The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1873-04-26

and legislative action
] hare the honor to remain, very respect
fully, your obedient servant,
L. L. CROUNSE.
INTERIOR DEPARfxENr,
WASHINGTON, April Is, 1873.
L. l.. Cronnse, ESQ.,:
DEAR SIR:-Your letter Of this date sug-
costing some utterances from me, at the pres
emit moment, as to the plan, purpose, and
scope Of the Indian policy of the department,
which has popularity and properly become
known As tie "peace policy" is before me.
It ought not to be necessary. and SO far as
the purposes Of the Government are con-
cerned it is not. to enter upon any fresh clu-
cidat ton Of what is meant BY this policy, but
as the pr bile mind is sought to be confused,
If not infamed, by the criticisms and mis-
representations to which you allude, as to
the real purposes animatipg the Government
In its course toward the Indian tribes, ven
tuIe to present, briefly as l may, and dis
tinctiy as possible, an answer to your in
quiries
l. The "peaee policy proposed to place
Indians upon reservations as rapidly as pos
sible, where they can be provided for in such
manter as the dictates Of humanity and
Christian civilization require. Being thus
placed upon reservations, they will be re-
moved from such contiguity to our frontier
settlements as otherwise will lead necessa-
r'ly to frequent outrages, wrongs, and dis
turbances of the public peace. On these res
creations they can be taught as fast as pos
sibie the arts of agriculture and such pur-
suits as are incident to civilization, through
the aid of the Christian Organizations of the
country now engs ged in this work, acting in
harmony with the Federal Government
Their intellectual, moral, and religious Gull
ture can be prosecuted. and thus it is hoped
that humanity and kindness may take the
place OF barbarity and cruelty. If & major.
ity Of the people Of the United States pre-
fer determination to the course here indica
ted, and desire to see all the horrors and
bloodshed and loss of life among both whites
and Indians incident to the policy of exter-
mination, then it is well enough TO denounce
in vague and general if not upmeaning terms
the Quaker policy"
2. Whenever it shall be found that any
tribe or band of Indians persistently refuse
to go upon = reservation, and determine to
continue their nomadic habits, accompanied
with depredations and outrages upon our
frontier settl. ments, then it is the policy of
the President to treat such band or tribe with
all needed severity, 10 punish them for their
outrages according to their merits. and thus
to teach them that it is better to follow the
| advice of the Government and 90 upon res
ervations and become civilized rather than to
continue their native habits and practices.-
The recent conduct Of the ModOcs will furn-
ish TO the Government an example for the
treatment of such tribes and bands as re-
fuse to accept the benevolent purposes of
what is termed the "Quaker policy" There
may be some SO impressed with the necessity
of non-resistance as to object to the punish
ment of Indians under the circumstances last
referred to. II there be any such they will,
feel assured, find opportunity for COM
planning because the policy is not peaceable
enough.
8. 1t IS the determin ,tion Of this policy TO
see that all supplies, Of every kind and ma
ture, whether for food or clothing. purchased
for such Indians as are upon reservations
and remain at peace, are procured at fail
| and reasonable prices, SO that the Indians
| neriting these supplies may receive the same
without having the funds of the Government
squandered in their purchase. If there bs
any whose vocation may be interrupted by be-
| ing deprived of the profits which specula-
ton or peculAtion may have heretofore af.
forded in the purchases for Indians, sucf
persons will find abundant reason to COM
plain. because the "Quaker policy" deprive.
them of the opportunity of gains and pref.
heretofore enjoyed in this business.
4. 1t is the purpose of the Government, as
fast as possible, through the instrumentalit
and by the advice of the religions organiza
tons, and by all other means within its pow
er, TO procure competent. upright, faithful
moral and religious agents to care for thu
Indians that &c upon reservations, to dis
tribute the goods and provisions that ar
purchased for them by the benevolenee Of tn
Government, to aid in their intellectual, NOR
al, and religious culture, and thus to assis
in the great work Of humanity and benevo
lence which the peace policy means. If Their
he any who are thus deprived of Government
positions and efEice that have hitherto al
. forded large prof: without labor. and with
out merit, and who are TO be prevented il
the future from deiraudiag Indians for thei
, own personal gain. those persons may com
+ plain of the "Quaker policy" and demsn
ex.ermination.
5. II is the purpose Of the peace policy
: establish schools, and through the instru
mentality of the Christian organizations
acting in harmony with the Government, a
fast as possible to build churches and organ
ize Sabbath schools, whereby these savage
may be taught better way of life than the
, have heretofore pursued, and be made to vi
de-stand the comforts and benefits of
Christian civilization, and thus be prepare
; ultimately to become citizens of this grea
l nation.
These understand to be the purposes
the Presidents peace policy, and this seen
: TO be the occasion when it ought to be
4 studied as to be understood; for | belize
Z that, when understood, there are few Amer
can citizens who will find the heart to col
J demr il. also feel at liberty to say that,
: here explained, it has the appreciation of e
q cry member of the Presidents Cabinet, a
that the Secretary of War and the SecretaI
Of the Interior will hereafter, ~ they ha
heretofore, act in perfect accord and wi
e., sincerity in endeavoring fully and coMplet
] " to carry out and execute this policy. We
respectfully yours, q. DELANO.