New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-07-30
AN ADDRESS BY THE INDIAN COMMIS-
SIONERS.

THE WORKINGS OF THE PEACE PoIICY-TTs EFFECT
UPON TIE MANNERS OF THE INDIANs-TuE
SIOUX ONLY RESIST IT-CCRRrPT AGENTs-IN-
DIAN RINGS LIKE ALL OTHER kINGs-MES OF
CHARACTER NEEDED AS AGENTS.
Long BRANCH, n. j., July 29.-The Board
of Indian Commissioners. who have been in consultation
with the President to-day have issued the following ad
dress 10 the public:
To he Christian Public: The Board Of Indian Commits
s!oncrs. in view OF inc piesen, aS'a,t"n ul"n -, t
Affairs. feel moved To present tn. brrf address 10 me
Christian comnuniOns of tie land, nine OF whose mis-
sionary ORGANIZATIONS we may regard a. our pithou.
constituencies. Speaking from our o"n deep ana honest
cony cons ask careful and prayefu attention 10 the
statements and appeals wien we mere max. ,oora
the Indians is cnnenily humane aud Christian; and
being such, should command the aid and SUPPORT OF al
religious bodies and al Christian men. That policy Is
peace. 10 pr0puses the government OF thr ooo'ooo
ze and elevate hem by the same AGENCIES wien are
used rs Christian missions throughout the world sup
pcin MED 10y such aid and succor as the Government
give. this end not only every nlene' 1i NE
Board, hut nearly all tho eighty Indian agents VINO dis
burse the bDuntes OF the Government to the Indians
are appoInte nomination OF the various missionary
rel gious bodies which nave missions among
tlcn The cooperation of the Government win tines,
religious bodies not formal, bat Is full, generous, ana
coididl. . . -, ,. - 4, No.,
b clnnruy sor, s,flll The In lans are taxing on the
dress manners. habits and occupations OF rlNAeu me
The idrru are being educated ON own tongue, an l.
with the parents, are BENZ taught ne Industries uceu
for support aud prosperity i'll civlIlAed STATE inc eA
and uowerfnl ban l. of Sioux lnans, under anne clris
who occupy a Wild region III the high attnds oil the
rea hers and nstrctO either IN books OF elfilIn
arts. But these Wild bands there Is marked
Improvement, and great i Oinsc III INC hnc Vi Poe' VI
der and quiet for the future. III, -.
crsng care taken by the religious bnrs III TIE set
ton lie nominated Tor ailolhth nus as i2'itS
OF tncsc larger asehcies reiult" i I'VE ~ in ~,
ag nt of higher class tnan can cas- y ne commanded
. by the small salaries affixed by law IL "ouin NOT scent
etlaugc therefore. II now ANA tne one Tlu'u Prov in
~ ltYFn L.
ami line character Of some oi the contract
or- and traders with whom they are bIoshl ID contact
now and then should become corrupt but We Icrl
c,nlldcnt that this department tue GovcriIncn. was
honestly served as 1T tue pres ~ ane;
on the part ~ the Government to remove agents
recommendation, who are proved 10 ne lnr"'i" ,
cut or corrupt Neither this Board nor the Governments
would be- justified IN acceptng loudnohtheh ACQUISITIONS
for proof Of guilt, espcin IN view Oh e sos 'u' ,Y,,
appointed contractors ana traders "noc holc VI k,r'
under careful letting of contracts an! rsiu III,
sIecton of supplies Is gone. Nor ON the othcr mana
would they be Justified IA withholding te most leiu i
v,stIgaton hen as in oone c.ss charges "io ne "
respectable and Responsible parties.
fourth: We are not awaic OF the existence OF any
rings" in connection with tue Indian ssItlte ulhe
ot m from the rings combinations which ar" seen
by all connection with the lettg OF All
large contracts III other public or III private setSi'e
W,ere there r carcass the yuluies Will gather IL Is
duty this Board to watch and ~ M rs possible 10
crcumvent the success OF these conn nations, hl 'u
secure for the ut and for the Indian the largest
benefit be derived hUm tee Government aIpIolIa-
vSnfagco ana while the administration Of this year in
respect purchasing, nspc, tig ANA forwarding an
unity goods been careful as possible VIC are To-
suly.t upuu rs careful disbursement Through the agents
n can be had through own personal oversight ana
such helps rs law provides Ii Is due Ia te Govern
enl 10 say that In this matter We arc not lindetd, but
aided In every way allowed by the law.
FVh From the fosesoing statements, IT Will be seen
thai the Of this humane policy depends Largely
upon sagacity and wi,dcm OF the MISSIONARY Boards
the selection Of men whom hey Nominate ior sne posi-
tius OF agents. Men OF capacity III every day Affairs az
well OF good character are required of tnis wQrA
linen whose everyday mnience is in Itself elevats
and ciyllzmg-cn who have some capacity Tor leacr-
shiu and enough to constran them ever In
right direction Again there required on Tue part oi al
good men comprehension Of the difficulties OF this work.
fair amount of patience with those who administer 1t.
and dis position 10 wait for proof o. corruption, before
ILcy Withdraw confidence frUm those wno have dc
servedly enjoy.dt,
Much OF present clanOr raised and promoted by
bad men, and Ia aimed at This humane policy with
desire to destroy IT, though It's destruction should
lead to tue determination OF the Indians We cannot
therefore, close this address without nsktny earnest
attention 10 the fact that for several years. The Indian
service NJ Q whole and ia deta las boei And SIN 49,
virtually within the supervision und control VI the r.
ixoas bodies Of the country and, upon tAem ahd TIC