, 1873-04-29

The following letter is from the son OF Rev. E.
| Thomas, lately killed by the Modocs:
| Hon. 4. A. Sargent, United Staten Senator:
DEAR sn: It suddenly occurs to mo to write
you few words. It Was undoubtedly through
| you that father was appointed upon the Commits
sion to the Modocs, and it may be that, in spite
OF your 1udgmen: to tho contrary, your feelings
may condemn your agency in the matter. Do
not reproach yourself; neither for our sakes let
the policy Of the nation toward the Indians be
changed in its spirit, I'm obedience to the frenzy
! OF the hour. OF course they must be- punished
and overcome, and made to feel our power.
But read the Sacramento Record on the subject
Of the "Modoc Assassination Of the 18th
OF April, which have Just read II tho severest
punishment be visited upon the hostile Indians,
let peace and Justice and security be still sought
for others. Fathers heart WAS in the cause ID
which he gave his life, and the cause is worthy
and must be persevered in. We suffer for the
il-deeds Of our own race, and must still suffer,
perhaps. But we owe it to ourselves and to the
Indians to persevere. I hope you are with me-
still in this. Ihope Gen. Grant ia. Tho Indians
must know our power, and that our mercy ls not
cowardico-they must know our word is true. I
to some consideration. I am not asking for false
mercy, or that the frontiorsman be exposed to
any avoidab1e risk OF life and property. n
The Indians are what they are, believe, be-
cause the whites with whom they are in con-
tact have been what they have been. We are to
DA%Ao3 A@os eAA0 RNSA AAAAo<o3 DAS tao AoE%~AoA9P
lawless, perfdibus whites are guilty Of his
blood. We blame no one for his death. Now
that the first shock has passed away, we find
more to rejoice in than to mourn over. He WAS
ready-always ready. His heart was only
love. How any man or beast could meet the
kind smile of that face, and do the old man
harm, cannot understand. In the fullness OF
his power, in the ripeness Of his manhood,
when he was living every day 30 near the
heavenly world, and was always in near COM
munion with the better land, God took him
higher at once, painless. To few men, compare
lively, is it given to die like q martyr, and for
your agency In thus securing the past OF d
glorious Life in the service OF his Church and his
fellow-men, and in securing the future to him
and us, thank you. We will pluck up our
hearts, and follow On till God grants Us the
blessing Of death.
This fury will soon pass over. Without say
ing anything now, let the Government adhere to-:
its grand purpose to be just and true to these
children Of the land. Don't let the precious
blood Of the dead be only the signal for an in
sane crusade for vengeance. Let it not be for
war alone. They died who lived for peace. To
be sure peace will come through war, but not by
determination.
Mother bears it well; so do the children. We
are happy because he is happy beyond the
chance Of suffering. And he did suffer here, and
suffering made him perfect, He WAS already be-
yond the reach OF malice to anger or provoke
him, but not, Of course, to wound his soul. And
now his cup is full OF JOY. Iourf truly,
E. G. THoMAs.