
not deny the right to exist.
But that right must not threaten the
or the true interests of the hardy
men and women who have made this
country what it is. Whenever it does.
it must disappear. The Indians should
be disarmed. The game has disappeared
from their reservations, and they have
no lawful use for firearms. The tribal
should be broken up. As long
as The tribes are allowed to spend lives
of idleness on the reservations. and bat
ten on the charity OF the government.
so long will the reservations be breeding
grounds for mischief and rebellion. If
tne necessity exists, divide up the reser-
vations. Give the Indian his land III
seyeralty, lend him all the mechanical
assistance he needs to cultivate it. but
scatter every n of them among a col
lection Of hardy settlers. IL he has TO
work TO eat, ne will have less time for
the Matching of devilry, and his oppor-
tdnities and temptations will be more
limited. lie need not ever so be starved
to death, emergencies need not find him
cut off from assistance. but let him be
convinced that n attempt on the
lives and property of white men and
ome will result in immediate punish.
nent. Poor Lo has been too long ac.
customed TO hug himself in the belief
that each renewed disturbance means for
him hystefical sympathy and increased
r~ations. OF all that the west is tired.
and the curtain had better be runv
down.