The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1871-12-30

SldUeS. AS SOOH DIS IL dppCitIcu Uiitt1
the authorities of the United States
were about to take vigorous measures
to enforce the laws, these parties
absconded, and there is good ground
for supposing that all such persons
have violated the law. A full state
ment of what has been done under
this law, will be submitted to Coz
gress by the Attorney General.
In Utah there still remains REM
nant of barbarism repugnant to civili-
zation, decency and the laws of the
United States.
Territorial officers have been found
who are willing to perform their duty
in spirit of equity and with Il due
sense of sustaining the majesty of the
law. Neither
PoLYGAMY
nor any violation of existing statutes
will be permitted within the territory
of the United States. 1t is not with
the religion of the self-styled saints
that we are now dealing, but their
practices. They will be protected i'll
the worship of God according to the
dictates OF their consciences, but they
will not be permitted to violate the
law under the cloak of religion. 1t
may be advisable for Congress to
consider what, in the execution of the
laws against pofygamy, is to be the
/ status of plural wives and their off
spring. The propriety of Congress
passing an enabling act, authorizing
the territorial Legislature of Utah to
legitimize all born prior to a time fixed
in the act, might be justified by its
humanity to these innocent children.
This is suggestion only, and not a
recommendation.
The policy pursued toward
| THE INDIANS
has resulted favorably so far as the
law can be judged, from the limited
time during which it has been in OPP
Grafton. Through the exertions of
the various societies of Christians, to-
whom has been intrusted the execu-
ton of the policy, and the board of
commissioners authorized by the law
of April 10th, 1869, many tribes of In
dians have been induced, to settle on
reservations, to cultivate the soil and
perform productive labor of various
kinds, and to partially accept civili-
zation; they are being cared for in
such way, it is hoped, as to induce
those still pursuing their old habits of
life to embrace the only opportunity
which is left them, to avoid externli-
nation. / recommend liberal appro-
priations to carry out the
/ INDIAN PEACE POLICY,
not only because it is humane, chris
tian-like and economical, but because
it is right. | recommend to your fa
vorahle consideration also the policy
of granting the power of territorial
government to the Indians of the In
dian territory west of Arkansas and
Missouri, and south of Kansas. In
doing so, every right guaranteed to
the Indians by treaty should be Sc
cured. Such a course might be the
means OF collecting most of the In
dians now between the Missouri and
the Pacific, and south of the British
possessions into one territory or one
State. The Secretary of the Interior
has treated upon this subject at
length, and recommended to you his
suggestions. Irenew my recommelf-
dations, that the
PUBLIC LANDS
may be regarded as an heritage for
our children, to be disposed of only as
required for occupation and to actual
settlers. Those actually granted have
been in great part disposed of in such
a way as to secure access to the bal
ance by the hardy settler who may
wish to avail himself Of them; but
caution should be exercised in attain
ing SO desirable an object.
EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS
may well be subserved by the grant
of the proceeds of the sale of public
lands to settlers. | do not wish to be
understood as recommending in the
least degree curtailing of what is
being done by the general govern
ment for the encouraging of educa-
ton.
The report of the Secretary of the
interior, submitted with this, s,will give.
you information, collected and pre-.
pared Tor publication, Ill regard to
| the
| CENSUS
taken during the year 1870; the OPP
GRAFTON of the bureau of education for
the year; the patent Office; the pen
sion office; the land Office and the In
dian bureau, and the report of the
commissioner of
/ AGRICULTCRE
gives the operations ofhis department
for the year. AS agriculture is the
groundwork of our prosperity, too
much Importance cannot be attached
to the labors of this department,
which is in the hands of an able head,
with able assistants, all zealously
devoted to introducing into the ag-
ricultural productions of the nation
all the useful products adapted to
any of the various climates and soils
<,f Il