New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-09-20
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
WHY Is THE INDIAN STILL A sAvAGE'

WHY Is THE INDIAN STILL SANAGEI
CENTURIES OF INTERCOURSE WITH CIVILIZED Ma
TONS WITHOUT CIvuHING EFFECT UPON HIM
TIE EXPERIENCE OF BARBARIkNs OF OTHER
TIMES AND COUNTRIES.
To ne Editor OF The tribune.
SIR: The trial of the Indian murderers of
the Peace Commissioners Is the Just sentence which has
been pronounced upon the guilty parties for the dast
ardy act The 81 Of October next will witness the clos
ing of the M0dOc tragedy, and in the words OF
THE TRIBUNE, it IL not probable that until another
groesquely terrible revolution tho public mind will
awaken again to graphic with this problem that holds
the lives destiny OF many created beings in its sou
tom" The question that presents ITSELF and which
appears rather difficult TO be explained, is this
Why, after several centuries OF intercourse with civil
lied races is the American Indian Of to-day what the
dscoverers OF the New World found him, lawless,
boodthirsy savage contributing nothing to the welfare
of society," and depending for his susenance upon the
uncertainties of the chase and also upon ratons
and clothing dealt out to him by the Government
To show clearly the Importance OF this question:
shall briefly pass review the history Of the sayages
Of Gaul and Britain, conquered by the Roman arms,
and the barbarian hordes that Europe Shortly
after the subsection Of the former read OF Gallo and
British youth frequenng tho places OF learning at
Rome several rising to emnenoe in the Roman SER
vice. Likewise the other barbarc conquerors Vandas,
Goths Huns Soythlans. &c. after massacreing humid
reds OF thousands and devastating entire countries,
finally settled on the lands they had conquered and be-
gan apply themselves TO the peaceful pursuits OF
agriculture, cattlerearing, &c. Christian missionaries
preached TO them the Gospel and In time reaped pre-
fruits Tho ciyilzing and heavenly doctrine like
the genial SUI of Spring. soened the barbarians heart
and directed his thoughts into channel Churches
and schools were erected different countries. and the
regenerate srove to emulate the noble qualities
OF the Greek and Roman. Although superstition and
ignorance often retarded and at times threatened to an
initiate the Christian civilizing spirit there ever
steady though sometimes inperceptibe progress for
ward and this day their descendants march in the van OF
the great army aspiring to human perfection.
Likewise the wild Bedoun lizard eaters as the Persian
monarch contemptuousIy called them, excitedto state
of fanatca frenzy by their great prophet aud his sue
cessor and with the prospect OF rich booty before them
poured forth their myrads destroying alike Pagan and
Christian institutions and threatened to destroy what
had been achieved during OF ciyilizing agency
Let pass few generations and cast glance at
the Empire of the Calphs. Bagdad has become the
great seat OF learning Of the East and teratl ana
scientists of all countries cordially welcomed 70 the
Court Of Haroua Eiashld and his SON In spain the
Court of the Ommyade Caliphs ryaled that OF me
Abbasdes In the East, and to this day there exists III
Spain monuments OF Saracenic skill christian coun
tries greatly indebted to the Arabs for advancemehs
made by the latter in mathematics ana Oter sciences
and arts although il to be regretted that this race are
fast relapsing into barDars Take again tue negroes
OF this country. Their ancestors brought over as sYe5
were little better than savages, and now many rank
among most respectable citizens Thus we see Tue
mating from their primitive state and contributing more
less the happiness OF mankind But Wnat mas INC
American Indian done after so much pdlnstaAng 10
ciylze hint think that the plea OF the NOBLE lndIas
wrongs and the condemnation " the lerOcl0us OOIuer
hardly justlable. Doubtless the ancient
savage Jared better, and no Indian children laden
brought to be sold for slaves IN the mar
ket New-IOrk the Angles children were III I'ome
Nor were any OF them provided by the Roman
Government with food, clothing aud arms. In
newly settled territory occasional nay, frequent out
RACES almost inevitable, especially as 50 many
Of the most desperate flock thlther Besides the un
settled the country and Of society," these would
naturally have the tendency to render tue nedft cal
lOls as well the hand, and blunt refined feelings
Let us remember who the founders OF Rome ana Dc
less loud in declarations. The Eternal City, now
ever subsequently, produced OF the beSand Wsest
citizens world saw, and the son or grandson or
the widest frOuersman may become an honest ana use
ful citiZeu nay more, his may stand ON the list
of AInerca's and heroes But from past
there probability the grandson
of Capt Jack Boston Charley, Nasty jim, OF any Other
INDIAN rising eminenCe in honorable pursuit IL
i, not my intention condemn the Indian OF pdate
tbe faults OF mauy Of the whites The most barOarOus
Ourages have been perperated on both sides ana there
IL many white ru1lidn who does not deserve the pure
air of heaven that he inhaes. What desire to show Is
the comparison between the two While there Is
and useful man. Indian boy almost invariably grows
ND like his father. There may be exceptions, but they
are only too rare.
repeat gain Why il the Indian still savage With
the aid of the accumulated learning and the experience
of ages, are teachers and pubic men behind the
ancents in the of teaching and educating the wild
man. or is the Indian untamabe tiger, hyena, an
incumbrance earth, or what other reason can be
attributed thereto This question believe calls for
some consideration by the public since holds the lives
and destiny Of 50 many human being IN It's sOutlOn
Aeo YORK., sept. e. 1873. B. A e.