The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1897-12-24
Indian War Resolutions.

Indian War Veterans passed the follow
ing resolutions:
Whereas. In the early settlement OF
the country that now constitutes the
States of Oregon and Washington the
Of the regular troops OF the
United States service stationed in these
was too email TO be able TO
furnish sufficient protection to the
White Settlers to protect them in their
lives ard property:from the depreciation
If the savage foe; and that whenever au
attack was made by several combined
Indian tribes at the same time upon the
Whites, it became necessary and i'm.
perative for the local governments from
time to time to call upon the Settlers for
Volunteers to aid in protecting the
homes OF Pioneers from obstruction ard
the Settlers themselves from indiscrim-
mate murder OF men, women and child
rem in the most tortuiing and barbarous
manner. The Pioneers always respond.
ed to such calls With patriotic spirit.
Although poorly equipped with arms.
and provision, they took the
field to chastise the Indians and secure
for their wives and children homes that
would be free from future attacks. In
the discharge of this duty they ere ex-
posed to inclement winter weather in an
open bleak country, with no shelter but
thin muslin tent. or the south side Of
q sage bush, at the same time gathering
much Of their provision from country
that had been raided and ransacked by
hands OF hungry Indians, and at times
being compelled to subsist on horse meat
ss their principal diet. About four
fifths of these who volunteered in these
Indian wars have passed off the stage OF
action, and those who remain are ali
old and infirm, not able by Labor to earn
for themselves q living. as the youngest
are now over sixty years OF age, it being
now forty.one years since the close oil
the war of 1855 and 1856, and many OF
those now living. by exposure while IN
the service, contracted diseases which
medical skill canuot cure, if they had
the means to employ such. Besides
this the pay they finally received from
the Government was only q small part
of what was promised them by acts OF
;erritoria, legislatures. Theee Foiun
teers were from the Pioneers who had
lett the states east of the Missouri River,
crossed the plains, mountains and des-
srts for some two thousand I'VE hundred
mlles, which required from five to nine
months to make the journey, expecting
ths g ,versment to give them donation
of so OF $40 acres. But when they made
90 Element upon their claims they we're
compelled to buy the land from the
indians. who claimed to hold the title
! and with ~hom the Government hsJ
NOT vet made any treaty There ha:
osen mucE opposition to granting a fail
compensation to the Volunteers in the
war of 1856 and 1856. because they
would not muster into the regular ser
vice of the United States and piac,
themselves under the command Of the
regular officers Of the army. Thes'
Volunteers had been in this country
some time and had become familiar
with the mode of warfare the Indian,
employed and knew that in order Il
conquer them 1t required th'
same mode Of warfare the Indians used
and they believed it would be folly /,
try to conquer the Indians by lighting
them the way civilized nations a ght oae
another, and as the war progressed il
demonstrated that the Volunteers were
correct in their opinions. for before tbs
Regulars got fairly in the fisld the Vol
unteers had the Umatillas, Walla Wailas
Klickitats and she Yackimss conquered
and driven out of their native lands
The fact is, tina. the Volunteers did
astly more towards keeping the Indians
this Coast in subiection than all tbs
regular troops ever in the service OF this
country. Therefore bs it
Resolved, ] hat those Indian War Vet
Grads who are still alive are by every
sense of honor and justice entitled TO re-
ceive from the General Government lib
eral pensiones to assist sad relieve them
in their last declining days, and We res
pectfulIy asK the President and the
members OF the United States Senate
and the Speaker and members Of the
House of Representatives to take up and
pass Senate Bill No 344 or House BIZ No
10 at an early date OF this session OF the
55th Congress. And We especially cal.
upon the delegation in Congress from
this Coast to use all honorable means TO
secure aid and relief to all Indian War
Veterans who served IN any Indian War
on this Coast prior to the year 1857.
Resolved, That We have 500 copies Of
this Preamble and Resolution printed,
and one Of the same be sent to each
member in the Congress of the United
States.
On motion the same was unanimously
adopted, and on motion 500 copies were
ordered printed and sent to each member
in tie Congress Of the United States.
0aa Of sha .-.,...k ,nvantinDa q. ann