, 1872-11-30
THE RED MEN.
Statement by d Quaker official rs; to
the Working of tho Huuian Pe;sce
Policy

| OMAHA A6E.scY, Neb., 11th no., 9th, 1972
FRIEND cheerfully comply with thy request
to furnish few facts, in relation to the working
! Of President Grants ''Quaker Peace Policy" SO
| far as my OWL personal observation las ex-
tended in an intimate association with the tribe
| placed under my charge for about three
| and half years past. It has SO hap
pened in the ordering OF Providence, that my lot
| has been cast among the Omaha Indians, aud
am free to confess that al my preconceived no.
tions OF Indian character have undergone q
complete metamorphosiH 30 far at least as this
tribe is concerned; having been taught from
my very childhood to regard them as base,
trsaclerous, and bloodthi1sty people, fea1full7
addicted to all the low vices that too much pre-
vail amongst the more degraded Of our oHn
| race.
| The omahas are a mild, aninble people, very
| tractab1e aud easily Influenced. In their social
| intercourse, they are frank and cordial. Their
remarkable truthfu1ness has often been mat
ter OF surprise to me-, considering tho influences
with which they have been surrounded. Their
ordinary conversation is cheerful and sprigltly;
yet have observed that they rarely indulge in
| jesting, and are very careful not to wound the
feelings Of another. Nearly every member Of
the tribe is pattern Of abstinence from the in
diligence in strong drink az beverage. T have
ulu5tGu VIII tuoIu 1ICe44 AuE ulJl6 kuau LuIE6
years, bat have never yet seen drunken In
dian. So much for their social habits.
OF their industry as c1ass, cannot speak 30
fayorably, though can testify to . very marked
and hopeful improvement in that direction. The
great necessity in the work Of Indian clviliza-
ton is stimulus to individual oxertion; lack
Of which is always to be found In the conmuni-
ty system that has heretofore prevailed amongst
them. So long as their subsistence was pro-
cured mainly from the bunalo-hunt, the lite
Of tho Indian was one Of relaxation and
incidence. The body OF the animal,
in addition to g little corn, cultivated mninl5
by the female members Of his family, supplied
him with his necessary food while the thick,
warm hide furnished him with comfortable
clothing and bedding. and q tent beside, to
shelter him from the storms. The rapid influx
OF the white men into his hitherto sacred hunt
ing-srouuds hss precipitated the crisis upon tho
forth he must walk in the Same path as
the white Han- The experience and obser-
yation OF the past three years have amply
convinced me OF his capacity and Willingness TO
adapt himself to his new situation.
Already deep interest is manifested in the
education OF his children. He realizes that
mental culture is one Of tho necessities Of lis
new position. Nearly I'll tho Indian children OF
suitable age to attend school are now receiv-
ing the beunts Of instruction from earnest and
capable teachers; and strangers who visit the
schools uniformly testify to the admirable dis
ciplino and '7onelrfu! progress Of the pupils The
e@1tNA1%AA%o H@A~1I 1NAAoSA9
equalled at the publio schools Of the country.
Flrst-dey or Sabbath schools are also kept up
amongst them where Scripture-readings, and
other exercises calculated to foster devotional
feeling, are introduced. These school-children
furnished with suitable clothing By the Gber-
nlity of tho Society of Friends Since the intro
duction OF the new schools amongst them, with
IN the space OF two years, many OF the children
have learned to read well aud write very legi-
BILE hand; they nre also very expert at figures,
and able to master quite intricate calculations.
The groWn-up Indians have also improved
much faster than their most sanguine friends
were led to expect; and, instead Of the life Of ]
idloneas in which these lords Of the prairie in
dulged q few years ago, many Of them may now |
be found engaged in agricultural pursuits such as
plowing, cultiyating their crops, building fences
display their capacity for mechanical pursuits |
by building comfortable houses for themselves |
on the far1ns recently allotted to them, in place
Of holding their lands by common tenure, as |
more land than they need on tie reservation
assigned to them by the Government, hare /
recently petitioned Congress-, and procured the
enactment Of q law providing for the sale Of d
them to become successfully established in agri-
cultural pursuits, without eny pecuniary aid |
from the Government.
1 wish hero to aay q few words in rela-
ton , to an error TINT III I have found 1p
public mind in relation to indians being sup
ported by gratuity from the Government. I
a1lude particularly to Indians in what is known
as the Northern 6uperintendency, embraced
principally within the State Of Nebraska, with
whoae condition am most familiar though
believe the remarks am about to make will
apply equally well to other semi-civilized tribes.
The reservations now occupied by
these several tribes, and the annuities
paid to them for certain series OF years. instead
Of being grntuities from the Government, are, in
reality, small consideration in lieu of the peace
abba surrender Of immense tracts Of the most
fertile land, perhaps, to be found anywhere in
which, it is admitted, this great
Government could wrest from them by force,
but at what a fearful cost Of blood and treasure
the history Of the past can testify.
The humane policy adopted by President Grant
is calculated not only to mitigate some OF the
evils that have long been crushing down race
Of people to which We are SO largely indebted
for many of the comforts and blessings enjoyed
By the teeming millions Of this great country,
but likewise reflects National credit upon the |
Of the oficors OF the Govern
ment. Very truly, thy friend, z. PAINTER.
ABOUT THE ABSTRACT BOOKS.
10 the Editor Of Tbs Chicago Tribune:
s1R: Before paying half million Of dollars
n1n In ~ h. |