It may be said that they had too much permanent property in homes and farms, to allow them to engage in the war; for they knew that if they should do so, they would certainly in the end lose it all. This is undoubtedly so; and yet when Father Wilbur went among them they had none of this kind of property, but only movable property which they could carry with them even in war, as the Bannocks have done. It is a fact that Christianity gave them this property.
It may again be said that they were thoroughly whipped in 1855–6 and were afraid to engage in war again. They were thus whipped, and the remembrance of it may, even now, do them good. But in 1862–3 Gen. Crook, the noted Indian fighter, just as thoroughly thrashed the Indians in Idaho, in precisely the same region where the late war was carried on, and the praise of his effectual work is still in the mouths of the old citizens. This was seven years later than the Yakama war, and so much fresher in the minds of the Indians. No, it was evidently Christianity which prevented their joining in the war.
Gen. Howard, too, has added new laurels to his reputation. It must be remembered that he is the principal one of our generals who has not been in favor of the transfer of the Indians to the War Department. This praying general has prosecuted the war with such vigor that the strong papers with strong arguments have sustained him, and almost invariably those who went with him in his rough marches have defended him, such as newspaper correspondents, scouts and the like, and the “stay at homes” have been about the only ones who have found fault. His recent conference with the Umatilla Indians since the war has shown such firmness, justice and Christianity as to win for him very many friends among those who previously opposed him, thus showing again that Christianity is the way of dealing with the Indians. So Christianity has won its laurels even in this war.
THE CHINESE.
“CALIFORNIA CHINESE MISSION.”
Auxiliary to the American Missionary Association.
President: Rev. J. K. McLean, D. D. Vice-Presidents: Rev. A. L. Stone, D. D., Thomas C. Wedderspoon, Esq., Rev. T. K. Noble, Hon. F. F. Low, Rev. I. E. Dwinell, D. D., Hon. Samuel Cross, Rev. S. H. Willey, D. D., Edward P. Flint, Esq., Rev. J. W. Hough, D. D., Jacob S. Taber, Esq.
Directors: Rev. George Mooar, D. D., Hon. E. D. Sawyer, Rev. E. P. Baker, James M. Haven, Esq., Rev. Joseph Rowell, Rev. John Kimball, E. P. Sanford, Esq.