Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1939-04-22
Br .MoN TANA. LoU GILL


W1HE WAR department OF the
United States government,
q following the Wounded Knee
battle, announced in the spring OF
1891 that it would be the policy OF
the department to disarm the In
dams. The work was begun. How
ever, it is recorded that the pro-
gram of Indian disarmament was
so listlessly prosecuted that it be-
came a matter of surprise in east
ern Montana and the western Da-
kotas that work of that character
should be performed in such an I'M
satisfactory manner. Agitation for
disarming the Indians was strong IN
the Indian infested areas of the north
west. On the other hand, there was
group of people called Indian sym
pathizers" who were reported TO have
been influential IN preventing Inc
prosecution Of the announced policy. II
was apparent that change OF attl-
tude on the part Of the department
had taken place.
Intercepted by the governor OF
South Dakota, General Morgan, com
missioner of Indian affairs, gave his
viewpoint. General Morgan had been
urged to disarm the Indians, stating
that the reasons for disarmament were
obvious and weighty. that is, TO pre-
vent them from going on the WarpaCh'
and to quiet the fears of the settlers.
"If I thought there was really Sc
rious danger Of any considerable num- /
Der Of Indians going upon the war
path." wrote the commissioner, OF
that the surest way Of preventing any
Indians from becoming hostile was 70
disarm them all, I should be very SLOW |
to interpose any objection 10 the
IF I felt that white settlers we're in
any serious danger of attack by the I
Indians and was convinced that their
safety demanded the action above sug-
pested, I could not well resist 1t.
He DEGREES Danger
"BlIt. as far as my knowledge eX-
tends, I can hardly say / believe tnere
is now any serious danger OF an IN
dian uprising. believe the Indians 70
be for the most part inclined 70 70, peace
and averse to war. They are SufficlenI-
" intelligent to understand at WnaI
a fearful disadvantage they would be
In a war with the United States. Iney
know our vast resources, and are more
conscious of their own weakness.
Moreover, many reasons which nave
existed among them for discontent can
be, and by congressional ACTON, Juse
had will be removed. The settlers IN
the vicinity of the reservations nave
been frightened, and not without rea-
son. and vet during all the excitement,
and in spite Of bitter provocation, the
indians have attacked no white peo-
pie In their homes, nor, so lar as l
know, have they seriously threatened |
their peace. Those who have Deen' OF
are really hostile should unquestlon-
ably be disarmed But during the late
trouble in Dakota, the great BODY OF /
sioux were friendly, and the Innocent
should not suffer for the guilty.
sHTo make no distinction in the treat
nent of Indians who took part In the
hostilities and those who renamed
loyal. many of them suffering for their
LOYALTY. would be an act Of injustice,
which an Indian is as quick TO recog-
nize and resent as a white man..
General Morgan said 1t would be
great hardship for the Indians TO lose
their arms. They needed them N
slauphtering cattle, in hunting and In
their sports. He then touched upon q
matter which disclosed a motive winch
NAV have been entertained by willte
att is with some hesitation" con-
tinI1ed the general, "that say 1t only
after verv careful elaboration, and
with sincere sorrow that 1t must De
said. that I greatly fear that the IN
dams would not be safe, either IN
their persons or their property, II ~
were known that they were enCneIy
without self-defense.
For Their Own Protection
Recent sad events IN Dakota, WneIe
It is said that women and little chill
dren were shot down by soldiers OF the
United States army, and others were
ambushed and slain without provoca-
ton by citizens have shown us now
pitiless and defenseless these poor Gre
atures might be if wholly unarmed ana
unable to protect themselves.
ITO disarm the Indians generalIy
and leave the whole body OF sioux
smarting under a sense OF helpless
ness and wrong would tend to produce
among them a widespread feellng OF
Irritation, unrest and distrust, disas-
trous not only to the peace and prop
erty Of the Indians, but liable IN II
self to bring about the very danger
which the disarming Is intended TO
prevent. For should the arms that they
now possess be forcibly taken from
them, there is nothing either in the
law or In the habits Of the people sur
rounding them to prevent them from
arrning themselves anew at the earnest
opportunity by purchasing from Ine
whites all the arms and ammunition
which they are able to pay for.
ssThe prevention of future trouble