The Portland daily press., 1869-04-03

Saturday Morning, Ap,il 8, 1889.
Letter from Washington.
WASHINGTON. March 80, 1869.
PORTLAND.

PROPOSE.
A good deal has lately been said with
regard to the true policy Of dealing with our
Indians, and recently about the Quakers at
tempting, with the sanction of the admins
tration, new policy. 1t may therefore be
interesting to know what it is the Quakers
propose. Practical men, whose knowledge of
the question gives their opinisn weight, de-
clare their proposition to be simply of the
old cloth-a patching up of old garments, or
rather, not even that, a men6;ng of portion
only.
In brief It is this. Certain well-known
Quakers are to be selected by the Quarterly
Meeting of Pennsylvania, are to give their
services grstuitousy and Congress is to ap-
propriate s3,000O00, which sum it is intend
ed sha be expended under their supervision
in experiments for the civilization and chris
tianization of the Sioux-on whom the Qua
ers propose to make their first efforts. They
certainly have chosen most forbidding spec
linen of the genus Aborigine. This is really
all they propose-so far as legislation is con-
cerned. Of course they have definite ideas
as to what they will do for and with the
tribes put under their management. The
President and Secretary Cox, have signifed to
the proper committees in Congress their az
proval and desire to see this attempt made.
But there viii be no such partial effort. EV-
cry one recognizes the character and pur-
poses of these philanthropic gentleman, but
the remedy for the chronic Indian difficulties
must be altogether more comprehensive and
incisive.
The Quaker proposition does not 60 near
the running sore-for the present Indian
war is confined and has been for severa, years
past, to the State of Kansas, from which
Sheridan has only just succeeded In dislodg-
ing the warlike nemads. Then those who
have been moving in this effort are altoeeth-
er from Pennsylvania. 1t is evident that
their brethren of Ohio and indiana, are
anxious TO share the honor. I will not
prophesy of the result.
There are several plans which have been
discussed of late, bearing on this subject.
The fist proposes TO transfer the Indian
Bureau from the Interior TO the War Depart
ment. The Senate opposes this strongly.
do not believe it is regarded as favorably as
formerly in the House. There are several
salient objections: One is that the military
have never prevented breaches of the peace,
which is one of the things any efficient con-
troll of the Indians should have power to do.
The army is not police, to prevent disturb
ances; it suppresses war when once begun.
Magisteral powers are needed, so that white
men who do wrong may be punished as well
as Indians. Another IS that there is large
body of Indians-at least one hundred thou
sand-who are pursuing settled and peaceful
habits. These people do not need military
supervision. The army may be properly
entrusted with the care of the tribes at wal
and them only.
The second is to create new Department
of Indian Affairs, whose head shall be Cab
met officer, with power among other things
to mass the Indians in large bodies in Terri
tories or reservations, sufficiently large to
make with proper man agement, permanent
communities. This however, with some de-
sirable features, is only continuance of the
old system.
The third and the practical plan is now
being considered by the House Committee OF
Indian Affairs, whose Chairman, Hon. sgd
ney Clarke OF Kansas, has for his constituent
cy, the greatest stake in a speedy and per-
manent solution of the matter. 1t is proposed
to abolish by law the present corrupt treaty
system. All stipulations now made are to
be fulfilled, but the civilized Indians are TO
be offered and urged, to take citizenship and
homes in severalty-thas getting rid of the
barbaric tribal and clannish relations. The
Indian Territory south of Kansas, in which
there are q, 600 Indians, quite far advanced
In civilization; more SO as rule, land
write whereof I know, having been among
them before, and served in their midst dur
ing the war;) are better disposed, more law
abiding and peaceable, than are their white
neighbors of Arkansas and Texas,-this Ter
rtory will it is quite probable be placed an
der some modified form of Territorial gov
eminent with the expectation of paving the
way for their merging into full citizenship. In.
dian tribes at war will be considered as having
abrogated all treaties, and the policy propose,
does not allow the making of new ones
Territory is to be set aside for them, into
which they win be removed and kept, vi el
armis, being fed and clothed there as prison
ers of war, or wards of the government. i
is believed that this policy, beginning will
the abrogation of the corrupt and senselesi
policy of making treaties (only to be broker
by one side or the other) with savages, hay
ing not the slightest pretencs of such nation
al life or sovereignty as gives title to such rec
ognition as treaty implies, will soon mak'
peace secure, and as an end, speedily absorl
the Indian in the great body of American
citizenship. Something like this must b.
done.
1t is understood that nomination for In
dian Commissioner will be made in a few
days. Generally it is expected that Col. FL
Parker will be nominated. There are som
well informed persons who think this unlike
ly, and argue that Parker is not The fit pei
son, lacking the energy which is needed
Though an excellent officer and a man Q
high culture, it is affirmed that unless unde
some great incentive, he has the Indian pas
siveness to quite u remarkable degree. Blu
knowing Gen. Parker very well, it seems tc
me nomination every way fit to be made.
CUBA INDEPENDENCE AND ANNEXATION
Gen. Banks will endeavor during the pres
snt week to secure the passage of his Cubal
resolution, authorizing the President to recoe
nize that people as sovereign Congress no
being in SESSION. when in his judgment the
have proved their capacity to maintain 60,
ernment. There will be quite gatherin
here during the latter part of the preser
week, Of the active friends OF Cuba
Anon them will be the well-known and tai
ented English artist and engraver, w. ]. Lin
ton, whose sympathy with the FL
ropean democratic propaganda, of whic
he is in, the United States, til
recognized representative, has made him ais
an active and valuable friend to the Gu
ban patriots. Our of the chief dangers th
Cuban leaders have constantly to guar
against is the talk of American annexation
which il presented now would be likely I
divide their councils. Independence must b
first secured; the other will probably follow
If il does not come naturally we ought not +
want il. Recently have seen letters from
welLknown Cuban leader, commanding a