Ulysses S. Grant acknowledged such disparities in treatment in
his first
inaugural address in 1869 when he said, The proper treatment
of the original occupants of this land--the Indians [is] one deserving
of careful study. I will favor any course toward them which tends
to their civilization and ultimate citizenship. The theme
continued in a different vein during Grants second
inaugural address in 1873:
Our superiority of strength and advantages of civilization
should make us lenient toward the Indian . . . . If the effort
is made in good faith, we will stand better before the civilized
nations of the earth and in our own consciences for having made
it.
The ongoing conflicts with Native Americans even disturbed U.S.
military leaders such as General George Custer. In his 1874 memoir,
My
Life on the Plains, Custer said that every American should
be willing to avoid these Indian wars at any cost:
For let [a soldier] act as he may in . . . a campaign
against the Indians, if he survives the campaign he can feel assured
. . . that one-half of his fellow-citizens at home will revile
him for his zeal . . . while the other half, . . . will cry "Down
with him. Down with the regular army, and give us brave volunteers
who can serve the Government in other ways besides eating rations
and drawing pay." (Page
20)
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