The Portland daily press., 1870-12-05
III. j. II u.s.
M NJ ay ornir g, De gu be, s 1870.
8 signal Triumph Of observation-disclosures

Ill u dy olnii Z, O6 gu p5t low
signal Triumph Of ''Sen
A comic history of the United States was
published last year among the endless stupio-
tiles ot which was one treasure in the shape |
of an .tndisn reservation" On this reserva-
ton locomotive is represented as making its |
wav through native village; bands of Unit |
cd States troops are seen elsewhere pursuing |
the aborgines with arms; in another place |
white pioneers are building their cabins and
blowing the soil, while in the background
those arts with which he is only too sure to
have an acquaintance.
That picture represents the past, and the
bloody and expensive wars of the last years
of Jobnson's administration make comph-
mentary picture of direct personal interest to
very many of our citizens But the picture
of the present is a different one, as may be
seen by any one who will take the trouble to
look at the reports of ex-Secretary Cox, Com
missioner Parker and Gen. Sherman. At the
beginning of Grants administration two op-
posing Indian policies were urged upon him
one the 'sckly sentimental policy of observ-
Ing treaties and keeping faith; the other the
practical, common-sense" policy of continu-
Ing to cheat, rob and murder the uncivilized
I; wards of the nation. Grants decision was
made promptly and has been adhered to with
characteristic pertinactity. 1t was in favor OF
the "sen timentap theory and emphatically
opposed to the common sense" theory. The
result is that Gen. Cox congratulates the
{ President upon the success OF his eLdeavors
to preserve peace. The ex-Secretary dwelIs
upon the wisdom of entrustine our relations
With the Indians to the Friends and to care
fully selected men OF other religious societies.
Gen. Parker is still more emphatic. There
has been, he says no hostile outbreak during
the last year. the Indians are making some
progress il the art OF civilization. Red Cloud
the great Sioux Chief who was treated with
so much attention at Washington last spring.
has been even better than his word. Though
be expressed only limited satisfaction at II e
Il e Of his letuln to his people, his powerful
influence has been emlpently peaceful. The
FIR .ds and the representatives of o her relie-
iois ocieo are excellent substitutes for the
s@iudling agents OF other days. There are
a few ignorant and brsotted barbai ians, both
North and Souss, who object 10 having new
railroad, rnp through their reservations, and
Gen. Parker thinks that If some means to
3 quiet their claims is not adopted they may BE-
- come troublesome. In pursuance OF his "sen-
timentaf' plan we have DO doubt that Gen.
Grant will recommend that they be paid an
indemnity. Mtsfs lfs..s.rr
a5 Gen Sherman's brief report has only an
incidental relation 10 this subject. He refers
to TIE law requiring th e present force OF thiI-
ty five thousand men constituting our stand
ing army TO be reduced to thirty thousand ty
the first of next July without the accompa
nyipg protest against it which might well he
anticipated from a gentleman of bis well
known views. If he apprehended series OF
4 indian wars. we may be very sure that he
would never permit the case to go by default
but would pu! forth every energy to have the
present superfuoas strength OF the army pre-
Sc we'd intact.
Gen. Parker regrets that the law torbiddiEe
army officers to hold any civil position here,
prevented military men from continuing to
q tas Indian agents, but he is entirely ron
tent with the work OF the men who have been
selected in tneir pace. TIE law makes con-
q siderable enlargement Of Grants peace poicy
necessary, and it seems likely to prove one O.
the most benetcent laws ever passed.
In the midst OF all th Ssatisfaction there
is only one discoldant note. Gen. John
Pope, VITO commands the department o.
g Missouri, speaks in terms of strong d par
agement OF some of The Indians under his ju-
risoiction. 1t will be remembered that this
Gen. Pope was brave and able solder dur
ing the civil war, but t. life too much given
to rhetoric He has not changed, we should
think. He regrets that an attempt has been
made to keep the Cheyennes, Comanches,
! Kiowas and Arapahoes ON reservations. The
Kiowas, he says, are altogether the worst tn
dams he has had to deal with. OF the Apa-
ches of New Mexico and Arizona; he says;
"They are the most squalid, cowardly and
thieving Indians l know on the frontier"
But Gen. Pope's real uneasiness is caused, it
seems, by outrages altoge ther prospective, for
: he has no more murders to report than would
have occurred in civilized domain OF equal
extent. sss-y is.1fl., .-.-F..s.t mods
Il! For the coming year Gen. Cox estimates
that the expenditures On account of the In
dams will be over million dollars less than
for a current year of peace-a deduction of
sixteen per cent. Was there ever more
striking verifcation of the old, old principle
; of both Christian and natural morals, that
Justice should be done in utter disregard OF
the anticipated consequences? Was there
ever more satisfactory proof that kindness,
Cancellation and equity are far more potent
as paciicatcrs than brute violence and ter
tor? Was there ever better evidence that JUS
! tice prys in dollars and cents? Yet the whole
grand lesson will be forgotten tomorrow, ard
people will 60 on talking of "sickly sentiment
taism."