Harper's Weekly

“ Force would be seldom necessary if it were always at hand, because the Indians respect the power which is plainly able to assert itself. At the same time, the policy of extermination, which is so popular with some Western politicians, is worthy of savages only. Whatever advancing civilization demands, it does not require the foulest injustice; and wherever injustice is urged, it is evident that barbarism has demoralized advancing civilization. ”

“ If, from the necessity of the case, the Indians are still to be treated as wards, the true policy is to make them as secure as possible, because without the sense of security the process of civilization will be constantly retarded. ”

“ Obviously there are but three ways in which the Indians can be regarded — as a foreign people, as wards of the nation, or as ordinary citizens. Our practice has been to treat with tribes as nations, but under this pretext we have imposed our own will upon them as wards. To carry out this policy by supplies of food and clothing, there is a system of civilian agencies, and the army is summoned only when there are actual outbreaks of the Indians, escapes from reservations, or raids upon settlements. ”