Arizona miner., 1867-08-31
MBUG

The commissioners appointed some months since to inquire generally into thc cause ot the Indian difficulties on the plains, and to suggest steps for their suppression, have made their report. and we find a synopsis of it in our late eastern exchanges. Gen. Sanford, one of the commissioners, says:
 gro secure peace it is necessary for the Government to abstain from aggressive war. It is believed the history of the Indian wars furnishes no instance where Indians have asked for mercy, or even for cessation of ho,tihticz. He recommends that all troops in the Indian country be employed in garrls oniug military posts. protecting weak points on railroads and railroad lines, and the nayi- catiou and travel across the plains and ln pursuing and, if possible, punishing the small thicying parties of Indians that come upon lines of travel Commissioners should be sent to the Indians and friendly relations restored It s believed sound policy would demand th, course. To leopard and sacrifice the lives of large numbers ot our own people for the purpose of carrying on fruitiess war against few Indians, who can readily be kept at peace, is deemed unwise.'
 General Sanborn, in view of the facts mar rated, recommends. first, that general war cease; second, that final and permanent homes be provided for the Indians; third, that tribunal be established before which Indian wrongs may be rcdresscd, and fourth, that the Indian Bureau be organized into depart mcnt. with full authority to control and manage all the Indian country.
 The other commissioners report in similar strain. aud the commissioner of Indian affairs accepts their conclusions as very sound and satisfactory, and concludes report to Con grcss by saying:
 The Indians can be saved from extinction only by consolidating them and setting apart a territory for their exclusive occupation. The total cost of the Indian Bureau in its intended field of operations, including all its expenditures, does not exceed S3,oOO,O0O per annumn
 Evidently, all the commissioners have been most egregiou,ly humbugged, and entertain no correct idea of the Indian character. What could be more absurd to men who have lived upon the frontier, and dealt with the red skins. than the notion of General Sanborn, Whoever he may bel that in order to secure peace it is necessary for the Government to abstain from aggressive war; Of what avail can it be to punish small thieying bands when whole tribes are responsible for their dcprcdations and in league with them The commissioner of Indian affairs seems eager to save the Indians from extinction. What makes him 50 sensitive upon this point We doubt very much if the tax paying American people, especially those who know the In- dians in their true light, wish to save them from extinction at any price, much less at three millions per annum, which the com missioner seems to think modest sum.
 We are not of those who would kill every Indian on sight, be he friendly or uniriendly but we look upon all this apprehension oi war with the bIrbarians who would impede the progress of civilization as exceedingly silly and preposterous. The giving of blank cts and beads has proven a sad farce, and it is surprising that sane men wish to continue the practice It should be made known to Congress that, however well meant the re- ports of these commissioners, they display a glaring ignorance of the Indian nature, and are utterly unworthy of consideration. So long as Congress is humbugged into accepting and fayoring such views, so long will life and travel upon the plains be wholly insecure, SC long will the great American people be st the mercy of few thousands of treacherous and worthless red devils, whom powder and shot are the only arguments calculated tc control. Let them know that the whites arc most powerful and soon all will be we'll Let them continue to believe that we deem il necessary to propitiate them by annual offer ings, and that we fear an aggressive war, ant they will take our scalps at will for years tC come