The Montana post., 1869-06-11

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exceptionable: OF the formation and
purposes Of the Commission, we cannot
say as much, believing the objects aimed
at impracticable OF unnecessary. and the
members constituting il not qualified
for the task. Upon their characters as
exemplary Christians, there may be no
spot or blemish. but Orthodox views
and social position without other more
available virtues. do not go for much in
Sioux camp. The reservation BUSH
ness can never be q success until the
tribes are segregated and reduced to a
mere handful of decrepit and diseased
creatures each. and then it will hasten
their extinction and render the minis
trations Of the clergy a decent necessity.
Perhaps this Is the real ultimate object
of the system, garbed under an ostensi-
ble one less repugnant to the senses If
the object Is to secure honesty in the
treaty ana dealings with Indians, this
Commission Is lily chosen. 1t is a sub
ordination and sacrifice of efficiency in
Difference to the morbidly sentimental
pressure of a class of people who are as
Ignorant of the Indians as those they
send TO manage them, and they know
as little of the business they are coming
on as Digger Indian does of the con-
ventionalities of Fifth Avenue society.
In few years they may learn, but in
less than a few years the veterans of
three score who are coming, will have
probably been laid with their fathers,
or be scalped and laid out to bleach on
the plains. Therefore in the practicable
purposes an error has been committed in
the formation of the Commission. There
are probably ten honest men in the west
who might have accomplished good in
such q Commission. But even this is
useless expenditure, even if the old fo-
gys do not muddle things by bad recon-
mendations to the Department. They
will keep far enough away from the
scene of an Indian war TO get the wrong
account of everything that transpires
for they have a mission of peace and do
not desire the offensive odor of blood.
In time of peace. the army officers as
signed ne agents that they will visit viii
be Just az honest without as with their
inspections, aud we do not feel prepared
to say that if we occupied the position
of a civilian or military agent, and sny
such fossils come Uriah Heeping
around, there would be any unnecessary
exertions TO remove the wool from their
eyes, or provide them with tea and toast
in return for Sunday School tracts. And
we expect this is human nature. Possi-
bly, they may do no great harm except
expend two and half millions useless
ly. They get no salary but have ex-
peuses paid, and philanthrcpists have a
reckless way of running up bills. Butt
Ter had better go after these rowing
Crypt Supsrintendents. Doubtless they
are very nice old gentlemen whom We
shall be pleased to see and sell few
feet of quartz to, but with the moral
certainty that the Commission will fail
TO accomplish any good purpos e.howev-
er good their intentions and instruc-
tiuns, we regret to see the government
mixing up with a practical, we'll prom
ising system of peace and economy-the
assignment of army officers-on n pro-
ject that at best can only be useless.
Major Martin Maginnis, Editor Of the
Gazette, was elected Chairman of the