Year: 1873

The Modoos-Prospect OF Peace-Tho


Power OF tho Press Recognized By


tho Indians.


Our telegraphic correspondence from the


lava beds up to the LIST of March, published


yesterday, inspires hope of peaceful solu-
ton of the Modoc difficulty. Through the
agency of Mr.. Steele and the good sense of
General Candy the Peace Commissioners will
be able, probably, to make conditions with
the Indians for their surrender and removal to
q suitable reservation. But there is another
influence that has had an effect both upon the
Commissioners and the Indians-that of the
Independent press Of the country. Had it not
been for the presence Of the HERALD corre-
spondent different and less happy result
might have been decided upon. The stupid
agents who went to parley with Captain Jack
did not realize the power of the press when
they refused permission to our correspondent
to accompany them to the camp of the
Modocs. The sturdy Indians who have
given so much trouble showed more
sense. Limited as their knowledge of the
power of the press is, they knew enough to
hail the presence of our correspondent as pro-
pitious. They felt, if they did not see very
clearly, that there was light thrown upon
them and their condition which would be diff
fused over the country and compel the Com
missioners the military and the government
to act justly. The visit of the HERALD CORE
spondent, they said chad given them conf
dence that the white people meant well," tor
he had not been afraid to 60 among them and
to trust them. Ignorant as they may be, they
were aware that he had no connection with the
government, was perfectly Independent of it,
and was only there to get at the truth and to
enlighten the American people, This they
could understand and had confidence. We do
not say that the Modoc difficulty would not
have been settled peaceably had there not been
such an influence at work, though the secrecy
with which the government agents wanted
to act did not look well but we are satisfied
that the presence and determined course
of our correspondent made these Off
cials more careful to deal fairly and
justly with the Indians. General Butler or
others in Congress, and the Credit Mobilier
black sheep may denounce the press and af-
feet to be Indifferent to what it says; still it
is the great power in thI free country and
enlightened age. When governments cannot
or will not get at the truth the mission of the
modern press is to penetrate the obscurity and
to enlighten both them and the public. The
Modoc trouble is case in point, as are also the
revelations of our special Cuban correspond
ents, and as was the discovery of Dr. Living
stone. With regard to the Modocs, the most
sensible proposition to make them peaceable
and contented, with which they seem to be
well satisfied, is that of Mr.. Steele, to remove
them further south and to give every family a
little farm on which to live. We have no SYM
pathy for the turbulent and red-handed In
dian, but it is evident these Modocs have been
as much sinned against by the whites as they
have been sinners, and the strong government
of the United States can afford to be lenient
under such circumstances We recommend,
the administration at Washington to telegraph
at once to carry out the proposition of Mr.
Steele.