The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1853-06-09
For The Pioneer.
Letter ".
The Community System..-Continu d

In my last, (No. 81 ! discussed the question of
distributing annuitcs in goods, etc, TO individuals
heads OF families. endeayored to show that it was
prac,icabiethat it wolld to great extent prevent
injustce-that it would prevent difficulties among
1ldiansthat il would relieve the minds of Dakotas
from jealousy ard fear Ct each other in regard the
distribuion--ihat it would encourage industry--and
that it would indigidual.1c the Dako,as and lay the
at the root Of the community sy stem. This last
proposition needs further illustration.
The theory Of individual rights and possessions has
been long and too successfully tried to give place.
at once, in mems minds, to any opposite theory al
though advocated by knd-heartcd and good inten-
toned men a. Loais Blanc. Indeed there is no pro-
liability that Americans. at least Will soon to any
extent, adopt common-stock system. Among the
Dakoas this system is only partial, but ii works
badly, it productive of such serious evils, that every
true friend Of the Indian must desire its speedy and
total abolition.
The distributions Of annuties. (rxcepting money!
made the Mdewakantonwaus, for sixteen years
past have strengthened the community system. They
have been made TO the chiefs, or to various villages
iiS,ibu, OF plohc,d dcsilails results! Are the
Md,wakantonwas mare or less in lustrious than they
were in 1887! Have they, under the operation Of
that system real progress towards c:vilila-
ton! BY the confession Of some Of their friends
they now in more hopeless state than before
they received annuties AT all. They more indo-
lent more addicted 70 gambling and other kindred
vic tLon f. -
awaited themselves Of opportunities for education-as
whole they have rejected the boon held them,
and it is TO he feared that, unless entirely new sys
tenn OF dealing with them is adopted they will con
tinue to reject, and thus destroy themselves
1t is utterly idle to suppose that they coutinuc
to exist in proximity to white people if they refuse to
adop, Institutions do not affirm that the want
Of progress, in this has been uclv owing to the
manner in which their annuities have been dstrbu,-
ed But that has wrought, its full share of the results
1t has done mach to make and keep them lazy. 1t
has failed to stimulate them TO exertion because il
has not recognized their rights Individuals. i, has
treated them very much like herd of cattle, and it
is to be wondered that in such circumstances
they should make progress towards being men.
1t is undeniaby true that property held in common,
fails T. present motives for its protection and increase
But it holds out strong motive Tor its destruction.
How difficult it has been found among the lower
bands to keep the provided for ploughing their
fields. They belonged to no one in particular, and
the desire cat beef has, in the majority, proved
stronger than the feeling of personal advantage to be
realized BY keeping the animals. Two years ago. at
the treaty Of Traverse DIES Sioux, Curly head, the
chief a, Lac qui Pare, presented with yoke of
oxen. They were given and rece ived with the I'M
derstandng that the animals should be kept to p!oneh
their fields; but they regarded as indivdu
property, and before ploughing time came, eaten
up. Some years aso assisted the Otohatonwe,
consisting o. dozen families, in building quite good
log store house. In cutting the logs and putting them
up some four or five men worked well. That fall
they stored their corn in it, but it was common
property, difficulties about taking care of the
KEY, and the house has stood ever since without being
used. Many years Of experience have satisfied us
that property, of whatever kind held in common, is
most Improbable in the hands of the Dakotas. When
there is reasonable of protection for pri.
o7erty, many of the Dakotas as acquistive
if not as protective, other people. And il is to this
desire possession that must appeal of the
means Of waking up their dormant energies and pro-
ducng in them industrious habits. Let US have the
community system abolished. LIE, each man be regard
ed, and taught to regard himself, nan, and let
him know that he will at the hands of the Govern
ment Agent receive his share, and no more, and he
will not be likely to stay about place where provi
sions are stored, when he might be hunting work
ing for himself Unless there is some radical change
made in the measures Of Government towards them,
the Dakotas are lost.
s. II. RIGGS.
Lac qui Pare, May 6, 1853
LETTER v.