The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-07

whenever they hold out an indication that they arc
This course only encourages them to commit FIR
thsr hostiiities whenever favorable opportunity
They should nrst be whipped into Subsection ana
made TO beg for peace upon their kneea treaty
might then DO made that would be lasting.
ess BY csran Fasern
entirely misplaced. IN . book published in 1859.
regarding what conceived to be me correct policy
oftha government towards the Indians and q those
Ing the last Two years make no apology for intro.
ducing the following quotations pages 2os 2i1):--
rhs Indians S q The Plains. The snoosans
cuPsd he Sasssn s..iss ior their aude fa
year. Us for S:an The .ors thew WI
Charity N. nd hey invariably
When Ssy present i e with vi:w Of getting NOR.
have never yet been able to discover tia. the western
tribes possss.cd Of those attributes which civilized
nations ara regarded - virtues adonng the human char
inc only way make these srcess fressootsrs
have Ast Of ALL them we'll by striking such blow
are superior 70 them IN War Thew viii them as much
than whom their good VIII purchased with preaenta
the greater part OF his time to the Investigation OF
the Indian problem, antD has by extended personal
observation among the different tribes and through
the reports OF subordinate ofncers had greater iar
cties for obtaining correct information upon this
subject than any other man.
His opinions are contained In the following ex-
tracts from an official communication addressed by
him 10 Major General p. H. Sheridan on the 14tn OF
October, 1888 and will doubtless be read with inter-
eat and ufgarded as conclusive by all 0sinterested
men:--
to Discrimination" for Indians thcmseive. to
them. Al besti. ingiorous war; apt add much
% Sa' al s
without one ngIc compromising advantage 10 Of
o snsn
q
sed on the Indians rs are not OF our making and
BY b spite
Western to Be- Checked and leave tie iSasns
accept he war begun By our
IN &. T.s: II i bn RESULT
S s sy % sAn s T . ss nor
and 40 nothing to restrain our troops from 's doing
waA nsy sSs OF the spot D. sga WIN so"
s their hands but viii :. the powers conGaed 70 70
not Ss s na OF
% oppoaay before seo. falls shs aaGi In
their option sccsp their psaso cease our
You mny now 90 ahead In your way, and VIM back
you with nay whole nnCs and stand between you and
believe that ali the Departments Of our government cv
fears but that Congress and the people win always
us, provided meet with reasonable success.
Another objection urged by the Commissioner IL
that lyon have tried military management OF In
dian affairs and i has proved failure"
Instead Of this being the fact wherever II has teen
tried 1t seems to me TO have proved an entire sue
up to about 1s4s many Of the disbursements were
made by army officers; and the Indians then re-
ceived all that Congress appropriated for them.
made in the presence Of the Officers at the military
posts, and had the discussing officer been SO dis
posed he would have found II exceedingly difficult to
suppose, FOR illustration. we admit that the civil
functi0narIes and army officers by nature equally
venal. Tie latter have their commissions anu po-
8tlons for life at stake which must necessarily act
as powerful incentive to good conduct and guar
antee against malfeasance whereas the former rarely
remain In Office over four years, and only receive
$1,000 year. which Is insufficient for the respectable
maintenance OF their families and not as much
honest and faithful agents who have resisted ell
Elements to peculaton but regret say that there
many years past have not been so Conscientious in
correct discharge OF their duties and than
these men have entered upon their duties poor and
at the expiration OF their terms OF 0flce have very
fol- sccompiishing such result, become rich.
THIS has doubtless, caused many OF our dificutlcs
with the Indians for they posses Us vivid concep-
they will be likely to know It.
Notwithstanding the opinion OF the Commissioner
that "the proposed transfer will he offensive 10 the
ceptabIe 10 the majority OF them. and,
made to General sherman two Of which
came directly from the Indians through mel
requesting aim to nse his influence In having future
disbursements made to them BY army officers, on
the ground that they had not confidence in their
agents.
last Congress which require army officers to witness
and certify to the correctness OF the disbursements
civil agents. significant 10 tue opinion enter
tanned by our national Legislature on this subject.
and forn cogent argument in favor OF an early
The amenisy Of Mr, Tsyior,s usually urbsne ana
courteous department iowa his military associates
on the Commission must have been considerably cs-
turbed when he gave expression and application 10
the following aphorsm:--'I think can readily I'M
derstand, however. why my colleagues OF the army
desire the transfer 1t Is but natural they should
sire IT, II Is the history Of power to seek more
power,r &C., and hc goes on TO Intimate unmtstaka
bly, that those distinguished officers desire to absorb
the Indian Bureau into the War Department from no
other motive but that OF perpetuating the tenure OF
cannot understand why tho gentleman no
regards himself as an exception to the rule no lays
down-should claim exemption from the selfish
promptlngs and influences OF this universal Flaw OF
powers for his position is such at the head OF his
bureau that he can hardly be regarded "a Its dsiu-
am not aware that the army officers have ever
made any efforts TO get control OF Indian matters,
and believe they do not want It, for the reason that
u would greatly increase their labor and RESPONSE.
bIity without any corresponding augmentation OF
pay
fer after II had passed the House show whether the
civil officers have any desire extend the tenure or
their positions.
have Just read the report OF our distinguished
GeneranC Chief In which he touches upon this very
subject and as his opinions corroborativc OF
what have advanced, take the liberty OF making
the following quotation from the document ITO
Says
would earnestly recommendation OF last
that Indians the War
psrnent call special attention 70 the recommendation ot
General Sherman this subject. II has
prevail II that the argument In favor OF the
transfer should be resated The for becomss
stronger and more cvideut every day
It certainly cannot be said under existing circum-
stances that General Grant TX influenced by any do
sire perpeuate the tenure OF bis present position
AIis opinions upon this subject should therefore have
very decisive proponderance I'm favor Of the trans
fer.
In conclusion ! remark that should the present
Indian policy be continued and the civil funconarics
retained in ONCE 1t would. In my humble Judgment
be wise provision OF Congress to give them an in
crease Of compensation commensurate with tho I'M
portance OF their positions and tho responsibility,