The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-12-08

Chief Magistrate of the United States, it was
with the conviction that three things were
essential to it's peace, prosperity and fullest
development: First among these is strict in
tegrity in fuldlling all our obligations. Second,
perty of tho citizen of tho United states in
each and every portion OF our common coun.
try, wherever he may choose to move, without
color, or politics, demanding of him only obe-
dience to the laws and proper respect for the
rights Of others. Third, a union of all the
States with equal rights, indcstructible by any
these, Congress has taken two essential steps:
First, in declaring, by joint resolution, that
the public debt shall be paid, principal and
sy tbe
however, could not secure the object desired
without proper administration of the laws
for the collection of the revenues and an eco-
nomical disbursement Of them. To this sub
ject the administration has most earnestly
addressed itself with results, hope, satiefac-
tory to the country. There has been no hesi-
tatlon in changing officials in order to secure
an efficient execution Of the laws; sometimes,
too, where, in mere party view, undesirable
political results were likely to follow; nor any
hesitation in sustaining efficient officials
against remonstrances wholly political.
1t may be we'll to mention here the embar-
rassment possible to arise from leaving on the
statute books tho so-callcd tenure-of- office
Acts, and to earnestly recommend their total
repeal. 1t could not havo been the intention
OF the trainers Of the Constitution when pro-
viding that appointments made by the Presi-
dent should receive the consent Of the Senate
that the latter should have the power to re-
appointments against tho will of tho Presi-
dent. The law is inconsistent with faithful
and efficient administration OF the Govern
ment. What faith can an Executive put in
officials forced upon him, and those, too, whom
he has suspended for reason? How will such
oiilcials be likely to serve an administration
which they know does not trust them2
For the second requisite to our growth and
prosperity, tlme and a firm but humane admi-
nistration OF existing laws, amended from
time to time, as they may be ineffective or
that are required. The third cannot be at
tanned by special lcgislation, but must be re-
garded as fixed by the Constitution itself, and
gradually acquioscod in by force of public OPT
to the present.
The management of tho original inha abitants
OF this continent, the IndSns has been sub
ject OF embarrassment and expense, and has
been attended with continuous robberies,
murders and wars. From my own experience
upon the frontiers and in Indian countries,
DO not hold either legislation or the conduct
OF the whites who come most in contact with
the Indians, blameloss for these hostiliiies.
The past, however, cannot be undone, and the
question must be met as we now find it, Ihave
attempted hew policy towards these wards
OF the nation (thOy cannot be regarded in any
other light than as wards) with fair results,
30 far as tried. and which 1 hope will be at.
tended ultimately with great success. The
Society OF Friends is we'll known as having
succeeded in living in peace with the Indians
in the early settlement of Pennsylvania while
their white neighbors of other sccts, in other
sections, were constantly enbroiled. They
arc also known for their opposition to all
strife, violence and war, and are generally
noted for their strict integrity and fair deal
ings. These considerations induced me to
give the management OF few reservations of
I'M n orNn tn &ha,., A.
lection OF agents upon the Society itself. The
result has proved most satisfactory. It will be
found moro fully set forth in the report of the
Commissioner of Indian Affairs. For super
lntendents and Indian agents not on the re-
servations, officers of the army were selected.
The reasons for this numerous. Where
Indian agents are sent there, or near there,
troops must be sent also. The agent and the
other, and are subject to orders from different
departments OF tho Government. The army
officer holds position for life, the agent one
at inc VIII OF the President: The former is
with the Indians and in establishing a perma-
nent pcace, to the end that some portion of
his life may be spent within tho limits Of civil
lied society. The latter has no such person al
interest. Another reaso.i is an economic one.
and still another, the hold which the Govern
nlcnt has upon life officer to secure a faith
fui discharge OF duties in carrying ont q given
policy. The building Of railroads and tile ac-
cess thereby given to all the agricultural aud
mineral regions Of the country is rapidly
bringing civilization into contact with all the
tribes OF Indians. No matter what ought to
be the relations between such settlements and
the Indians, the fact is, they do not harmo-
niZe we'll, and one or the other has to give way
IN the end: A system which looks to the ex-
tlnctlon OF arace is too horrible for a nation
to adopt without entailing upon itself the
wrath OF all Christendom and engendering in
the citizens disregard for human life and tho
rights or others dangerous to society. I see
no substitute for such systcm except in
placing all the Indians on large reservation
as rapidly as it can BIZ done, and giving them
absolute protection iherc. AS soon as they
are fitted for it, they should be induced to take
their lands i'll severally, and to set up Terri
tOrial governments for their own prot tcction
For full details on this subject call Your spe-
clal attention to the reports Of the Secretary
OF the Interior and the Commission of Indian
Affairs.
The Recommendation of the General OF the
Army that appropriations be made for tho
forts at Boston, Now York, Philadelphia, Now
Orleans and San Francisco, II TOR no other ia
concurred in.
call special attention to the recommends
ton OF the Chief OF Ordnance for the sale OF
tho arsenaIs and lands no longer of use to the
Government; also, to the recommendation of
the Secretary Of War, that the act prohibiting
promotions in the staff corps of the army be
| repealed. The extent of country to be garri-
soned. and the number OF military posts to be
occupied, is the same with reduced army as
with large one. The number Of staff officers