Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-04-16
THE INDIAN .PEACE POLICY,
Important Letter from Secretary De.
lamO-What the "Peace Policy
Means. and How it il Being I'm
forced.


Important Letter from Secretary De.
Means. and How IL is being I'm
forced.
The following correspondence was Telegraph
ed TO the New York Tiaes last night:
WASHINGTON, ID. c., April Is, ISIS.
Hon. g. Deldno, Secretary Of the Interior
Dear Sir The excitement and evaporation
in the public mind, growing out Of the treach-
OF General Candy and Commissioner Thomas,
and the serious, il not fatal, wounding of Com
missioner Meacham, hasled and will continue
the ''peace Policy" Many observations have
been AID are likely hereafter to be made, of a
general nature, condemning that which is not,
perhaps. well understood, and expressing gen
eral opinions in regard to a subject upon which
the parties making such utterances are not a.
well informed as they should be. All this, how
ever, is so natuT al as to be anticipated, and il
must be received with patience and forbear-
ance by those who take calmer view of the
subject, and who ought to comprehend il bet
ter than many who are so free in their express
sions Of opinion. Wonld it not be well, how
ever, TO enable the public TO understand anew
and distinctly what is meant by the "peace
policy" what its objects are, and how it Is pro-
posed TO attain them by executive and legisla-
tive action?
have the honor to remain, very respectful
ly, your ob't sery't, l.. L. CR0USsE.
SECRETARY DELANo's REPLY.
WASHINGTON, ID. c., April u, 1885
L. l.. CT0uRse. Esq.
Dear Sr-YOur letter OF this date, suggesting
some utterance from me, at the present mo-
ment, as TO the plan, purpose, and scope of the
Indian policy of the department, which has
popularity and properly become known as the
peace policy" is before me. 1t ought not to
be necessary-and so far as the pur poses of the
government are concerned IL is MOTTO enter
upon fresh elucidation of what is meant by this
policy. But as the public mind Is sought 20 be
enrtn not inf naI 1axrf ha ts..fav
and misrepresentation to which you all ude, "a
TO the real purposes animatng the government
toward the Indian tribes, venture to present
briefly as may, and as distinctly as possible,
an answer to your inquiries.
FIRST. The peace policy proposes to place the
Indians upon reservations as rapidly as possible,
where they can be provided for in such manner
as the dictates of humanity and Christian civil
cation require. Being thus placed upon reser-
vatlons, they viii be removed from such con-
tguity to our frontier settlements as otherwise
viii lead, necessarily, to frequent outrages.
wrongs, and disturbance of the public peace.
ON these reservations they can be taught as
fast as possible the arts of agriculture and such
pursuits as are incident to civilization. Through
the aid OF tie Christian organi cations of the
country now engaged III this work, acting in
harmony with the federal government, their
Intellectual, moral and religious culture can be
prosecuted; and thus it is hoped that humanity
and kindness may take the place of barbarity
and cruelty. Ii a majority of the people of the
United States prefer determination TO the
course here indicated, and desire to see all the
horrors and bloodshed and loss OF life, among
both whites aud Indians incident to the policy
OF determination, then it is well enough to de-
nounce, in vague and general, If not Unmean-
ing terms the Quaker policy"
Eecord. Whenever it shall be found that any
tribe or band OF Indians pefsistently refuse u
go upon reservation. and determine TO con
TIME their nomadc habits, accompanied with
depredations and Outrages upon our frontier
settlements, then it is the policy OF the Presi-
dent to treat such band or tribe with al needed
punish them he rrar
cording to their merits, and thus to teach them
that ii is better to follow the advice of the gov
trnment, and go upon reservations and become
civilized, rather than to continue their native
habits and practices. The recent conduct OF
the Modoes will furnish to the government an
example for the treatment of such tribes and
bands as refuse to accept the benevolent pur-
poses OF what Is termed the Quaker policy
There may be some so impressed with the ne
cessity of non resistance as to object to the
punishment OF Indians under the circumstances
last referred to. Ii there be any such, they will
feel assured find opportunity for complaining
because the policy is not peaceable enough.
Third. 1T Is the determination of this policy to
see that all supplies, of every kind and nature,
whether tor food or clothing, purchased for
such Indians as are upon reservations and
remain at peace, are procured at fair and
reasonable prices, so that the Indians meriting
these supplies NAV receive the same without
having the funds of the government squandered
their purchase. LII there be any whose yoca-
ton may be interrupted by being deprived OF
the profits which speculation OF peculaton may
have heretoSore afforded in the purchases for
Indians, such persons viii find abundant reason
to complain because the "Quaker policyr de-
prives them of the opportunity of gains and
profits heretofore enjoyed i'm this business.
Fourth. 1t Is the purpose of the government,
as fast as possible, through the iustrumentality
and by the advice of the religious organizations,
and by all means within its power to procure
competent, upright, faithful moral and religi-
Gus agents to care for the Indians that 90 upon
reservations, to distribute the goods and pro-
visions that are purchased for them by the
benevolence of the government; to aid in their
intellectual, moral and religious culture and
thus to assist, in the great work Of humanity
and benevolence which the peace policy means
Ii there be any who are thus deprived Of govern
ment positions and Office that have hitherto
afforded large profit without labor and without
merit, and who are to be prevented i'm the future
from defrauding Indians for their own personal
gam, those persons may complain OF the
Quaker Policy" and demand determination
FQh. 1t is the purpose of the peace policy to
establish schools, and, through the instrument
tality OF the Christian organi cations acting in
harmony with the government, as fast as
possible to build churches and organize Sab
bath schools. whereby these sayages NAV be
taught better way OF life than they have
heretofore pursued, and be made to understand
the comforts aud benefits ola Christian ciyiliza-
ton, and thus be prepared ultimately to become
citizens OF this great nation.
These, understand to be the purposes of the
Presidents peace policy; and this seems to be
the occasion when it ought to be so studied as
TO. be understood, for believe that when under
stood, there are few American citizens who will
lind the heart to condemn il. 1 also feel AZ
liberty to say that, as here explained, il has the
appreciation of every member OF the Presidents
Cabinet, and that the Secretary of War and
the Secretary OF the Interior Wilt hereafter. As
they have heretofore, act in perfect accord and
with perfect sincerity in endeavoring fully and |
completely to carry out and execute this policy.
Very respectfully yours, c. DELASo