The Sun. — 1869-12-25 (London, England)

THE INDIAN QUESTION.  From the foundation of the Government to the present the management of tho original inhabitants of this continent—the Indians—has ben a subject of embarrassment and expense, and has been attended with continuous robberies, murders, and wars. From my own experience upon the frontiers and in Indian countries, I do not hold either the legislation or the conduct of the whites who come most in contact with the Indian blameless for these hostilities. The past, however, cannot be undone, and the question must be met as we now find it. .1 have attempted a new policy toward these wards of the nation (they cannot be regarded in any other light than as wards) with fair results, so far as tried, and which, I hope, will be at. .  tended ultitnately with great success. Tlie 'Society of Friends is well known as having succeeded in living in peace with the Indians in the early settlement of Pennsylvania, while their white neighbours of other sects in other sections were constantly embroiled. They are also known for their opposition to all strife, violence, and war, and are generally noted for their strict integrity and fair dealings. These considerations induced me to give the management of a few reservations of Indians to them, and to throw the burden of selection of agents upon the Society itself. Tho result has proved most satisfactory. It will be found more fully set forth in the report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs. For Superintendents and Indian Agents not on the reservations, officers of the army were selected. The reasons for this were numerous. Where Indian Agents are sent, there or near there troops must be sent also. The agent and the commander of troops are independent of each other, and are subject to orders from different departments of the Government. The army officer holds a position for life; the agent one at the will of the President. The former is personally interested in living in harmony with the Indian, and in the establishment of permanent peace, to tie end that some portion of his life may be epent within the limits of civilized society. The latter has no such personal interest. Another reason is an economk one ; and still another, the hold which the Government has upon a life offices to secure a faithful discharge of duties in carrying out a given policy. The building of railroads and the access thereby given to all the agricultural and mineral regions of the country is rapidly bringing civilized settlements into contact with all the tribes of Indians. No matter what ought to be the relations between such settlements and the aborigines, the fact is they do not harmonize well, and one or the other has to give way  in the end. A systt3m which looks to the extinction Of race is too horrible for a nation to adopt without entailing upon itself the wrath of all Christendom and engendering in the citizen a disregard for human life and the rights of others dangerous to society; I see no substitute for such a system except in placing all the Indians on large reservations as rapidly as can be done, and giving them absolute protection there as soon as they are fitted for it. They should be induced to take their lands in severally, and set up territorial government for their own protection. For full details on this subject, I call your special attention to the report of the Secretary of the Interior and the Commissioner of Indian Affairs.