Democratic Sentinel, Volume 2, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 December 1878 — The Indian Question. [ARTICLE]

The Indian Question.

Gen. Nelson A. Miles, the renowned Indian-fighter, was lately interviewed by a St. Paul reporter upon army matters in general and the Indian question in particular. On being asked his opinion relative to the transfer of the Indian Bureau to the War Department, the General replied: “ I don’t think it will be transferred, from the simple fact that great influence will be brought to bear to retain it in the Interior Department. The army don’t want it—at least are making no effort to secure the transfer. There can be no question that the army should have exclusive control of the Indians. Such a policy would bo for their benefit as well as for the nation at large. In this matter the only interest that the army has is that, having control, they could and would prevent the recurrence of Indian wars.” To the suggestion that the Indian problem was a vexed question, the General entered an emphatic dissent. The trouble, he said, all rose from a mistaken policy, or, rather, want of policy. The savages must be subjected to some system of control. Man in no state was governed by moral suasion, even in our cities. Among civilized communities we require police. The unruly and untamed spirits of the Indians needed the wholesome menace of such force constantly before them until they are advanced in civilization. “ Civilization, General! Can an Indian be civilized ? ” “ Why not ? The trouble has been that our people want to smother him with it, and will not permit him to come at it gradually. Not taking it as we prescribe it, we have carried on a cruel, relentless war of extermination against the Indian. Since the days of King Philip, 200 years ago, we have followed the same plan and have learned nothing.” The General explained that his scheme for the accomplishment of this result was the pastoral plan. The Indian, he said, was a savage. The first step was to make him a herdsman. From that he could be inducted into agriculture and other progressive arts. This pastoral plan has been tried with eminent and unvaried success in several instances. It is no .degradation for an Indian to tend stock, but his soul revolts at the handling of the hoe.