The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-05-17
THE ADMIN. STRA1lOy.
The Indian Bureau and the Quakers-Incn-
pacity Of the Cabinet.


pacity Of the Cabinet.
WASHINGTON, May is, 1859.
mo dispensation of the Official patronage Is ap.
parently the most vexatous, confusing, unsatsfac-
tory and damaging OF all the varied complications
this administration seems destined to encounter,
not even excepting foreign policy that is to be,
If ever the state Department In the penitude OF its
wisdom, succeeds in developing one.
1T certain that the President had plans which he
considered wise and well matured IN regard to the
distribution OF appointments. These plans were
specific to the Indian agencies and the internal
revenue, but whether they have been changed volun
tarily frustrated by multiplicity OF advice IL s
apparent that they have not been consummated
according to the original design
IL Is questionable whether the plan for appointing
the Quakers thoroughly considered because, for
some unexplained reason, II has been only partially
carried out. IL the conception OF the President,
and commended itself to him In view OF its pacific
tendency. The Congressional politicians contem-
plated these appointments with sole reference TO
their political consequences. Nevertheless, It was
acquicsced I'm under the impression that II was TO
be general. and with the idea that the Indians were
TO be handed in body to the Friends: that, as
a natural consequence, there would he no more vio-
iations Of treaties, no more complaints OF robbery
and cheating, and that there would be an end OF
fighting.
Congressman yielded to this proposition reluc-
family and from necessity. They forcsaw that q
large amount OF patronage would escape their con-
troll because politicians approach the Quakers
during the progress OF local struggle for suprem
acy ana they not the kind Of people II has been
customary to reward with places. The project OF
sending the Friends among the Indians favored
by the masses and everywhere became popular.
seemed to forecast a era, and IN the prospect
i've company OF the broad-brimmcd agents the In
dams were 10 be Quakerized, induced TO dispense
with war paint and substitute clean faces TO forego
the luxury Of wearing scalps at their girdles, TO
grow garden truck to keep Sunday and to cultivate
lnnumerabe Christian virtues not hitherto recorded
In the savages confession OF faith. But prcdisposed
as politicians TO accept this attractive pro-
gramme. ct very early period In the history OF the
experiment they revoked their approval, dispersed
with impressions adverse TO Its practicability con-
WINGED that II would avail nothing In pacifyng the
Indians, whereas II would raise up goodly army Of
fighting ofce-hunters whose begcrent qualities
would be aggravated by their need The agencies
the most coveted OF all the places at the dispo-
sal OF the President and ~ seemed like throwing
them away to give them to any but the ardent class
OF irreprcssible constituents. Now the dlssatslac
ton y greater than before: only few Qua,
| kers have been appointed, aud they were
! anxious applicants. just like other onlce-seek <
ers. At first they said, turn the indians
over to us and we Will cvilize and make Christians
| OF them" The President did not do this but as
signed small number TO tho most desirable agen-
among the peaceful and a., semcyinSa .I has
| failed, and that tho Friends are just ike ordinary
| mortais It has been their habit TO refrain from
active participation IN the exciting scenes Of poll,
TICS and In consideration OF the former practices OF
| the sect they could not JON IN the common scramble
for ONCE Here was an opportunity 70 appear 70
| acter OF phiianthropists. HAD they been permitted
TO monopose tue sgcuciss the good Or VI success 81