New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-02-08

worst. The ablest of our generals after six months
careful examination of the causes of an Indian war
just closed, after searching examination into the
condition and wants of the Indians after personal
inspection Of many Indian agencies, declared
that the Bureau ought not 10 be transferred 10 the
| War Department. They sand that our Indian wars
were wholly unnecessary. and that they were
always caused by our own wrong-dong. They said
that this vexed Indian question needed 70 other
solution than " do INTO others a. We
would have them do unto YOU" They
said that if designed to have war with
the Indians then they should be placed in the care
Of the War Department that if we desired 10 have
peace, then they should remain IN a civil depart
ment. 1t was not "a hastv opinion; 1t was the calm
deliberate Judgment of wise men after they
| had weighed and examined all the facts. !
| object to the transfer because defective
Indian system will work no more smoothly
aud our violated faith will be no more tocr-
able with uniformed agents than with men in
civilians dress. know personally of as grave
rors IN the Army administration OF Indian affairs
can be found in their civil administration. object
to the change because the Army cannot spare Of
hcers Of high character and large experience
az Indian agents. II they could be spared they
would not accept the trust. The change would
be made the pretext for scores of poti-
grade an honorable service without benefttng the
Indians Iobject the transfer because the Indians
were in the care Of the War Department for over
fifty years, and We cannot recall any part of that
history with pleasure The change to a civil de-
partment was the result Of earnest plea of the
Secretary Of War for reform in the methods Of In
dian administration. Both Congress and the De-
partment confessed the absolute necessity Of the
change
| pay all honor to the brave men who have
grown gray in the service Of the country. They
brave noble men, who like the centurion Of old.
fear God and love righteousness. l cannot forget
the debt Of gratitude which owe to the officers
of the Army who have spoken words of indignation
against those who have wronged the Indians and
who have always sought 10 ameliorate the sad con-
ditiOn of this hapess race. | have never felt my
heart moved with deeper pity than when have
heard the tale Of brave men murdered In unjust
Indian war where no glory could be gained for
themselves and no honor for their country.
Ny conviction is clear that force is not the
weapon 70 WIN human love or 10 lead wandering
sayages 10 civilization. Under orr wretched sys-
TEN instances Of harsh dealing would be multiplied
by the proposed change.
DEALINGS WITH TIE INDIANS ILLUSTRATED.
lean recall many Instances Of our dealing with
poor ogtlawed people, which 1 an sure the sober
Judgment Of the Army would condemn. | mention
one without note or comment.
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT Ngv.,IrxICo.
SAME rs. Nov. 70. 1875. (
10 the AssstaHt AdjttqHt general DeOart5etOf s Ms
s0tri. Fart LCGrcHT0rtt
SIR: Tresp,cttl, rcpo-t that p MO and DIS hand Of
Me-ou8ro ApacAe-. numbering about 500 persons
have word that they wish ~ rcrn 20 H. Igeuc~
at stanton They have been living for some year,
win biz Comi1che- on 0r about the head-waer- II
Br4zo, and Colorado Rivers. A. the band afraid ro
come ID wtnour assurance OF projection, and probably
Ir q @
starved II would be- necessary 90 have troops tu protect
their march, aut would require au issue OF eu u twenty
dav- rat on Of beef II t. believed that these Indians
lad better ne brought to me Ne-cutFo Ee-'F ,l'u
should the Commanding General decide That 3. Is 1dNis.
able can amy authority bc obtained or tine issue OF 1ee
rat.0us tLeu while 10 charge ot me % ops Very re-
snectiu'ly your oDodeut servant. EDWARD HICH.
Coloue. 9jh Cavalry. commanding.
The answer TO this appeal in behalf OF 500
starving men. women and children was this
HEADQUARTERS
MILITARY DIVISION OF TIE MISSOURI
CHICAGO. De. Is, 1876. )
Commenting. General DepaA'e" " ~e Missouri, f.
81. Ref.rriu 10 Colonel H3tch's letter OF November
% Inst rcuurtu- that PuO's band OF he~cularo Apa-
cnes desire TO r,turn the Indian Agency At f. stan
ION and stating that II their request E granted It vii De
necessary furnish troops To protect their march ana
% authorize au issue of ten or tWtAly GAYS idou- OF
bre for the subsistence ~ tine IDdan- am instructed
fo inform Won that the l4uteuaut-Gcu"ra declines 10
authorize the n,hS oI any supplies To- iAtHe IHdaus
and recommends u they should come INTO me agency
they he discounted n these Indians ID not come IN
the Ieuieuau feucra tuiuSs hey should Doe dttIrbed
r. G. DRUM, Adjutant-ieneraL
War Is no playthug. know that severe treat
meut may at times be necessary. Ii Is because the
Army exists As the representative Of force, without
pity for the helpless, that object to its -uppaut
inr the methods Of peace kindness and love. IL Is
the fa.hou To sheer at the Quaker policy. Men who
are ignorant Of the causes which lie back OF our
Indian wars laugh az the sOAcItude OF those who
are weary of policy which has brought peren-
NAL harvest OF sorrow and blood. | know that
the so-cal,rd peace policy" was not failure With
ont being able TO change feature of our Indian
-y-trrn President Grant resolved that the admins
tratIon Of Indian affairs should be one Of kindness,
Justice and mercy. 1t was Inauguratad at a time
when the Indians VIC turbulent aad WIrllke.
Many tribes were engaged IN hOstllltles. The new
policy was hoiel by white men aud Indians with
hope Hundreds Of savage men have under II be-
came p.a,.ful citizens Where once you heard only
the discorlant sound OF IN" medicine drum and the
yyar-,laure. are now heard the peaceful hum OF IN
du,trv and the sound of song and prayer
There are no missions GU earth which have brought
~ the Christian Church more abundant rewards
When the Episcopal Church began this work all
was DARK a. miGuight-eyerything which the malice
of the devil or the cupidIty OF bad men could do
has been done 70 hinder our work. Yet to-day we
have Indian clergy. who lar away IN our Northern
forests are preaching the Gospel 70 their heather
countrymen. 1 can point TO settlements OF
civilized Indians, no whit behind in Or
der, industry and SobrIety, any white set
Elements IN Minnesota The missions Of the
Presbyterian and Episcopal Churches among the
Sioux have been wonderfully blessed in men res
cued from heather savagery to SIT a. Christians
clothed and in their right minds. A crisis has come
in our Indian affairs We have 1t IN orr power 70
atone for the past by kindness and justice to the scat
tered remnant OF the Indian nations IN our charge
II we WILL we can adopt peace policy when VIII
bring untold blessings 10 ourselves ana 10 our
indian wards. But If we Will not heed the voice
OF humanity and OF God. We shall reap harvest