The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1849-05-26
. Far The Pion Ger.

! tfCiO tAictS3 comparatively SpcdhiS, ub Ut
ter apathy aud indifference IN the minds of
the people OF the Union, as to the ultimate
destiny of the remaining aboriginal tribes in
this country. This isto be accounted for
by the suppositiop--not creditable one,
certainly--tha, the Americans generally are
so deeply absorbed in the pursuit of bust
ness, that they have little time TO devote TO
the consideration of subject which can be
suggestive 10 90 rieht-Ininded person of
other than huniliatiug reflections. For it
is universally conceded, that many wrongs
have been heaped upon this Inflated race,
and that this great nation will he held re-
i sponsible before God aud the world, not
only for having Inflicted positive evil aud
wretchedness upon the red man, but more
particularly for having failed to take any
measures, commensurate with the magni-
tude and importance of the object, for inn
proving his condition and thereby saving
him from destruction, If we except the
single case of the Canaanites, who were ex-
Itirpated by the children Of Israel at the es-
pecial command of Jehovah, la fulfillment
of bis inscrurable purposes, the history of
the world may be safely challenged TO pro-
duce an instance where the occupation of a
country 10y strange people, has been sue
ceeded 10y so immediate and total disap-
pearance of Its original possessors.
There Is not even remnant to be found
of many of those powerful tribes who once
held rndisputed possession of the Atlantic
coast from Maine TO Georgia.; nor of those
warlike bands, who, within the memory of
men yet living, moisteued the fields of the
OZARK and bloody ground" with the blood
of the pale faces. They have disappeared
as If by enchantinent, and the very names
10y which they were designated, are to I've
found only by an examination of the records
of the Historical Societies. of the States, of
the lands Of which they were the former
propretors. Thus far, as the tide of civil
iZatiOn has rolled westward, it has been Mt
tended with like results, and it may now be
regarded AS moral certainty, that unless an
entire different system is adopted 10y this
Government in its intercourse with the re-
manning tribes, they too, will in time be
swept from the earth, by the same causes
which have been in operation hitherto.
IL has been the custom to ascrlbe the rapid
dininution in the number Of the Indians to
the combined effect of fre-water and wars
among the different bands, but it is evident
that however destructive these may be; there
must be some far deeper root of bitterness
tnan these to account for it. 1t is the opinion
of the writer founded upon several years.
servation, that the grand cause is to he
sought ia the fact that when once brought
in contact with, and under control of civili-
cation, the Indian is presented with no oh
.ject to stimulate his ambition, nor any in
centive TO exertion. He become listless, APP
athletic, careless Of life, and ready prey
not only to the vices, but to the diseases of
the white man. He is made to feel his in
teriority in every point of view, and while
no means are taken to elevate him in his
own estimation, and no encouragement Civ
en- b.rn to hope that strenuous effort may IN
time make him the equal of his paletaced
neghbor, it Is useless to look forward to
Improvement in his condition.
1t this Government is sincere in the desire
so often put forth in official documents, that
something effe ctual may he done to arrest the
destruction which threatens TO overwheln
the western tribes, let it ut once throw around
them the protection of law, let it take such
measures as are calculated to convince these
poor creatures that their real benefit is in
! tended, and above all let its faith he pledg-
ed, not only to carry out the stipulatons of
solemn treaties with scrupulous eXacttude
and punctuality, Which has never yet been
\. done, but to hold out to them a well ground2
( Ell nope, tudL With pfoIt' SIlhli
/ have qualified them to elect their own ru-
lers from among themselves, and to conduct
their own affairs, they shall be allowed TO
do so, and thus he emancipated from the
sway of those in whom they repose but lit
tie confidence, and who are regarded by
Them as oppressors. These would consti-
tute the substratum whereupon to build, aud
the missionaries of the cross and teachers
who have labored SO long and zealously, but
unfortunately with so little effect, will be
cheered with the hope that new and au-
spicious era has commenced in the annals
of the children Of the forest. 1t is folly or
delusion, or something worse than either of
these. which causes statements to be put
forth TO the world, that the northwestern
tribes are advancing in civilization or vital
christianity. 1t is the cry of peace peace
while sudden destruction threatens. Mis-
sionaries may labor faithfully and earnestly
as they have been doing tor years, but until
some great change shall take place ip Gov
erument intercourse with the Indians, little
good will be the result. The responsibility
is with the Government, and there lex it
rest.
The foregoing views have been elected
hy the late appearance of volume from
the press of John Wiley, New York city,
entitled Daheotah, or Life and Legends of
the Sioux around Fort Smelling, by Mrs.
Mary III. Eastman" The accomplished
anhoress is wei known to have resided
several years at Fort Smelling, part of which
time was spent in the collection Of materials
for her work. She has succeeded, us might
have been expected, in producing most
readable and attractive book, equally calcu-
lated to instruct and amuse, and altogether
more valuable for its correct delineaton of
Indian manners and customs, than any other
on the same subject which has issued from
the press for years. Without any effort at
fine writing, the style is as it should be, sim
pile and touching, and the appeals to the
Christian community on behalf Of the poor