The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-11-30
INDIAN HOSTILITIES

have occurred in various localities In the
Territories, and have been suppressed by the
army; but in some cases, not without serious
loss OF life, both among soldiers and citizens.
| remain OF the opinion that permanent peace
| in the Indian country can only be maintained
| by the exhibition Of force sufficient to over
awe and keep In subsection the more warllke
and dangerous of the savages
| It is to be hoped that the time Is COM
| ing when the Indian can be governed by other
| methods; but, until he has been reached and
| elevated by the influences of education and
civilization, we must deal with him as he Is,
peace and make secure the lives OF settlers In
| his neighborhood. While therefore, We
should persevere in the effort to improve the
| condition of the Indian tribes, by teaching
| them the arts Of the herdsman and afterwards
those OF the hnsbandman and by providing
| for the education of their youth, we should
at the same time, confront them with such
military force as will teach them the futility
OF any attempt to resist the power of the
| United States. I also fully agree with the
General Of the Army In the opinion that such
provision should be made by Congress as
| will prevent the possibility OF suffering, for
| lack of food, among Indians confined upon
| reservations.
| In short, our policy towards the Indians
! should be designed to enfOrce these two propo-
sitions, viz:
| J.. Fair and just treatment OF the Indians.
including the faithful performance on our
part Of every promise; and
| g. The prompt and effectuai punishment Of
| all acts Of war on their part and to this end
the employment OF q sufficient military force
in the Indian country to act with vgor and
| success, when occasion requires and prevent
the possibility of the defeat or massacre Of
small detachnents OF our troops, by which
| Indian wars have been 50 often In the past
encouraged and prolonged.
The experiment of enlisting, for special ser
| vice, Indian scouts has proved quite success
full, and it has been source OF regret that the
department has not been able to employ g.
larger number. Under the existing law, which
treats such scouts as part Of the $4,000 en-
listed men OF the army, it has been impossi-
bic to employ, of the 1000 authorized, greater
number than 300 without imparing seriously
the efficiency OF the regular forces. AS a ma
terial aid in the management of Indian affairs.
| [ recon amend that the law be 80 amended aS
to authorize an increase Of the number Of
such scouts, and 50 as to declare them TO be
force in addition to the number of enlisted
men authorized for the army proper
| EDUCATION IN THE ARMY.
Section 1891 OF the Revised Statutes pro-
| vides as follows:
Schools shall be established at all posts, gar
rsons and permanent camps ct which troops
BE- nstructed in the common English % brances
of education. and especially In the history OF
the United States and the Secretary Of War
may be necessary to carry out this provision.
It shall be the duty Of the post or garrison conn
| T0Hn0Sr 10 SOL n BultaOiD ROOM CI UullUlug
| tor school and religious PURPOSES.
believing this to be an important provision
OF law from the full enforcement Of which
much benefit would accrue not only to the
service but to the enlisted men, many Of
whom sadly need the contemplated instruc-
| tiOn, In December last convened O. board Of
officers to consider what steps should be
taken to carry it out. This board, consisting
| Of the Quarternaster General, the Adjutant
General and the Judge Advocate General,
after full inquiry, made their report, recon-
mending the adoption Of certain rules for the
reading rooms The report OF said board was
approved by me and announced To the army
in general orders No. a, Of date May 49, 1878.
In pursuance OF the forty-fr3t Of said rules,
Col. 4. Med. McCook, aide-de-camp to the
General OF the Army, has been detailed to
schools. 1t is made his duty TO examine into
the system Of instruction.; to advise COM
manders Of posts OF defects which he may dis
cover, and to suggest M thods OF improve
rnent; to endeayor to bring about uniformity
in the methods OF management and instruc-
ton, and to make known throughout the army
the best methods and systems IL existence at
any military post. He Is to report the result
of his inspection fully to the War Department.
from time to time. Col: McCooK mas entered
the dseharged q ffs faf Sa authority
Congress be asked TO increase the extra per
diem of soldier teachers from thirty five to
fifty cents This Is necessary In order to se-
: cure thoroughly competent men, and would
probably lead to the enlistment OF class Of
educated young men With view TO detail
as teachers. 1t is further recommended that
| q liberal appropriation be made for expendi-
=, ture under the direction Of the Quartermas-
: ter General, for the erection Of buildings foH
schools AMI libraries at the different posts.
THE MEXICAS BORDER.
1 The innrpa9a Gf n1r forca n tho uinipitx7 nj