Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1871-12-07

that we are dealing. but their practices.
They will be protected in the worship
OF God aceerding 20 the dicsstes sf their
conseisness. bus they will not be per-
mitted to violate laws under the cloak
of religion, Il may be advisable for
Congress TO consider what In the execu-
l5tion of,the laws against poiygamy is to
b. the status of plural wives and their
offspring. The probability of Congress
passing an enabling act authorizing the
territorial legislature of Utah, TO iegiti-
matize prior tn the passage of the set,
might be justified oy itr humsnity these
innocent children. This is a suggestion
0nly, af1 not recommendation.
THE INDIAN PROBLEM.
The policy pursued towards the fn-
dians, has resulted favorably SO far as
can be judged from the limited time du-
ring which it has been in operation
Through the exertions Of the various
societies OF Christians to whom it has
been entrusted, the execution of the
pDliey aud the Board of commissioners
authorized by the law of April 10th.
| 1859, many tribes Of Indians lave been
| indacea 10 settle upon the reservations
to Cultivate the soiIs and perform pro-
duetive labor of various kinds, and u,
| partially accept civilization. They are
being cared TO, in such a way it is hoped
as to induce those still pursuing their
old habits of life to embrace the only
opportunity which is left them 10 avoid
lexisrminatiOn. / recommend, liberal
appropriations to carry out The Indian
peace policy, not because it is humane
christiai-like and religious. but because
it is right. recommend TO your, favor
able consideration also the policy of
granting territorial government to the
Indians In the Indian Territory west Of
Arkansas and Missouri and south of
Kansas. In doing so e, cry right guar
anteed to the Indians by local govern
ments should be secured. Such 4 course
might in time be the means of collect
ing most ofthe Indians now bet ween the
Missouri and the Pscifio and south of the
British possessions into Territory or
a State. The Secretary of the Interior
has treated upon this subject at length,
and l ecommend to you his sugges,
lions. Glib -ei5vBgT .ofLfs8.u ;s.1-s ~,
$50 THE PUBLIC LANDS. e,'iH =
I renew my Recommendation that
the public lands be regarded as a herit.
age to our children, to be disposed of
only as required for occupation, and to
actual settlers. Those already granted
have been in great part disposed of in
such way as to secure. access to the
balance by the hardy settler who will
avail himself of them, but caution,
should be exercised even in attaining so
desirable an object. Educational inter-
ests may well be served by the grant
of proceeds of sales Of public lands to
settlers. 1 do not wish. to be under
stood as recommending in the least de-
gree curtailment of what is being
done by the general Government for the
encouragement of education. ~ =, :
j, ~ AMNESTY FOR THE SOUTH. 49,.
More than six years having elapsed
Isiuce the last; hostile gun was fired be-
tween the armies then arrayed against
each other for the perpetuation or for
thetdeStruetion of the 3 Union, it may
well be considered whether it. is not
now time that the disabilities imposed
by the Fourteenth Amendment should
be removed. That Amendment does
not exclude the ballot, but only re-.
lquires the disability to hold office of
certain classes. When the purity of
the ballot is secure, majOritieS are sure
to elect officers rejecting the views of
the majority. Edo not see the adyan-
tage or prOpriety of excluding men
from Office merely because they were
men before the Rebellion of standing
and character sufficient to be elected to
positions requiring them to take an
oath to support the Constitution, and
admitting to eligibility those enter
tanning precisely the same views, but
of less standing in the community. 1t
may be said that the former violated
an oath, while the latter did not. The
latter did not have it in their power to
do so. If they had taken this oath,
| it cannot be doubted that they would
have broken it, as did the former class.
If there are any criminals distinguish
ed above all others in the part they
took in opposition to the Government
they might, in the judgment of Con-
greSs, be excluded from such an ann
nesty.i This subject is submitted for
your careful consideration The con-
diti0n of the Southern States is, unhap-
PLY, not such as all true patriotic citi-
zens would like to see. Social ostra-
cism for opinions sake, personal vio--
lence, or threats toward persons enter
taining political views opposed to
those entertained by the majority of
the old citizens, prevents immigration
and the flow of much needed capital
into the States lately in Rebellion. 1t
will be happy condition of the coun-
try when the old citizens of these
States will take an interest in public
affairs, promulgate their ideas honest
ly entertained, vote for men represent
ing their views, and permit the same
freedom of expression in those enter
tanning different political convictions.
@ THE CIVIL SERVICE. .-C igieg
It has been the aim of the adminis-
tration to enforce honesty and efficiency
in all public offices. Every public SER
want who has violated the trust placed
in him has been proceeded against with
all he vigor of the law If bad meE
have secured places it has been the fault
of the system established by law and
custom for making appointmcnts, or the
fault Of those who recommend for gov
ernment positions persons not sufficient
ly we'll known to them personally, Ior
who give letters en- slorsing the character
of office seekers without proper sense
of the grave responsibilities which such
q course devolyes upon them. A civil
service reform which can correct this
abuse is much desired. In mercantile
pursuits, the business men who give a
letter of recommendation to friend to
enable him to obtain credit from a stran.
ger is regarded as morally responsible
for the integrity of his friend aud his
ability to meet his obligation. A re-
formatory law which would enforce this
principle against all endorsers Of per-
sons for public plac-, would insure great
caution in making Communications
A salutary lesson has been taught the
"a a icf. 4;