Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1877-12-12

ing the difficulties which now exist,
leave TO your mature consideration
THE INDIAN TRIBES.
The present condition of the Indian
tribes in the territory Of the United
States, and our relations with them, are
fully set forth in reports Of the secre-
tary of the interior and the commits
sioner of Indian affairs. After series
of most serious conflicts, the successful
termination Of which, while rejecting
honor on the brave soldiers who accom-
plishcd il, cannot lessen our regret AT
the occurrence, we are now ut peace
with all the Indian tribes in our borders.
TO preserve that peace by just and
humane policy will be the object Of my
earnest endcavors. Whatever may be
said Of their character and savage pro
pensity, of the difficulties of introduc-
ing among them the habits OF civilized
life, and the obstacles they have offered
To the progress of settling in certain
points III the country, the In
dams are certainly entitled to
every sympathy and conscientious
respect On our part, for their claims
upon our sense of justice. They were
the aboriginal occupants ofthc lands We
now possess; they have been driven
from place to place; the purchase
money paid to them i'll some cases for
what they called their own has still left
them poor. In many instances when
they had settled down upon the land
assigned to them by compact and begun
to support themselves by their own
abors, they were rudely jostled OH and
thrust into the wilderness again Many,
if not most all of our Indian
wars have had their origin
in broken promises and acts of injustice
on our part and the advancing of Indians
in civilization has been slow. We can
not expect them to improve and follow
our guidance unless we keep faith with
them III respecting the rights which they
possess; and unless, instead of dcpriy-
ing them of their opportunities, we lend
them helping hand. cordially APP
prove the policy regarding the manage
ment Of Indian affairs outlined in re
ports of the secretary Of the interior
and of the commissioners of Indian
affairs, The faithful performance of
our promises is the first condition of
good understanding with the Indians. |
| cannot too urgently recommend to
congress that prompt and liberal pro
vision be made for the conscientious
fultillment of all agreements entered
into by the government with the Indian
tribes. TO withhold the means ncces-
sary for the performance of promise,
1 -, 1,,F, cal
prove disastrous in It's consequences.
Especial care Is recommended
to provide for the Indians settled
on their reservation, cattle and agricul-
tural implements to aid them III what.
ever efforts they may make to support
themselves, and by the rc-establishment
and maintenance of schools to bring
them under the control Of civilized in
! ilucnCes. ! see no reason why Indians
who can give satisfactory proof of hay
| ing, 10y their own labor, supported their
families for number of years, and
who are willing to detach themselves
from their tribal relations, should not
be admitted to the benefits of the home
stead act and the privileges of citizen
| ship, and recommend the passage Of
Il law to that effect. II will be an act of
| Justice rs we'll rs n measure of en-
enlargement Earnest efforts are be
ing made to purify the Indian service
SO that every dollar appropriated by
congress shall rebound to the benefit Of
! the Indian benefited. The efforts will
have my firm support. With an inn
proved service, and every possible en-
| I,1 ~ 10 hn nd, TO
better their condition and to elevate
them in the scale of civilization, we
may hope to do ut some time good
work for them, and for ourselves
! | invite the attention of congress to the
| importance Of statements and sugges-
tons by the secretary of the interior
THE TIMBER THEfTs.
Concerning the deprcdations commit
ted upon timber lands of the United
States and the necessity for the pre-
scrvatiOn of forests it is believed that
the measures taken in pursuance Of the
existing laws to arrest these dcpreda-
tions will be entirely successful
if congress, by an appropriation
for that purpose, renders their
continued enforcement possible
The experience Of other nations
teaches us that country cannot be
stripped of its forests with impunity,
and we shall expose ourselves to the
gravcst consequences unless the waste
full and improvident manner in which
the forests in the United States are de
stroyed be ehectualy checked. |
earnestly recommend that the measure
suggested by the secretary Of the in
terror for the suppression of dcpreda
tons on the public timber lands of the
! United Statc4. for the sclline Of timber