The New York herald., 1875-11-29

BILE agents furnished this way has been far greater
than Il would have been by any other method OF ap
pointmenk When these agents. thus selected, have
reached their distant fields Of duty they ind in the
relations which they bear 20 the Christian people
how they represent a constant inspiration 70
fidelity Any ht to receive such an appoint
ment constantly recognize the duty upon MIN 70
be not only the governments but 70 his own re-
gious convictions and 10 those in whose name ne has
been Ia engage in the work Of lifting men out Of
barbarsm And Il Is exactly this element OF enthusi-
asm which from living for an idea from the pur
pose consciousness OF living for others which -
most essential the effort OF civilization among In
dians For this reason most devoutly trust that the
government will still be inclined call upon tho re-
gious bodies OF the country 10 name the proper men
for Indian agents.
rHE WORK OF CIVILIZATION.
With these three essential conditions suitable coun
try reasonable appropriations and proper agents fur-
nished and continued for reasonable length OF ume
there not shade OF doubt my mind that the Indians
Of this country be reclaimed from barbarism and
fitted for citizenship and that every year from the
time Of its adoption ill its consnmmation will give in
creased demonstration OF the wisdom ultimate
Of the plan. But must be borne in mind that
all these conditions. namey-men, country and funds
relatively important in the order namcdare absolutely
essential II one Of them Is lacking the highest ex
celence Of the other two cannot repair the loss You
cannot ciyze the Sioux the Akai Plains of Dakota
with any amount OF funds and the best OF agents You
cannot ctvize the otoes the best soil in Nebraska,
with their large per capita annuity without an agent
capable OF his high trust You cannot ctvZe the Lao
Court Orelle Chtppewas In Wisconsin, on their hne
reservation and with all the eneouragements which
competent sub-agent give. without the means
necessary TO provide tor their first steps in civilized
labor
IL surely is not too much 10 expect that work OF such
magnitude. involving does the welfare Of many
poor who in all their history have stood such pecu-
liar relations TO the American people and who
attracting the increasing interest ofphianhropists and
scholars and the commscraton Of all classes shall OBJ
tain such recognition by the Congress Of the United
states as will remove the difficulties which have here
toiore been experienced In procuring the enactment OF
laws and the necessary appropriations for their train
ing IN civilization The expenditures OF the year OF
1873, exclusive OF expenditures OF funds derived from
lands, as compared with those OF 1873 show
q decrease OF 81, 0o2 o4T TO- The appropria-
tons for 1875 are S. & s27 TO- and from present pros
poets IL Is not expected that deficiency for this year
win arise exceeding Saoo,ooo, making total Of
$36 635, S2 and dminuton of ST. 54 446 40 against
1878 This reduction of expense has occurred partly
by increased cheapness supplies and decreased cost
OF transportation; but mainly the dehnteness with
which numbers and wants of Indians have been
tained waste and issue OF supplies being thereby
in degree prevented. The cost OF maintaining all the
Indians except the wilder tribes like the Sioux, Ues,
Crows and Arckarces will steadily decrease from this
time until they TO be any burden 10 the gov
ernment and this not through any process Of extinct
ton but BECAUSE OF their increasing self support in
civilized mode OF life
1t is not improbable however that such additional
expenditure will be required, in bringing the wilder
tribes through the transition from state Of almost
complete barbarism into the beginning OF civilization
will make the totals of the appropriations for ereo
four years TO come equal TO those oil the last three
years and perhaps greater The problem OF the Sioux
discussed elsewhere, involves larger oulays for
at least three years than are now required for the
feeding process The Sioux the Upper Missouri,
with the Pegans and Backfeet who are now procuring
much the larger portion Of their subsistence by hunt
Ing will before long be compelled by scarcity OF game
70 depend upon government ration. When this
necessity comes 20 them and the Crows and Utes
the change from nomadic 10 an agricul-
tura life, which must necessarily follow, will bring
the temporary necessity OF corresponding increase OF
appropriations. These are the exigencies or the
crises which come in the history OF all tribes and the
fact shat the cost Of maintaining Indians Is growing
less notwithstanding there of them upon res
ervations under the immediate OF the govern
me tn-dA S
well very encouraging And II II were possible TO
show in figures the increased advantages which have
been derived from the comparative quiet upon the bor-
der and exemption from pilage and marauding, and
the very marked decrease in expenditures incurred
in campaigning against the Indians : most gratiying
accomplished II should also be remembered that
might naturally have expected an increase instead
Of dminution in disturbance and depreciation on the
part Of the Indians with correspondngly increased
cost for police and restraint by the army on account OF
the growing settlements which have pushed their way
every side up the border and sometimes into the
very heart of the Indian country.
Before yielding 10 any despair as TO the future IL Is
well 10 recall the fact that only years ago tho
United States was willing 70 make any promise 70 the
wild Sioux, whom We did not wish 10 nght, II they
would allow US TO push railway across their plains tow
ard tho Pacific coast Five OF the wisest and bravest
leading generals of the army did not consider deroga
tory 70 the dignity ofthe government 20 soemny sp
ulate, in order 70 gain this end, that the larger
part OF Dakota Nebraska and Wyoming claimed by the
savages should be trodden by white mans
foot; that military forts and roads should be dis
United States uniform should ever be seen within
thor reservation; the Indians should receive large
supplies OF ratons and clothing. fhe trains OF the
Union Pacific roads have been running daily undis-
turbed; the surrounding country has been occupied,
while Indian depredatons have greatly decreased; |;
the lands in Nebraska being occupied by
settlers the Indians having withdrawn their claim.
Soldiers TO be found in every part OF the Sioux
ervatlon, and the present has witnessed thou
sands OF miners and pilgrims swarming
the Sioux country and digging into their
sacred hills for gold Yet there has been
lighting under all this provocation which
FIVE years ago would have brought 10 900 warriors into
the field for which would not have less than
$50 600 900. And with any kind OF firm treatment
which bears resemblance 20 justice there will be
serions contention with this powerful tribe hereafter
Tho results have therefore, fully justified the negoa-
tions Of 1868 and have demonstrated most completely
that is far better feed aud temporize and parley
with wild, unreasonng savage until you have brought
him within authority and proper requirements that
ho may be assured from experience that the one
hand the government desires only his good and on the
other is able 70 compel submission 10 law.
The estimated cost Of lighting only small portion or
the Sioux in 1862 II funded, would yield annual in
tercst sufficient, the present unsatisfactory
plan, to care for the whole nation for all time.