470 TRIBES OF THE UPPER MISSOUBI [eth. ann. <e 



law would follow. The democratic principles of government already 

 implanted would assume an effective form and civilization and 

 Christianity would be the result. To accomplish this present pay- 

 ments of annuities should not be curtailed, as it would hazard the 

 ill feelings of the grown Indians who. seeing no immediate benefit 

 arising, would become dissatisfied with the appropriation of their 

 funds. Separate appropriations or funds could be raised for the 

 purpose. 



Warfare 



The usual cause of war among the prairie tribes is the stealing of 

 horses. Indians must have horses, can not well live without them, 

 and will risk everything to obtain them. Moreover, horses are looked 

 upon in a measure as public property ; that is, those nations who have 

 few think they have a right to take them from those who have many. 

 Whether it is a right or not they do it, and in these expeditions fre- 

 quently men are killed on both sides. This produces an obligation on 

 the part of the relatives of the deceased to revenge their deaths, and 

 war continues with various successes on both sides. The occupation 

 of war is also the most honorable an Indian can follow. The young 

 men are not noticed, neither can they aspire to the hand of a respecta- 

 ble young woman, without having distinguished themselves in 

 war excursions. They are taught this when young, and as things 

 now stand, it is difficult to change. Nevertheless it can be done. Not 

 immediately, but in the course of a few years. There is always- an 

 opening to the heart of the Indian through his love of gain. Most 

 chiefs, soldiers, and heads of families are open to bribes. The object 

 of war in the first place is gain, and the dangers attending it make 

 it honorable. 



This object (gain) must be superseded by an equivalent and the 

 idea of honor transferred to other sources. Take, for instance, the 

 Blackfeet, who are the most numerous and bloodthirsty nation on 

 the upper Missouri. Assemble them in treaty and make a distri- 

 bution of $25,000 or $30,000 in merchandise among them and 

 the deputations of other nations with whom a peace is to be concluded. 

 How would this operate? The soldiers of the camp who would be 

 appointed to distribute this merchandise are the most powerful 

 party, have generally the raising and leading of war parties, and 

 would take a liberal share of the presents for themselves. The chiefs 

 and heads of families would also receive a large amount and the 

 rest be divided among the young men, warriors, women, etc. The 

 peace would be made, all would be satisfied for the present; but 

 unless these payments were continued for a number of years, or until 

 the benefits of peace were realized and acknowledged, nothing would 

 be gained. An Indian does not reflect upon what he has received 



