Year: 1872

struct in the various positions assigned them, and who understand that they are hired to work for their pay among the Indians, the same as If they were among the whites. No man who is a drunkard or an immoral man will be suffered to hold position on an Indian reservation, and by his example and practices debauch and degrade tire Indians rather than assist in elevating them.

 l You who have lived long on the frontier and have suffered from hostile Indians Tn ev- cry way, have seen the fruit of your iabors destroyed and your relatives murdered, must feel differently in regard to the Apaches, from those who live where an Indian has not been seen during their lifetime, and you should make more allowance for the differ ence of situation, surroundings, and educa- ton, have little more faith in the common feeling of white men in the East for their white brothers in the West, and try to rec ognize the fact that they, from their stand point, and according to their understanding of the Indian troubles, are as full nf sympa- thy for you as could be expected.

 The bitter personal abuse of individuals, like that heaped upon Colyer, before his ar rival in Arizona, and continued during his stay here and after his departure, was not calculated to help you, while it did not hurt him, and created the impression among his many friends that the citizens of Arizona were very rough and only semi-civilized. l am aware that those who come into coun- tries like this, from homes of safety, to live where nearly every movement of life is at tended by danger, after suffering losses Of property and friends, become the most ear nest advocates of the extermination policy. Such is apt to be the case in any similar sit uation; extremes meet, a warm friend when estranged becomes the most bitter enemy. No one knows in the eastern States, of the fiourishing state of society in Arizona; of the public schools, such as I visited in Tue son, scattered all over the Territory, of the establishment of churches in several of the larger settlements, of the general good char acter of the citizens as hard-wOrking, law abiding, progressive people. All those things shall bring to their notice on my return, and, by every means in my power, endeavor to promote greater interest in you and your future, greater faith in your resources and your desire to cooperate with them for a speedy peace.

 The object sought to be attained, is to get all the Indians settled on reservations and to keep them there, not in wretched idleness, shiftless dependents on Government bounty, but to educate them, give them something to do, learn them to plant and raise crops, to own property as individuals, to test their capacity and to improve their condition. This, you may think, in common with almost all frontiersmen, is almost an impossibility, and we all admit that it will be difficult tIsk. But, it is one that if begun fifty years ago would have civilized all the Indians in the United States before to-day. But, you say, "The Indians do not wish to go on res Al ..al d. not stay" When they accumulate provision they will leave and go to their old style of !, life, by murder and theft" If they refuse steal and kill settlers, they must be pursued and learned that they have no safcty-no homes outside of the reservations. fGreat applause.

 It is my earnest desire to do all that can to purify the army, to elevate its moral tore, to have such an improvement in the army that in its contact with the lower races its influence shall not be corrupting and destruc- tive, as it has hitherto been, and on my re- turn East shall work with this object all ways in view. There are bad men in the army, I regret to say, but aN are not bad and if there could be a more general good feel ing between citizens and soldiers, the ten dency would be to improve the state of af- fairs and to inspire mutual respect and re- gard. Because army officers do not do what you would wish, do not universally condemn them; consider that it is discouraging to officers to be constantly blamed for actions performed in the discharge of their duties, ; or for results which come from causes beyond their control Put yourselves in their places in imagination, and try to realize what their discomforts and trials must be in camp life, in country like this. Cultivate feeling of friendship for them, and you will always find your attentions repaid, and assure you that the hearty cooperation of the citizens with the army is necessary to bring about the re- suit you desire Remember that the peace policy has never been tried that previous to this attempt there has been no settled policy, only an abortive mixture of peace and war, feeding with one hand and fighting with the other, there has been no system for Agents to work on, and the Agents themselves have been changed with each successive Admins tration, and have not sought to benefit any one but themselves and too often have sought that end at the expense of the Indians whom they were appointed to protect; consider that now the policy of the Administration is well defined, and will be carefully and con S'Stentiy CaTrieu out, aIiu youi aiu anu SouH- sel with the officers in command at the vari- ous posts in the country will materially ad- vance the good work.

 Il have been surprised at the intelligence and shrewdncss of the Indians whom have seen in Arizona, and feel strongly hopeful and confident, that, when their faculties, which have hitherto been used only to your detriment, shall be turned to advancing their own elevation and improvement, you and all who witness, will be astonished at the pro- gress they will make.

 |, have briefly, but hope, clearly, stated the principles on which we mean to work and hope that they may prove satisfactory to you on mature consideration.

 It has given me great satisfaction to meet you here tonight, and thank you most sin cerely for the kind feeling you have exhibit ed and for your considerate, respectful atten- tion. The General took hls seat and was vociferously applauded.

 Il The audience called on Rev. E. ?. Smith, who complied with the request, saying, Ut is hardly proper for me to address you with