Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1830-06-30

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son with what we find in civilized lands,
and would be Considered of little use by
those who have good ones; yet to these
people they arc Of great value. And ii
must excite pity in every one who looks
into their circumstances, TO see them la
boring TO cultivate the soil, build houses,
manufacture cloth, and struggling to rise
from their deep poverty, by the aid OF
such miserable tools as many of them are
obliged to use.
The Northeast district, in 1923, appro-
prated 81 800 of their annuity for the cs-
iablishment and support Of blacksmiths'
shops. In 1929, they appropriated their
whole annuity to similar objects. AS an
evidence of industry and public spirit, l
would mention that in one neighborhood
the natives have built smiths shop,
chopped wood for large coal pit, and
carried it on their backs to the place of
setting have built house for their
blacksmith, and cleared for him field
of twelve acres, all with their own hands;
they have purchased with their annuity a
set of tools, and iron and steel to the
amount of 5000, and have engaged to
pay their smith $500 more annually for
three years Similar provision has been
made for shops in other places.
Another evidence of the progress OF
improvement among the Choctaws, is the
Organization of civil government. In
1896 a general council was convened, at
which constitution was adopted, and
Legislative powers were delegated to a
national committee and council, whose
acts, when approved by the chiefs, be-
came the supreme laws Of the land.
have now before Inc manuscrip pit code,
containing 90 laws, which have been
enacted by the constituted authorities,
and, so far as | know, carried into COM
plete execution. Among the subjects
embraced by these laws, are theft, muir
er, inlanticidc, marriage, polygamy, the
making of wills, and settling of estates,
trcspass, false testimony, what shall be
considered lawful enclosures around
fields, sc. sc.
Another evidence of Improvement we
have in the abolishing of ancient and i'll
furious customs: The erection of poles
in honor of the dead crying at these
poles morning, noon and nj ght, for weeks
and months; large meetings for feasting
dancing, and intemperance, when the
poles are pulled down, have been fruitful
sources of poverty and RIGHTEOUSNESS to
the Choctaws. These practices, inter-
woven as they were with the strongest
prejudces and superstitions of the people
have been abolished by an unanimous
vote in general council of the Western
district; and they are fast going out Of
practice; or becoming greatly modified
in the other parts of the nation. The
killing ofpersons for witchcrait, by which
innocent blood has been shed, is now
hardly known.
A great desire for the education OF
their children furnishes another proof OF
the advancement ofthe Choctaws. Pcti,
.ions are frequently made, requesting the
more have applied for admission TO the
boarding schools than could be received.
Nothing is now wanting but suitable per-
sons and adequate means to extend the
advantages of education to all parts OF
the Choctaw nation.
The preaching of the Gospel has, with
i'll the two past years, been attended with
very happy effects. To its influence
must be ascribed much of that impulse
which has recently been given to the
progress of civilization in the more ia
vored parts of the nation. The light
which the Gospel has difiused, and the
moral principles it has impaired to adul,
Choctaws, have laid foundation 70,
stability and permancncy in their inn
I, provemcnts. In this district, eighty-twc
natives, principally heads of families, arc
members of the church. All these, with
one exception, have maintained a con
sistent christian character, and would dc
honor to any Christian community.
So far as relates to the suppression OF
intcmpcrance, and the salutary effects OF
the laws generally, the preceding re-
marks will apply, with few exceptions, to
the whole nation. The direct inaucnce c
ofthc Gospel and of schools is more linn
tied in its effects, and, as yet, is princi-
pally confined to those parts of the nation
which have enjoyed the means oi'instruc-
ton. But what has been effected in
some parts of the nation, proves what
may be effected in all parts of it, by an
application of the same means.
| would not have il understood that
there is no opposition among the Choc-
taws to these measures of reform and
civilization. In all communities, many
arc found, who, from ignorance, preiu-
dice, or natural depravity, are opposed
to all efforts to reform or improve socic-
ty. This is especially to be looked for
amonp n hcothpn nconlc All ,vho or,