| OCR Text |
Show In a country situated like this, surrounded on every side by one belt of a thousand miles uninhabited save by the most warlike Savages, who are continually traveling to and fro, infusimg their hostile feelings contracted in other localities into each other's bosoms, among indians where no peaceful influence leading on toward civilization or the formation and protection of society has ever exercised an influence, is it a matter of surprise there should be an occasional outbreak? or that it is a matter requiring great patience, perseverance, and considerable expense to exercise a genial influence and induce to peaceful avocations such a wild horde of untamed savages. I consider that it should not thus be deemed but on the contrary that nothing less could be reasonably expected. I do not therefore feel discouraged in regard to meeting with difficulties, in pursuing "the peaceful policy" towards them and I still believe that it will in the end be found far the most effectual and economical in this Territory. If the leaders of the present disturbances could be taken and secured, it would not at this time even create an excitement worthy of notice among the Indians; indeed, many of them say that nothing would please them better; this however is doubtful, for they naturally empathize with each other, and feel a common interest against the encroachments of the whites, whom they (with some show of justice) consider a common foe. |
