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Show PLAINS AND MOUNTAINS. 219 ring to the murder of Lieutenant Daniels, of the i8th Infantry, and a few soldiers who were the only parties killed up to that time, he says u their death must be avenged next summer." General Sherman is not noted for using idle words for effect ! Since his report was sent in the atroci ties have been increased ten- fold, which will doubtless result in a ten- fold sterner policy on the part of that distinguished officer, more particularly if the Bureau is made a part of the War Department, for in his report he seems fearful lest he should come in conflict with some of the treaties of the Secretary of the Interior. He does not, however, hesitate to forbid the sale of arms to Indians when the Indian Com missioner has authorized it. The reader can well imagine the disgust of officers on the frontier, after learning the particulars of the massacre of our personal friends, when we read in the newspaper tele grams from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs discrediting the published accounts of the outrage ; and when forced to believe them, other telegrams, to the effect that there must have been some misunderstanding, or the Indian would not have been so naughty j and then again, others that he has requested an investigation into the matter by Congress that justice may be done to the Indian as well as the military. How decid edly cool, when the lives of hundreds and thousands are in-jeopardy because of the confidence imparted to the savages by their success in the fearful massacre which the Indian Bureau would justify if possible. It is my opinion that the present generation of Indians can be taught but little idea of moral obligations ; that they cannot be christianized, as at present situated ; and the only alternative remaining is to punish them for their crimes,, and keep them in constant fear of further punishment, if they dare offend, until the settlers in the Indian country be come sufficiently numerous to defend themselves. THE END. |