Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1874-12-04
Indian Affairs.
WASHINGTON. No. Q,

| lndlan AHalrSs
WASHINGTON, N0. 81.
THE following are the main points of
the annual report of the Secretary If the
| Interior to the President on the Indian
question. The report bears date Oh. 81,
| 1874:
The operations Of the Indian Bureau dur
ing the past year are highly gratifying. they
| furnish conclusive evidence of the iustice
wisdom and practicability of the policy in.
augurated by. the present Administration.
lem II steadily pursued, wo shall soon see
all rowing tribes located upon reservations.
| We may reasonably expect occasional diBturb-
| auces in the future caused by individuals, or
by disorderly bodies of Indians, but with a
| judicious and efficient execution Of IT, e pres
ent mode of treatment it is not believed that
we shall see another general, or even serious,
| Indian war.
The present method of dealing with the
Indian race aims to induce, and when neces-
sary to compel, the roaming tribes to accept
reservations as rapidly as possible. On such
reservations they are instructed in agricul
ture and in other pursuits incident to civiliZu-
tion, and with the aid Of our Christian organ
izations their Intellectual, moral and relig-
ious culture is advanced as rapidly as practi-
cable When tribe refuses TO accept a res
ervation, and continues to violate the laws Of
civilization, ii is treated with all needful Sc
verify, and thus made to appreciate the ad-
vantages of accepting the kind and humane
treatment which the Government surely ex-
tends to such as are disposed TO peace. By
the judicious exercise of power and
persuasion 1t is the aim of the Gov
ernment to deal kindly and justly with
this unfortunate race, and to make
them appreciate, as speedily as possible, the
real motives and purposes Of the Government.
The execution of this policy is necessarily at
tended with difficulties which cannot at once
be entirely overcome. / am happy in being
able to say that the earnest active and cor
dial cooperation of several Christian organ
lzations to which the right of nominating
agents has been assigned, and upon whose
nominations alone such agents are appointed
is constantly improving InIs elsss ns ss..
ployes, and thus we are, each year, to some
extent, advancing the service by obtaining
agents more experienced and intelligent, and
OF greater capacity for their secular as well as
their moral and religious work.
The Indian population OF the United States,
since the first occupation Of our territory by
white men, has been compelled TO recede as
the white population has advanced. The
natural result has been the creation Of a
feeling among Indians that they have suffered
great injustice at our hands. They have
strong local attachments, and adhere with
tenacity to the home Of their fathers. They
once occupied without dispute vast regions
of country which have been wrested from
them. Under no circumstances can II be sup
posed that they will accept the complete
change in their modes of life and in their
management by the Government which is
now being effected without complaint and
resistance, which may occasionally require
the employment. of force: nor can It be sup
plshment of such change.
To aid in prosecuting the work or indian
civilization / recommend the extension OF
the Homestead laws to Indians, with certain
notifications hereafter to be more fully
stated These laws at present apply TO citi-
zens of the United States only and their
provisions cannot be enjoyed except by that
small portion of the Indian race who are le-
gally entitled to the privileges of citizenship
The department has arrived at the conclu-
sion that when an Indian tribe is dissolved
and its tribal relations ended, with the con
sent of the United States, either by treaty OF
Legislative enactment, the members of such
tribe become ipso 1dcto citizens of the United
States, and entitled to all the privileges and
immunities belonging to other citizens.
The department has also decided that an
Indian cannot voluntarily dissolve his rela-
tion with his tribe, and thereby become
citizen of the United States; that before
citizenship can be created the tribal relation
must be dissolved by the tribe as tribe, and
that, too, with the consent of the General
Government, as shown by treaty or act of
Congress.
Reviewing these opinions I feel assured Of
their correctness. 1t was, in my Judgment
inconsistent with sound law, as well as with
public policy, TO permit an individual Indian, \
by voluntarily Withdrawing from his tribe, TO
become a citizen without some act OF the
Government recognizing his citizenship.
Under these circumstances, and in view OF
the importance of this subject, / deem 1t
proper to invite the attention OF Congress 10
the recommendation of the Commissioner OF
the General Land Office in favor of legislation
in behalf of Indians who desire to withdraw
tbnir former nSSnpintinns hppOmn IL
Zens Of the United States, and avail themselves
of the benefit of the Homestead laws.
An extension to the Indians of the benefits
of the Homestead laws, under the safeguards
mentioned, and such others as the wisdom of
Congress may suggest will greatly facilitate
the work OF their civilization.
The time has arrived when some general
law regulating Indian citizenship is, in my
Judgment, indispensable. Occasionally treaty
stipulations with Indian tribes are expiring,
among whom is found a greater or less de-
gree Of civilization. This compels the de-
partment to determine the status of such In
dians in regard to citizenship. There are also
many who desire to separate from their tribes,
adopt the habits and customs Of civilized life,
and become citizens.
THE BLACK HILLS.
The military reconnaissance Of the Black
Hills country was regarded by the Indians as
a violation Of their treaty, and produced a
turbulent feeling among them. It's objects,
ho~"ver, weIc pUavelully aeNy...P Pi.,i,"1 -
travagant statements. concerning the mineral
wealth of the country created great excite
ment among the people, and exploring par
ties were organized for the purpose Of pros.
pecting the country. Subsequent informa-
tion establishes the fact that no evidence of
valuable mineral deposits was furnished, and
that the lands in that region are undesirable
for cultivation and settlement by white men.
Notwithstanding this, organized parties have
attempted to explore it, and have been at
tackled and repulsed by the Indians, Il is ap-
pretended that efforts will be made TO induce
legislation for the eXtlnguishment of the
Indian title to the Black Hills county and to
bring the land into market 1t is hoped that
such efforts will be without success, because
of the general unhtness of the country for
settlement, and because any attempt to dis |
possess the Indians at present of region Of |
country upon which they located for security |
against the encroachments of the white nan |
would meet with violent and determinedre-
aNaNn