The intelligence daily transmitted from New York about the Red
Indian War still leaves it doubtful whether such a war has actually broken out, or is even considered imminent. It is true that outside the great Indian Reserve on the border of Missouri, where the tamer Indians dwell, all the tribes are in wild excitement, dancing ghost-dances, rushing hither and thither aimlessly, and muttering threats against the whites ; but it is not certain that the commotion is not produced by hunger, and some wild expectation of the descent of a Warrior. Messiah. It is also true that the War Department at Washington is concentrating troops at great expense, to watch the Reservations ; but it has always been the custom to prevent, if possible, a civil war between settlers and Indians by a display of United States troops. Neither side is willing to fire on the flag, for that calls irresistible strength into action, and a thin line of States cavalry will constantly control most formidable armed mobs. We should say, on the whole, that the omens pointed to an outbreak, made formidable by the immense territory over which it would extend; but it is equally possible that at the last moment the tribes will hesitate, and suffer themselves to be disarmed. Some of their leaders must know how hopeless a rising is.
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