National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1873-04-18
THE INDIAN POLICY OF THE ADMIN
ISTRATION.

Letter From Secretary Delane.
Secretary Delano has written the following
letter.
DEAR sR-Your letter OF this date, suggesting
some utterance from me, at the present mo-
ment, a. TO the plan, purpose, and scope OF the
Indian policy Of the Department which has
popularity and properly become known as the
peace policy" IL before me. II ought not TO
I've necessary-And so far as the purposes Of the
Government are concerned II Is MOTTO enter
upon fresh elucidation Of what Is meant by this
policy. But as the public mind Ia sought to be
confused, II not lnnamed, by the criticisms and
Misrepresentation to which you allude, a.
10 the real purpose animating the Government
brieny as NAV and as distinctly as possible,
an answer to your inquiries.
I. 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 civlli-
1atlon require. Being thus placed upon reser-
yatiUns, they will be removed from such con-
tigulty TO our frontier settlements as otherwise
will lead, necessarily, to frequent outrages,
wrongs, and disturbance OF the public peace.
fast as possible the arts Of agriculture and such
pursuits as arc Incident TO civilization. Through
The aid Of the Christian organizations OF the
country now engaged In this work, acting In
harmony with the Federal Government, their
intellectual, moral and religious culture can be
prosecuted; and thus IL Is hoped that humanity
anu kluNUtAh may tut pihCt VI uhiUuiUl
and cruelty. II q majority Of the people OF the
United states prefer determination to the
course here Indicated, and desire TO see all the
10th whites aud Indians, Incident TO the policy
Of determination, then 1t II Is well enough TO de
nounce, In vague and general, II not unmean'
\. Whenever Il shall be found that any
tribe or band Of Indians perststently refuse TO
go upon q reservation, and determine 10 con-
iinue their nomadic habits, accompanied with
lnnFRIaIipua anil OutTaQpa frontier
settlements, then II Is the policy Of the Presl.
dent to treat such band or tribe with all needed
sTs 20 m.Ts IS SSs
that 1t is better to follow the advice OF the Gov
Crnment, and go upon reservations and become
civilized rather than to continue tselr native ",
the Modocs will furnish to the Government an
example for the treatment Of such tribes and
bands as refuse TO &C ,ept the benevolent pgrs
There may be some so impressed with the ne.
Ccssity Of no resistance as TO object to the
punishment Of Indians under the circumstances
last referred to. II there be any such, they will
feel assured, md opportunity for complaining
because the policy is not peaceable enough.
rs The dstCrmi9a!lon q & THIS policy !. tc
whether food or for clothing, purchased fol
such Indians as are upon reservations ant
remain At peace are procured % At ,,i,LS far anS
these supplies may receive the same without
having the funds OF the Government squandered
On their purchase. II there be any whose yoca
tiOn may be Interrupted by being deprived ol
the profits which speculation or peculation may
have heretofore Afforded In the purchases foi
Indians, such persons will md abundant reason
10 complain because the quaker policy" de-
prlyes them OF the opportunity OF gains and
pronts heretofore enjoyed In this business.
4. II Is the purpose OF the Government, AZ
fast as possible, through the instrumentality
and by the advice Of the religious organizations,
and by all means within Its power to procure
competent, upright, faithful, moral and religious
agents to care for the Indians that go upon res
eTyatlons to distribute the goods and provisions
that are purchased for them by the beneyolenc,
Of the Government TO aid In their Intellectual
in The great WON OF humanity and beneSolenc,
which the peace policy means. IL there be AM
who are thus deprived OF Government position
nnd ONCE that have hitherto afforded large prom
without labor and without merit, and who are u
he prevented In the future from defraudlng In
dlans for their own personal gain, those person.
may complain OF the Quaker policy" and de
S. II Is the purpose OF the peace policy to es
tabsh schools, and, through the fundamentally
OF the Christian organizations acting In harmony
with the Government, az fast as possible Il
build churches and organize Sabbath schools
whereby these sayages may be taught bette
way Of life than they have heretofore pursued
and be made to understand the comforts and
benefits OF Christian civilization, and thus b,
prepared ultimately to become citizens OF thli
great nation.
These understand to be the purposes of tho
Presidents peace policy; and this seems 10 bt
the occasion when IL ought 70 be so studied as tC
he understood, for ] believe that when under,
stood, there are few American citizens who viii
md the heart to condemn It. | also feel at lib
erty 70 say that, as here explained, II has thu
appreciation Of every member OF the Presidentt
scIs,a,y my nI thS' ,ha me sseIefSr Gi war and %!
have heretofore, act In perfect accord and will
perfect sincerity In endeAvoring fully and com
pletely to carry out and execute this policy.
Very respectfully yours, Z. DELANo