RECOLLECTIONS OF AN INDIAN AGENT. 239 tion implies, is an unjust because untruthful aspersion of the character of a man who was sagacious enough to see that jus- tice to the Indian meant safety to the whites, and who believed that God made of one blood all the nations of the earth. After Palmer's unsuccessful run for Governor in June, 1870, the nomination for which was imposed upon him by enthusiastic friends who wished thereby to emphasize their approval of the public services, which had stood the test of more than ten years' experience, he was appointed agent for the Siletz reservation. This was at the beginning of the new departure taken by the government under Grant's adminis- tration, of putting the Indian agencies under the immediate influence of the various religious denominations. The Siletz was awarded to the Methodists and the Umatilla to the Catho- lics. Though Joel Palmer was a Methodist and more of a practical Christian than any other Methodist I knew, he was not a preacher, exhorter, or loudly professing sectarian. Neither did he think that the way to civilization for the In- dian was by a religious revival of the camp-meeting order, but through industrial changes that must, to be successful, become habits. A young preacher by the name of Howard had a place there and was directed by his church to bring religious infuences to bear upon the unconverted and untaught wards of the government. Agent Palmer was not averse to the church methods of Howard and promoted them by his counsel and presence, when not otherwise engaged. This, however, did not satisfy the fervor of Howard, who insisted that the agent should enter more actively into the religious work, praying, singing, etc. To those who understand the exactions of re- ligious devotees, it is needless to say that the charge of luke warmness is a very serious one, and, if true, cannot be con- doned by the possession of the silent virtues. So Agent Palmer, while above suspicion as to moral character and prac- tical skill in the management of secular affairs, was reported by Evangelist Howard as lacking in religion and, therefore, not a fit man to prove, the efficacy of Methodism, in competi- tion with Catholicism, Presbyterianism, etc., in Christianizing
