It promotes beggary, perpetuates pauperism, and stifles industry.  It is an effectual barrier to progress.  It must continue to a greater or less degree as long as tribes are herded on reservations and have everything in common.  The Indian should be treated as an individual—­like the white man.  During the change of treatment inevitable hardships will occur; every effort should be made to minimize these hardships; but we should not because of them hesitate to make the change.  There should be a continuous reduction in the number of agencies.

In dealing with the aboriginal races few things are more important than to preserve them from the terrible physical and moral degradation resulting from the liquor traffic.  We are doing all we can to save our own Indian tribes from this evil.  Wherever by international agreement this same end can be attained as regards races where we do not possess exclusive control, every effort should be made to bring it about.

I bespeak the most cordial support from the Congress and the people for the St. Louis Exposition to commemorate the One Hundredth Anniversary of the Louisiana Purchase.  This purchase was the greatest instance of expansion in our history.  It definitely decided that we were to become a great continental republic, by far the foremost power in the Western Hemisphere.  It is one of three or four great landmarks in our history—­the great turning points in our development.  It is eminently fitting that all our people should join with heartiest good will in commemorating it, and the citizens of St. Louis, of Missouri, of all the adjacent region, are entitled to every aid in making the celebration a noteworthy event in our annals.  We earnestly hope that foreign nations will appreciate the deep interest our country takes in this Exposition, and our view of its importance from every standpoint, and that they will participate in securing its success.  The National Government should be represented by a full and complete set of exhibits.

The people of Charleston, with great energy and civic spirit, are carrying on an Exposition which will continue throughout most of the present session of the Congress.  I heartily commend this Exposition to the good will of the people.  It deserves all the encouragement that can be given it.  The managers of the Charleston Exposition have requested the Cabinet officers to place thereat the Government exhibits which have been at Buffalo, promising to pay the necessary expenses.  I have taken the responsibility of directing that this be done, for I feel that it is due to Charleston to help her in her praiseworthy effort.  In my opinion the management should not be required to pay all these expenses.  I earnestly recommend that the Congress appropriate at once the small sum necessary for this purpose.