The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1873-02-08
COLUMBIA, B IS. c.
Saturday. aorning February 8. 1878.
Pe.se Policy Towards the Indians.

Jefferson, ana from OtnerS 1883
eminent but equally humane. The
former demanded laws for restraining
the commission of outrages upon the
Indinn. without which, he said, all pa.
cific plans must prove nugatory. "They,
poor wretches, have no press through
which their grievances are related, and it
is we'll known that when one side only of
story is heard and often repeated. the
human mind becomes impressed with it
insensibly." Logan's speech, in Jeffsr-
sons "Notes on Virginia." is a monu-
ment Of indignant scorn of outrage,
seeming to come from heart brokesa:.,y
cruelty, bnt proud and defiant as that Of
the severest Stoic. In our subsequent
history, these wrongs have become hack
neyed as the themes of romance writer's
and the fruitful topics of easy and empty
defamation Of orators. They have con-
sequently ceased, in this busy and push
ing age. to produce anything more than
q light and transient impression. In
deed, they do not exist to the same cx-.
tent as in earlier times. The Govern
ment of the United States has inaugu-
rated new policy of oonciliation of
Indian tribes, which has been reasona-
bly, successful. It has appointed Board
OF Indians Commissioners, charged with
the duty of gentle and humanizing
treatment, nnd with. the spreud amongst
them of the ideas and habits Of civiliza-
tion. They report that this policy has
met with marked SUCCESS among the
aboriginals, and that, during the past
year. the advance Of some of the tribes
in civilization and Christianity has been
rapid. The Indians feel new and
strong confidence in the Government.
We avail ourselves Of the, report.
which we have received from Thomas K.
Cree, Esq, Secretary of the Board, to
aoquaint our readers with some of its
salient facts. They will be surprised to
learn that nearly five.si1ths of all the In
dians OF the United States and Terrific
ries are now either civilized or partially
civilized. The records show that under
their. present treatment, they commit q
smaller number Df serious crimes against
the whites than an equal number Of
white men commit against each other.
The religious denominations have been
induced to increase their efforts in behalf
of the red men. The Episcopalians, dur
ing nine months, to Hrst Of October, have
expended over 325. .006 IN money, be-
sides clothing, hospital stores and pro-
visions. The Friends and Presby terians
have each expended similar amount.
The American Board has, expended
$l2, 100. and the Methodists, Catholics,
Baptisfs, Reformed Dutch, American
Missionary and other societies are
literally sustaining missions already in
operation and projecting new ones.
During the year the Presbyterian,
Methodist. and Episcopal missions have
admitted more than 600 Sioux. Chip
pewas, Nez Peroes and other Indians to
chntoh membership. 1T is stated that
when an Indian becomes Christian, he
abandons ali the cheiishad customs and
traditions of his nation, cuts off his
scalp lock, adopts civilized garments
and goes to work for his living.
Passing over the various operations Of
the Board and the account of the e'several
tribes and reservations, we come upon
an interesting account of the Indian
Territory. In population, number OF
acres cultivated, products. wealth, valu-
alton and school statistics, IL is equal to
any organized Territory OF the United
States. Its area is 44,154. 24O acres,
being smaller than any other, but in
population (68, ,505) it is larger than any,
excepting Utah and New Mexico. It has
more acres OF land under cultivation
than Washington Territory, over one
third more than Utah, and more tina n
twiceas many as Colorado or Montana
and the number of bushels OF wheat,
corn and other farm products raised in
the Indian Territory is more than six
times greater than either Utsn, New
Mexico or Colorado. In 1871 the cotton
crop was 270, 200 pounds, and was larger
the last year. The civilized Indians of