Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1869-12-03

4
With that populous and hitherto exclu-
| sive nation. As the United States have
been The tnitiators in the new Policy, so
| they should be the most earnest in show
ing their good faith in making IL sue
| cess.
lnthis connection advise such leg r.
iation as will forever preclude the en-
| siavement of the Chinese upon our soil,
/ under the ma '.,e Of coolies, aud also pre-
| vent American vessels from engaging In
he transportation of coolies 20 any
country toierating the system. / also
recommend that the mission OF China be
raised TO one offirst-cIass.
Upon my assuming the Responsibilities
OF cbief magistrate or the United States,
it was with the convection that three
things were essential 10 its peace, pros
perIty and fuliesl development. First
among these is strict integrity in full
hliiDg all our obligations second, TO Sc
cure protection to the person ard proper
" OF The citizen Of the United States ia
each ana every portion of our common
country wherever he may choose 10
move, without reference TO original na-
tionality, religion, color or politics, de-
snanding of him OILY obedience 10 the
laws aud proper respect for the rights OF
others, third, union of al the states,
With equal rights indestructihle by any
constitutional means. To secure the
hrst of these Congress has taken two
essential steps:
First In declaring, by Joint resolu-
ton, that the public debt should be paid,
principal and interest, IN coin; and sec
md, by providing the means for paying.
Providing the means, however, could
not secure the object desired without a
proper administration of the laws for
the collection OF the revenues and an eco
nomical disbursement Of tbem To this
subject the administration has most
earnestly addressed itself, with results,
believe, satifactory to the country.
There has been no hesitation in chang
ing officials in order to secure an eff
cient execution OF the laws. Sometimes,
TOO twhere in mere party view unde-
slrable political results Were likely to
follow from any hesitation in sustaining
efficient ofheials), against renonstrances
wholly political:
IL may be well to mention here the en-
barrassments possiblet to arise from leav-
ing On the statute book, the so called
tenure of office act, and 10 earnestly re-
commend its total repeal. It could not
nave been the intention Of the trainers of
the constitution when providing that ap-
pointments by tue president shou re-
qulre the consent OF the senate, that the
latter should have the power 10 retain in
office, persons placed there by Fed
eral appointment against the will
OF the president. The law is in
consistent with faithful and
efficient administration of the govern
ment. What faith can an executive have
ia officials forced upon him, and in those
whom he has suspen ed for reason
How will such officials be likely to serve
an administration which they know does
not trust them? For the second reaui-
site TO our growth aud prosperity, time
and affirm and most humane admlnistra-
tlon OF existing laws, amended from
ime 70 time as they may prove iReifect-
i've, or prove harsh aud unnecessary, are
probably all the moro required. The
'hird cannot be obtained by special leg
lslauon, but must be regarded as fixed
bY the constitution itself, and gradually
Acquiesced in by force Of public opinion.
From The foundation OF the govern
taent 10 the present The management of
The original inhabitants OF this contI-
uent-the IndIans-has been subject
Of embarrassment and expense, and has
been attended with continuous rob-
berries, murder and wars. From my
own experience upon the frontiers, and
IN Indian countries, do not hold either
he legislation or the conduci of the
whites who come most IN contact with
the Indians, blameless for these hOstili-
ties. The past, however, cannot be undone,
aud the question must be met as we now
ind II. L have attempted a new policy
towards these wards of the nation-they
cannot be regarded In any other light
ihan as wards-with fair results, so far
as tried, and which hope will be attend
I'd Ultimately with great success. The So
ciety of Friends are well known as hav-
ing succeeded in living IN peace with the
Indians in the early settlemenisof Penn
Sylvania, while their while ueighbors Of
other sects in other sections were con-
stantly embrciled. They are also known
tor their opposition TO all strife, violence
and war, and are generally noted for
their strict integrity and fair dealing.
These considerations induced me 10 give
the management of a few reservations
If Indians to them, and throw the bur-
den of selecting of agents upon the So
ciety itself, The result has proved most
satisfactory. 1t will be found more fully
set forth in the report of the Commis-
>iouer of Indian Affairs.
For rsuperinteudents and Indian agents
not on The reservations, officers Of the
army were selected. The reasons for this
were numerous, When Indian agents
are sent there or were there, troops must
be sent also. The agent and the COM
mauder of troops are independent of
each other, and are subject 10 orders
from different departments of the gov
eminent.
The army officer holds position for
life-the agent one at the will of the
President. The former is personally in
Jerested in living in harmony with the
Indians and In the establishment of
permanent peace, 10 the end that some
NORTON of this life may be spent within
the limits of civilized society, The