Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-09-21
OUR INDIAN TRIBES.

OUR INDIAN TRIBES.
There is, perhaps, no subject which has more
deeply engaged the interest of thestatesman, the
historian, and the philanthropist than the rela-
tons between the Indian tribes and the Anglo
Saxon owners of America. Much has been
attempted, both by government and by the
laudable exertions of missionaries, to improve
their condition, and to advance them in the
scale of civilization. In some cases these
praiseworthy efforts have been rewarded by
some success. Among the more intelligent
tribes, such as the Cherokees, the Chickasaw,
and the Greeks, schools have sprung up, agr-
culture has been encouraged, and morals have
been improved. But for the most part all
efforts have been unavaiing, and even in the
few cases to which we have alluded, the sue
cess has been but partial.
We are not of those who yield romantic
admiration to the Indian character There is,
indeed, something admirable in the stern and
infexible stoicism which marks the race, and
which teaches them "the extremes alike of good
and ill to bear" with proud Indifference. But
their vindictive and mendacious spirit will ever
render them dangerous inhabitants of our from.
tier, and will excite more the fear than the
admiration Of those who mingle with them. 1t
is this very spirit which has heretofore and will
ever Illustrate the only hope which ever existed
for this unhappy people--in theirgradual ANAL
gamationwith the superior race. Untildegraded
by Incidence and debased by sensuality there
was never any strong repugnance on the part
of the white race to minge with the Indians.
But the same pride of individuality, the same
aversion to uniting their destiny with their
conquerors, which now renders such an union
impossible has ever prevailed amongs, them.
There is in the history Of the world but one
analogy to this exclusiveness in any race and
thss is to be found in that marked and fated
people on whom Omnipotence himself has set
the irrevocable seal of his displeasure.
We are frequently called upon by the senti-
mental l,bilanthropist to blush and to weep
over the cruelty and injustice Of our ancestors
towards this fated people. But, from our knowl.
edge of the Indian character, we feel inclined
to do no such thing. The relentless rigor by
which the conduct Of the early settlers of this
country was characterized, was the only course
which the Indian himself left to his conquerors.
In his intercourse with the whites his charac-
ter was indeed changed, but changed only for
the worse. 1t developed traits of character be-
fore unknown to him. He became indolent
and dissipated. The manly vigor of his char
meter was enervated by idleness, and his stoical
pride was sunk in gross sensuality. But with
these changes he retained all the deceit, the
revenge. and the cruelty which he inherited
from his ancestors. Thus with regret are we
compelled to admit that the same inhexible
rigor which was justified by the early pioneers
of this country, is even now more necessary.
Every effort TO conciliate the Indian tribes
has proved abortive. Lands have been set
apart for their habitation, agriculture and edu.
cation has been encouraged among them, even.
handed justice has been administered by just
and upright governors, selfdevoted missiona-
r;es have dedicated their lives to their moral
and spiritual reformation, and the result Of the
whole system may be read in the frequent out
RACES which have marked their intercourse with
their Saxon neighbors. Within the last year
FIVE massacres have occurred upon our frontier,
two of which are still fresh in the memory Of
every one If after SO long an association with
the white race, ifafter all the efforts which have
been made to civilize and reclaim them, their
conduct is still marked by scenes of reckless
cruelty and bloodshed, there is but little room
TO hope for a material and permanent improve
m,>pt in their character.
Muck has been said Of the improvements
which haze already been made in the condi
ton Of some Of our Indian tribes. But so far
from the limited advances which they have
made inducing the hope that they can attain
high degree of civiiSzation, they but confirm
us in the belief that tn, " are incapable OF any
permanent improvement Even BY all the adj
ventitious aids of governm,pt, and by the nm
vearyiue exertion ofindividual reformers, these
advances have been but slight. We learn from
the able and interesting report of George W.
Manypeuny commissioner Of Indian affairs,
that for the last fiscal year the whole amount
"expended on account Of the Indian service Is
sl,0l6,735 so, of which $532,907 81 IS for
money annui,ies; sl36,67e SO for goods and
provisions; 6l,96l 80 for educational pur-
poses; se4,3ls 80 for agricultural and me-
chanical assistance; and, sls9,S7o so for other
miscellaneous purposes for the benefit Of the
Indians" To this large sum must be added
the benevolent contributions on behalf OF do
nestle missions, which constitute consider
able fund in all Of our Christian denominations,
and which are directed in great degree to the
establishment Of Indian missions and the ad'
yancement of the condition Of our Indian tribes.
Now, with all these advantages, what is the re-
suit? We are told that the Kickapoos, the most
advanced tribe in the great Nemaha "have made
some progress in agriculture A teio have com
Portable houses, with domestic animals about
tbem.p "The Senecas, Shawnees, and Quapaws