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Show .. C G. Hall to ycu, you would require the same treatment from others; but I thought that perhaps a very distinct and pronounced stand taken by yourself on the subject might prevent bad blood a little later. I wish you would have the agency force understand that it is my wish that nothing should be done to humilitate these men now that they have resolved to do the wise thing, but that, on the contrary, they be welcomed back as a "matter of course" Tine fruits oi' their escapade are likely to be reaped by them later in various ways, and v/ill continue to serve as reminders of their folly without its being rubbed into them through any satire or upbraidings. It will not be necessary to kill any fatted calves for these prodigals, but I should like to have them treated as white persons would be treated under similar circumstances, having gone away on a business trip which did not pan out very well and coming back satisfied that they had made a mistake- Indeed, in general,my theory of treating a matter of that kind is to pay as little attention to it as possible. The more attention Is paid_, the greater the chance of the persons who figure in it being martyrised and beatified. vJe cannot afford to have that sort of tiling. I have had before me for some little time one or two projects of yours and have talked them over with the Secretary, because I wanted to have very definitely laid down a general policy, as haphazard settlements of one question cr another are comparatively ineffective. If you have a line to work toward you are sure where you are going and whether you are making any progress. |