New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-06-22
nu,, vopK Many TRIBUNE WEDNESDAY, JUNE o. 1870

| this assumption being resolutely adhered 10 loi
course without any selfish purpose upon our
norD i'm the very teeth of the fact tliat ne mas
sottled and partially civilized in the past over
o.d over again: and of the other fact, that he
Is doing so to-day. One Of our correspondents,
WRITING from Yankton, Dakota Territory the
other dav gave some interesting particulars OF
tbe movements of portion of the santee
sioux tribe. which was originally from Mime
sofa (yVhere it was very troubes0me) ana
ubicb ,Vas subsequently removed to Nebraska.
Here these Indians we're placed in charge OF
tbe missionaries of the Society of Friends.
Whether under Friendly influence or for some
other reason, a considerable number OF them be-
came DESTROYS Of severing altogether their tribal
relations, of taking homestcads, and OF be-
Coming independent citizens OF the Uhited
Estates" One year ago last April, twenty
eight of them, with their families, settled, each
selecting for himself under the act home
stead, near Flandreau, in the neighborhood OF
Sioux Falls, and near the Iowa lire. AID at
tempt (Of course) was made to dave them
back to their reservation. Orders to That Ell
feet (of course) came from Washington; but
upon due presentation OF the facts the
order was suspended. Meanwhile, these
DOOR settlers were haIassed in various ways.
They were told that they had no right to their
land, and that they could not become citizens;
but they kept persistently at work upon their
land and their right to this has now been
settled as well as their political status as citl-
zens-they having abandoned their tribe ana
all benefits to be derived from the treaties.
In all, there appear to be at present thirty
six heads of families, including several Chiefs,
who have abdicated They have built houses,
are fast breaking up the soil, and have such
good reputation for thrift and industry that
the traders at Sioux Falls trusted them to
quite large amounts. These bills they were
able to pay, and did promptly pay during the
last Spring, with the proceeds of the Winters
trapping. The gratifying report is, that mo
| "body has lost a cent by them"-that "they
"haye paid their debts more punctually than
"white men, and that their settlement now
presents more indications of civilization, In
dustry. and show of living, than the same
"number of white families located few miles
"belOw This year they are raising crops, ana
will feel much more independent" They
| formally took up their hOmesteads short
time since, each man having the necessary
sum ($14 ready. They came to Fermlilion
for the purpose, dressed III citizens galD,'
and are said to have taken the required oath
with great solemnity." They have among
them missionary of the American Board OF
Foreign Missions (Rev. A. p. Williamson),
and they have regular meetings for worship
on Sunday. They have also established
| schools.
When it is remembered that these Santee
Sioux were ranked among the most blood
thirsty and unmanageable of the Western In
dams, and that in this peaceful enterprise they
have exhibited industry, enterprise, and self
reliance, we think it may be assumed (what-
ever the loss TO our sensihilities) that they are
no longer Children of the Forest. On the con-
traIy, they are something much more to the
purpose--they are Citizens of the United States.
Are we wrong in assuming that these few ara
evidence of many more ready to DO LIKEWISE
if only permittedP