WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1858
471
from the agents of the United States, or from our border men, or our soldiers. If that course had been pursued by us, how could the Mormons, without resources, control the feelings of the In- dians or secure their alliance? We had the power, and if we had managed it with the same policy that they have done, the Indians would not only have consulted their interest by remaining faithful to the cause of the United States, but they would have been our allies and our friends, opposed to the Mormons. It is by extending to them kindness, friendship, hospitality, when they have an opportunity, and justice on all occasions, that you secure the con- fidence of the Indian; for it is only justice he wants. He may be a beggar, and if you refuse him alms, he has sense enough to know that it is your right. If you have ought to give him, give it graciously; for he can appreciate the manners and feelings of the white people as well as Chesterfield could in the Court of St. James. These are the considerations which influence the Indians. If you will establish trading houses with a sufficient force to give protection to the traders, and let the Indians form an inter- course there, you will secure their friendship, and you will need no army to protect your frontier. I have never yet known a frontier to be protected by stations and by forts. It might be, if the Indians knew you could pursue them successfully; but so long as they are aware that you are harmless in your fortresses, they will defy you. They are not going to stand up and let you shoot them from the fortresses; and out of them our troops are inefficient. If it is necessary on this occasion, for the Mormon war or any other purpose, I care not what, to raise an additional force, of what description should that force be? Is it to be composed of active and efficient men? Are they to be such men as could be raised in the United States? No, sir. We are told that owing to the present depression of affairs and the existing monetary de- rangement, there will be no difficulty in filling our regular Army. Of what material will that Army be formed? Who are the men that are thrown out of business. Are they not men about manu- factories? Are they not artisans about cities who have never been on the frontier? who know nothing of it? All their educa- tion, all their observation, has been confined to city life, to streets, to alleys, and to houses. They know nothing about the forest and the wilderness. They know nothing about the red man and his habits. They are not inured to active toil, to marches, and to equestrianship. These are the men, and this is the material, from
Powered by FlippingBook