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Show THE IXIUAX I'ROBLEM. ilonr (be Mormons IUtc Dealt with trie Question. The solution of trio Indian question ques-tion has been thug far one of extreme ex-treme difficulty, but we believe the Mormons have come neartr to it than any other people As the wnter was for many years intimately intimate-ly connected with it in Utoli) where the settlers, from the Brst, were obliged to face the problem and solve Ussiest they could, a brief sketch of the Mornicn method, w hlch has proved so successful, may lc of interest to the readers of the Star. The Mormon settlers -of Utah in 1617 faced difficulties of unusual magnitude; surrounded on every si Je by Indian tribes for a thousand miles aud utterly without help In time of danger, they quickly developed de-veloped that faculty lorFclf government govern-ment and self support for which they are so noted, I At that time Ctah belonged to Mexico, but the settlers immediately immediate-ly raised the United States flag upon Knslgn Peak near the city of Salt take, and proclaimed the Territory of Descret as they styled it an integral part of the United States. They organized a provisional government, gov-ernment, adorted a republican constitution con-stitution like that of other States, andseat a deputation with it to Washington praying for admission into the great family of States. This was not immediately granted, grant-ed, and for three years Deserct was under a provisional governmenljbut In 1S50 Congress granted hern Territorial Ter-ritorial organization under the name of Utah. Frcm the beginning, the settlers organized as Infantry, cavalry aud artillery; and during IS 19 waged a blody war with the Timpany Ulcs which resulted re-sulted la their complete humiliation. Bloody wars ensued in 1S53 with the Utah tribe, and again in 1SS1, In which over ('K) settlers were slain aud $3,000.0iw expense and damage was sustained by them. Had it not been for their admirable organization they must haTe suffered suf-fered far more or been driven from thecoiintry. In all these cntly wars the U. S. Government never ex-eudeil ex-eudeil a dollar nor aided thestttlers by a single soldier. Rut there is compensation in all tilings. It is an eminently true adage that "Stormy sens make good sailors." The settlers, left to fac-the fac-the storm alone, did so manfully and skilfully. AH able-bodied males from sixteen years of age and upward up-ward were organized as Infantry, cavalry and artillery; and, disciplined disci-plined by numerous veterans who had previously seen military service, ser-vice, became a very efficient force. In addition to those, another force, answering cicely to the German Uhlans, or the Cossacks of Russia, was organized, having a detachment In eviiy town and village. They were styled minute men. Each man had a horse, saddle and bridle, arms aud ammunition kept constantly on hand, ready for instant service, day or night; and was to start on campaign on thirty minutes' notice all at bis own expense. In time of dnuger the minute men wire constantly In the saddle, while the regular inrantry served as guards for settlements, mills, and hem's of stock. Often at the midnight hour or while engaged in divinu service word came of an Indian raid: and Instantly tho minute man took his horse and arms, a few jiounds of home made crackers tied to his saddle, a blanket and canteen, can-teen, and away he went In pursuit, pur-suit, never giving it up as long as there was any possibility of success'. Upon one occaslon.'the liter, then a minute man, 'w as one ofaiarty of thirty who pursm-d a band of northern Indians three days and nigbU without an ounce of food, not having taken nny with them nor even waited foran hour to cat dinner. They could not afford to wait; In Indisn wars every hour counts; one hour may give you success suc-cess or defeat, Xo waitin for sap-plies sap-plies of food, nor tents, nur baggage, but a few crackers aud a tingle blanket; no marching of IS or 20 miles and then camp; but like the tireless deer-hound they kept the trail and pushed the enemy to the last extremity. An Indian resrerts such a foe and htsitates to altar); him; he respects an enemy Just in proiiortion to his power of offense and defence. That is his only standard. For these reasons Rrigham Young a I vised the settlers to be always armed when away from the settle-ment settle-ment Hunting stock, hauling wood, or at w ork in the fields, men went armed. When Parowan was settled in 1S5I, 21 miles from Salt Lake City the people built in fort form; strongly tallsadtd and heavy gatts closed at dusk. They kept a regular military guard in the fort with pickets stationed on a hill not far away, and ent the" cow herd out each day with a will armed guard, and another with the horse herd. Sundays men went to melting melt-ing armed, their rifl-s standing, between be-tween their knees during service. Why? Because if Indians should make a sudden dash they would find no arms In the dwellings to capture and the whites would be ready for For twenty five years the writer was a participant of such scorns, and knows it was by tills constant vigilance tnat the settlers were able to hold their own. But there was another Important factor of safety. Urigham Voun early ga ve the key note of hl I ndlan policy as follows: He said, ''Re kind and just to them; do not defraud; do not lie or speak to them with a forked tingue; always do as you promise or threaten; make your word good. When they find they can depend upon your word, either for reward or punishment, they will listen to yon. Be always ready for war with your powder dry, but always al-ways striveor peace. Treat them kindly. lt make them respect you: do not let them run over you. Remember Re-member it Ls 'cheaper to feed them than to fight them. Do not destroy their game or Ash; it Js theirs; buy it of them. That gives them something some-thing to do and encourages them in self support." This was the Mormon policy, and it was most successful. The settlers also used other means with the nations. They adopteJ many boys and girls, clothed and schooled them, taught them trades, taught the men to farm, gave them teams, wagons and farm tools and taught them t3 use them. Today many Indians In Utah own farms and orchards and they are prettv good farmers, with gctfd bouses, wagonfc aed Corses And cattle. Thev hive abandoned tribal relations, rela-tions, and are; becornlng dvlliied. Bo far as concerns this portion of the 6nce dreaded trit-0 of Utes, the Indian In-dian Vueeiiou is settled. Indians Oho own real estate, houses and farms, lose their nomadic h&blts and jasslon for war, for they have much to lose and little to gain, and their children grow up more and more amenable to civilization. J Jl. it m Tveton Atvona) Star, JunelUh. |