New-York tribune., 1870-04-27
TIE LNDI1N QUESTION.

THE UNITED STATES INDIAN COMMISSION-MEET-
ING AT COOPER NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF
PETER COOPER, VINCENT 'COLYER, THE HON.
o. s. CLARK, DIR. CROSBY, W. JULIAN, AND
OTHERS.
The call of the United States Indian Com
mission for public meeting at the Cooper Institute, last
evening was not responded to by very large audience
owing doubtless the Chairman stated in his speech
to Misunderstanding. small number of tickets OF
invitation had been issued merely ~ reminder, but
many people supposed that cards of admission would he
required at the door Peter Cooper. Henry Bergh and
OTHER members of the Committee occupied seats on the
platform, Peter Cooper was chosen Chairman, ana
spoke as follows: -
We have met my friends to advocate the claims of a
poor prosecuted remnant Of suffering Indians-a people
now inhabit. These Indians driven from their
ancient homes by every form OF cruelty ana deception
that the arts OF civilization could invent We have met
To call and fix the attention OF our whole community
State and Nation, the absolute necessity that some
our country that viii establish justice. in our
dealings with the Indian tribes We have
for the adoption OF some general plan that will secure
fair dealings with Indians, ana prevent IN future e the nor
rights that ought and must be respected. They
beings; they should be encouraged to adopt our laws
and become citizens, with the right TO represent their
country. very small part Of the amount that will
have TO be expended in an Indian war would remove
support and protect themselves from the depredatons
Of & m ~ M GGGs esy ssGhid a1d ,Se e me
/
peated injustice done them by the white coon.ts and
friends than the fact that small part OF the blood and
treasure that has been expended IN drvne the Indians
from their homes would have purchased their lands and
would have secured their lasting friendship.
Letters read from Senators Wilson and Morrill,,
H. A. Sargent, F. r. Brunow OF Pittsburgh. and Col WA
Phillips regrettng their inability 10 be present, but
sympatkizng with the objects of the meeting
SPEECH VINCENT COLYER
Mr. CoTer then addressed the meeting lie said that
this Commission wasnaugurated at meeting the 18th
OF May 1861 and its object to protect and elevate the
Indian, and the meeting adopted memorial TO
cO9gress calling attention to the the condition Of the
should DO given to this subject by that honora-
BILE body They alse endeavored 70 have the In
the supervision OF Gen. Sherman. In 1869 1t deter
mined TO send out an exploring party and he formed
tribes OF the portion OF Kansas the Osegoes
the Chppewas thesoux and the Chickasaws There was
takeabiy stamped upon their faces with regard TO the
future The white man advanced and they were power
lsssa "a desuon The fact was that they had been
induced part with their land for 10 cents per acre by
ingenious gem sSe anS dpaed h
with the Cherokees, the ChOctaws, 5emlnOlcH,
Chickasaws Creeks Arapahoes, Cheyennes &C., and
said that the condition these tribes aud Others their
hopes and habits, did not materially dl1cf, ana tey
were i'm the same condition as they were $50 years ago
He once gave council Of chiefs consisting OF three an
apple, and they divided II between them ne also gave
them prunes, which they also DIVIDED, ana when
they retired and slept one bed, each one was very
careful encroach upon the domains OF the other
Many chiefs and scores Of Indians were engaged IN
agricultural pursuits, and gained great success III
that department. From all the testimony hdduced
10y thoughtful and experienced men IL w@nd
he seen that the Indians susceptible OF high
standard of cultiyaOn and the hest way 10 accomplish
that object 10 enlist the aid Of industrial and educa
tonai schools mission on this plan was working with
Great adyauta 20 at VancOuycs Island aud Fort simpson
The denGraizng effect OF the proximity Of thc soldiers
States officers rec0mIno ndrd reduction In the Territory.
The soldiers would have whisky. and the Indians %are