Page:U.S. Department of the Interior Annual Report 1872.djvu/9

Rh it is a question which each man will doubtless settle in his own way, from his own stand-point. I have no doubt, however, but that the civilizing portion of the policy has exerted a most wholesome influence upon the entire question, inasmuch as it has brought into the Indian service an entirely new element, the direct effect of which has been the great improvement in the personnel of the service, and, consequently, in the entire treatment of the whole Indian population.

Industrial progress and settlement have been unimpeded, probably as much on account of the more humane treatment of the Indians, as because of their confinement to a smaller area upon restricted reservations; and they have also submitted more quietly to confinement upon smaller reservations, for the same reason. Many, if not a majority, of the causes which, in years past, excited Indian hostilities, have ceased to exist. The Indians are becoming convinced of the entire good faith of the Government in its peaceful overtures, and they manifest a disposition to respond in a similar spirit of peace and good will.

That a semi-hostile condition still exists in some remote localities, as in Arizona and some portions of Texas, for example, is no doubt as property attributable to the non-extension of the policy in its entirety over those sections as to its inefficiency or failure. That it works uniformly well where it has had a thorough trial, even among tribes before regarded as almost incorrigible, is very good evidence that it will work equally well elsewhere, under similar circumstances.

In Arizona, the special commissioner, sent out by the Department, has reported improper or inefficient agents on duty and asked their removal, which is being done as rapidly as suitable persons can be found to replace them. It is but reasonable, therefore, to request the withholding of unfriendly criticism relative to the efficiency of the policy until the Department is prepared to announce that it is thoroughly inaugurated in all its parts over all the tribes under control of the Indian Office.

The military occupancy of posts adjacent to the Indian country has not been withdrawn, and should not be so long as there is the slightest danger of Indian incursions upon the settlements, or attempts to prevent the extension of new settlements in all legitimate directions. A show of strength will be needed for some time to enforce the new policy.

The policy of confining the wild tribes to smaller reservations is regarded as of the utmost importance; and carried forward to its full, extent, will result in restricting them to an area of sufficient extent to furnish them farms for cultivation, and no more. The rapid disappearance of game from the former hunting-grounds must operate largely in, favor of our efforts to confine the Indians to smaller areas, and compel, them to abandon their nomadic customs, and establish themselves in permanent homes. So long as the game existed in abundance there was little disposition manifested to abandon the chase, even though Government bounty was dispensed in great abundance, affording them