The Kansas herald of freedom., 1857-02-07
Bv the z ditor 8.
FROM IT 8
CHAPTER ".

re INDIAN TRIBES. TRADITIONS, sc.'
The American or Indian race mas
,..n regarded with curiosity by the
::r;l;zed world ever since the discov-
[,rv made by Columbus in 1892. The
|,nlv theory in regard to this people,
conveying even moderate degree OF
|..t;,faction, presents them as kindred
| he border tribes of Asia. Not SO
h, advanced in the arts as these, oeca-
I.;oned by locality, being SO far re-
Z.oved from intercourse with other
|,oen. and having the means of subsist-
|rnce readily derived from the chase.
M reliable information can be OBJ
.;;nsd Of their origin in this country.
We can imagine them passing by de-
s;cn in canoes, or driven by tempests
,cross the narrow waters separating
.bs two continents; or trayersing on
|nortious of land intervening then. but
nox sunken into the ocean. Some
tradionary legends among the natives
might be cited corroborating each of
these theories, but so vague and in
definite as to yield no satisfactory in
formation.
II must be acknowledged, in tracing
their history, that they have been the
subjects of wrong and outrage in many
respects truly lamentable; while in
ether respects great effort has been
made for their advancement in civil
lied life. They are now emphatic
ally conquered people, and one hard
to mingle as an element in the society
of their conquerers ; a thing to be de-
sired as the ultimatum of Indian trou-
bles, and recompense due them for
the possession of their soil.
Among the early Spanish adven-
turers there were some who labored
with much sacrifice for the good of the
Indians. The mind rests with plea
sure on the record of their doings,
therein rays of brightness
amid the gloom of volup-
tuous desires so prevalent at that early
period. In the settlement of the U.
s., the labors of Elliot, of Brainard
and others, will be likely always to
meet the appreciation of the wise and
good. The evangelical efforts of de-
voted missionaries have had ten
iency to diffuse an interest in behalf
Of the benighted pagan throughout the
civilized world, and have tended to
enlighten the decision made for them
in our national councils and what is
Of higher moment, have proved the
of fitting many of
hem to enter triumphantly into i'm
mortality and eternal life.
1t was in May, 1880, that Congress
passed the memorable bill organizing
territory for the purpose OF colo
lizlng the various Indian tribes. This
erritory embraced the lands now in
.luded in Nebraska, Kansas, and those
portions south of these occupied by
he Cherokees, Creeks, Choctaws and
others. The plan of this organization
seems to have originated with the
Rev. Isaac Mccoy. then missionary
Of the Baptist General Conference of
the United States. The gradual de-
cay of the Indian race in every State
of the Union, and the inevitable ex-
inction which seemed to be threaten
ng them. enlisted his warmest SYM
oathies and those of many other phi
anthropic individuals and societies in
iitfefent parts of the country. In the
hope of removing them from the in
'entives to vice; ofplanting them by
themselves away from the overshadow-
ng Influences of the white settlements
where they were withering away. this
plan was conceived, and the expscta-
tlOn that they might. by themselves,
flourish like a green tree. deepening its
foots beneath the surface, spreading
its branches wide and yielding fruit
to be planted at length in the federal
union. Alas, how unavailing are hu-
nan efforts. as results have already
provedl In less than thirty years tive
new territories are organized on the
same soil. with very different expects,
lions. and the pledges of permanent
Possession to the Indians solemnly
entered into are broken. The most
congenial remedies alleviate the pangs
cut momentarily, where the vital en-
efgy is wasting away. The pulse
qulekens but to falter again and cease
TO beat!
In connection with the forming
01 settlements by Indians brought In
=. he above chapter was furnished Us by
rs.;i -; Df- BARzEz, Baptist Missionary who
- .aeo some fifteen years among the Shaw
|, sad who had charge of school where
,,,nse se number Of Indian youth were in-
csr;ss sSsssd IN the rudiments Of education and