Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1916-03-24

one suppose that the Boomers Fer
ny climate is different from what it
was a hundred years ago. At that
rate, we soon will have to get the
poor Eskimo out of his ice houses
and bring him to California;
Is it better houses? If the gov
eminent can build houses for them
on the Colville Reservation, why
could it not do it where they are
today.
Is it better land? Ayel their land
is too good for them, they cannot
cultivate it as well as others could,
thence some envious eyes-No, this
is not the reason for their removal.
Is it more land? Why it has been
said they could not even take care
of what they have.
Where are then the so great ad-
vantages they would derive?
On the other hand, there are some
disadvantages; and first of all, the
mixing up with other Indians who
are not as good, amongst whom
mortality is lower. This alone should
counterbalance all other advantages,
were there any, for mortality is the
best, the only safeguard of the In
dams.
And then, there is the immense
sacrifice they would havetomakein
sacrifice they would have to make
in leaving their homes, their father
land, those hills and woods they
know so well, their church they
have built themselves, their little
graveyard where the bones of their
fathers and mothers rest in peace.
Do all these things count for so
little in life as to oblige a whole
people to give them up without very
weighty reasons?
Since writing my first letter to the
Herald some time ago, 1 have visit
ed this camp, and 1 have learned
from the Indians themselves how
, grieved they were of this blow they
received from the whites; it may
be intended in all kindness and
only in view of their good, but
they surely do not take it that way
they see in it only an endeavor of the
white to get rid of them. when
the white men came, they say, we
\ received them kindly and gave them
land. We could have said this lanc
| was ours, and kept the white mar
= out, as we used to keep other In
dams out. But we wanted to b'
friends with the white man; W.
Q traded with him and gave him ;
he lob
p everything we had, and given us no
: thing for it, he wants to kick vi
: out" Are they right or wrong?
To call absurd the claim that tn,
r. Indians own the land by priorit!
:. of occupation, is to show little know
n ledge of the state of Indian affairs
q all through North America. Hav'
: not the United States government
s everywhere as much as possible
o bought the lands from the Indians
II by formal treaties? Is not the Can
v adian government doing the sam
r. today? The monies paid the Indians
Il are they not payments for thei
l. lands as formally stipulated in man.
= treaties? Are not the Indians o
p British Columbia before the highes
+ court of the land today for the sam'
n question? This has been the polio.
followed all over North America.
Now, where is the treaty between
the government and these Indians
But in the absence of treaty, ma.
be there is the right of conquest
If conquest, by what war? Whel
: was there any war with these In
dams? The white man came, helpe'
himself and never gave a cent TO
. what he took.
Surely then, the government ha
duties towards this band of Indians
" Duties, not as towards children VIII
are not responsible, but as peopl
; to people; duties, not as the dut,
. of giving aims to a starving begger
but duties in strict justice. AM
the white man can rest assured tina
y whatever good is done the Indian
in this spirit, the Indians will un
=. derstand it and appreciate it.
Yours very truly,