The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1856-02-14

1
Hos. JosErH RoLErrE of the Council ha,
given notice that he would introduce Q memo
rial 10 the President Of the United States, ask
ing that treaties be negotiated with the Rec
Lake and Pembina Chippewas, and the Siou,
Of the Minnesota, with n view to the promotion
laf riyilzsticn ssropg these Ipdisns by til. adop
ton Of the principle Incorporated in the trea
ties negotiated last winter, granting eighty
acres Of land to each head of family for thu
purposes Of agriculture.
Mr. RoIrrrE has been long in the IDdiar
country, and may therefore be supposed to un
derstand the Indian character, as well as the
mode necessary to secure their civilization and
the consequent improvement Of their condition
No subject has caused greater anxiety to tho
officers Of Government, since our Territorial or
ganization, than that pertaining to the improve
, ment Of the Indian tribes within our territorial
limits. The laws regulating trade and inter-
course with tic vsfious tribss the provis
ions OF succeeding treaties and the regula-
tons under whichtmissionaries have been admit
ted into the Indian country, have oil been dicta.
ted by the officers Of Government with an eye
single to the political, moral, and social i'm.
provement Of the Indians through along sue
cession Of administrations.
That the northern Indians are susceptible
Of improvement, and ultimate thorough and
complete civilization. has only been doubted be
canse the experience Of long series Of years
has demonstrated that they do not progress in
civilization a, people, while aienated from oil
the influences which could enable them to see
tangible inducements to secure betterment OF
their condition.
To effect change in the habits Of people,
il is necessary to keep constantly before them
the advantages they will derive from that
change and even then the process is slow, and
can be obtained only through succeeding gene
rations Had the government. when making
the purchase Of the country comprised within
Illinois. Wisconsin, aud Iowa, initiated the
system Of allowing each head Of an Indian
family to select and occupy tract Of land SUI
fcient for cult vation and q permanent home,
instead Of fostering the distinct organization Of
the Indians and removing them in bands from
the ccdcd lands to locations with which they
were dissatisfied, those Indians would now
either have become merged in the ,ehas popula-
ton occupying those states or, If the race had
continued distinct, the force Of example around
them, and the individuality of their position,
would have made them industrious members Of
society.
Had the Sioux Of this Territory under the
treaty OF 1881 been permitted to occupy and
esrn small tract Of land for each family, in
stead Of roaming through our settlements in
bands as is now the case, causing much annoy.
ance 70 the settlers, they would now have been
dispersed over the whole extent Of the land
purchased; would have had permanent homes !;
have been much better satisfied with their loca-
tons and even at this early day would have
been far less dependent upon the chase as
means Of subsistence. and have placed greater
reliance upon the more certain means presented
by the cultivation Of the soil; while the Indian
Children, mingling with the children Of the
whites. would Of necessity have contracted the
habits, learned the language, and sought the
educational advantages Of those with whom
they were associasing.
We have in our mind now Sioux. whom we
knew - one Of the widest Of the Wild Indians
about the head Of tho Minnesota river Cir
cumstances led hin, to abandon his tribe. and
to locate permanently near the white settle
meuts- He has built himself good house, has
cleared land. which be fenced aud cultivated.
has purchased horses. cows poultry and the ne
eessary implements Of agriculture. and has be-
come in fact useful member Of the community
among which he resides. His children have
learned the English language. and are regular
attendants ct the District school, and will. 10
al probability. make god member, Of society.
Had this man remained With his tribe be
would have continued to act with the Indians;
and his children instead Of contracting the hab-
ito and customs Of the whites, would have
grown up with all the vices and pcjadicss Of
the untutored savage.
The prsen, treaties with the Chippswas,
provide eighty acrs Of land As a permanent !
home. to be selected BY each head Of family
within the limits Of the lands purchased. This