For the second requisite to our growth and prosperity time and a firm but humane administration of existing laws (amended from time to time as they may prove ineffective or prove harsh and unnecessary) are probably all that are required.

The third can not be attained by special legislation, but must be regarded as fixed by the Constitution itself and gradually acquiesced in by force of public opinion.

From the foundation of the Government to the present the management of the original inhabitants of this continent—­the Indians—­has been 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 legislation or the conduct of the whites who come most in contact with the Indian blameless for these hostilities.  The past, however, can not be undone, and the question must be met as we now find it.  I have attempted a new policy toward these wards of the nation (they can not be regarded in any other light than as wards), with fair results so far as tried, and which I hope will be attended ultimately with great success.  The 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 neighbors 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 the selection of agents upon the society itself.  The result has proven 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 are 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 establishing a permanent peace, to the end that some portion of his life may be spent within the limits of civilized society; the latter has no such personal interest.  Another reason is an economic one; and still another, the hold which the Government has upon a life officer to secure a faithful discharge of duties in carrying out a given policy.