The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1850-10-24

Were il possible 10 introduce among the Indian
tribes a lore for erclbsice property, it would be
happy commencement Of the business
Mr.. Calhoun took the same view of the sub
ject in his report in 1922: 'To tribes thus
rounded, nothing can be conceived more opposed
TO their happiness and civilization than this state
of nominal independence, while it has nearly all
the Disadvantages Of a state of absolute subIug2-
ton. The consequence is inevitable. They loose
the lofty spirit and heroic courage of the savage
state, without acquiring the virtues which belong
to the civilized. Depressed in spirit, and debauch-
ed in morals, they dwindle away wretched eX-
lstence, nuisance To the surrounding country
Unless some system can he devised gradually to
change this relation and with the progress Of edu-
cation, 10 ertea9 orGr them our lars and aufhOri-
ty, it is feared that all efforts to civilixe them,
whatever hattering appearances they may for a
while exhibit, must ultimately fall
The measure which Mr.. Sibley is contendng
for is embraced in u bill which he had introduced,
at the commencement of the session, which pro-
vides for the extension of the laws Of the United
States over the Indian tribes within the bounda-
ries Of Minnesota and Oregon Then he urges
that provision should be made, under certain
limitations, to give to all who will cultivate the
same the possession Of a certain amount Of land i,
from which he shall never be forcibly removed.
He proceeds:
"Wilh experienced gentleman from whom
have already quoted, believe that the history
of all nations, Christian or Heather, will confirm
the fact, that none of the sons and daughters Of
men ever dld become extensively civilized, vlr
tuous, and happy, except they were stimulated to
industry and enterprise, by giving them an idea
OF separate property, and securing to each ndi-
vidua the fruits Of MS own labor, industry, and
enterprise, with the power of transmitting them
to those who are most near and dear to him. And
who can urge stronger claim upon you In favor
of such grant than the poor savage, the des-
cendant Of that noble race who have z iven vou
an empire such the world has neven SEEM?
While you are agitating the question in this Hall
of the propriety of giving to every white settler
large portion Of the public lands without money
and without price, no voice has been heard in
favor of that portion Of Gods creation from hom
You have received these lands, for consideration
too Insignificant to be taken into the account. Has
any one suggested that common Justice would
teach 10 provide home for the Indian, and
that peradventure, he might be reclaimed from
hs savage state: No, sir; he belongs to DOOM
CT rGce and it is not deemed worth the pains to
endeayor to avert his impending fate. AS if God
in his mercy had ever placed upon this earth
race created in his own image, iore-ordained only
to suffer and to die.
'Slr. give to The wandering savage home Sc
cured to hun by law, and you will have done
much to redeem him, You thereby begin the pro-
cess of Standardization, and the end will be his
incorporation into the American family. Mean
while bestow upon him civil privileges, withhold
ing political rights until he is sufficiently adyanc-
ed to appreciate their enjoyment. Establish man
ual-labOr schools for the education of his children
in the useful arts and in the English language,
and afford him, az the same time, the blessings of
religious instruction.
II is truly refreshing to hear sentiments like
these, urged upon tie representatives, of the peo-
pie by one who speaks not only from the sympa-
tines of the heart but from observations and ee-
Elections which entitled 10 the highest respect
and confidence.
But will anything really be done, after ALL
We confess we have our fears. SO far as the
present session is concerned, we have no hope.
And in the mean time the work of removal is
urged on with ho, haste. We have within il few
days seen IA communication from one of our mis-
sionaries who abors in a tribe of Indians in Mich
igan, IN which ii is stated that the agent Of The
Gorerameat urges the diScoatiauance ofo -four
ishiag school, and the breaking up Of the mis-
sion, for the reason that the Indians are unuii-
ling 10 ,emore and Ieare This nursery Of cirlli-
catiOn and religion, where their children may
be trained up for usefulness and happiness.
Should we be compelled to close this school
ard abandon the premises, which has been fitted
up ut the expense of the church, it will not be
the first time that our children, for whom we
have traFaied in the birth until Christ be formed
in Them have been torn from our arms and sent
lnto the western forest again to run wild. These
removals are both lnpolItc and unl Just, and can
but bring after them severe retributon.
As the Hon. gentleman urges with tremendous
..l,
debate largely the proprieiy and justice of giving
every white man farm from the public doniaIa,
while nothing is said about giving the original pro-
Pretors of the soil place which they may call
their own, and from which they may raise the
means Of subsistence. All but let il be noted
these poor red men hare rotcs TO gipe! Hal
they votes for the aspIrants to office, their cause
would be pleaded as loud thunder, from one
end OF the country to the other. Hon. members
would be found in great numbers, who would
plead most eloquently the cause Of the Aborlgi-
MES, did they but form portion Of their constllu-
ency. They are, however, helpless, powerless,
without political influence, without the elective
franchise, and consequently they are no game Cor
politicians, May God plead the cause of the poor
Indians. and may OUT Federal Government learn
10 do them justice.
As to our Indian missions, which, by the pres
oh' y StSh, are nttlIu plcu ana broken up, we go
Tor an earnest remonsrance with the GOV eminent
at Washington, against the injustice and cruelty
OF traudnleat purchases of the Indian lands or
torced rem0rais of the people. We doubt if we
can do our duty as a achurch--cons;ituting as we
do, portion of the people--of the eleciors--of
these TINTED States, and consequently in meas
ure, being responsible for the action of the GOV
ernment-wthout lnterposing our efforts and in
tnenees against system which e,iectua!l, neu-
TalIzes all efforts to cvze and Christianlze the
Indians
The politicians say: Why, if YOU Christians
have such love for the Indians, follow them to
their new homes, and set up your mission -ho uses
and schools there. All indeed! and how long
wall it he ere we shall be invited TO act over the
same ceremony of removing? We began with
the Oneida Indians, and had fourishing mission
among them, at their old residence in the centre
Of thls State; they were, in way which we shall
not describe, induced to sell out their rights and
remove to Green Bay. Our missionaries follow
ed them to their new homes; bpt what next:
Why the country was soon filled up with white
enIgrants, and the poor creatures were again in
vted 10 pull up stakes and 60 on further west.
Thus our establishments are broken up, classes
Of converted Indians dissolved; and the people,
scattered, irritated, and discouraged often relapse
into their heathen customs, or became prey to
in,emperance, and plunge hopelessly into vices
far worse than the native barbarism of their
fathers. To demand Of Christian phanropis,s
success in their atforta IN Ypet.,nt Indian,