Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1874-12-10
The Indian Question.

WASHINGTON, Nov. ~.
The following are the main points of
the annual report of the Secretary of the
Interior to the President on the Indian
question. The report bears Gate Oct. 81,
1874:
The operations of the Indian Bureau dur
ing the past year are highly gratifying. They
furnish conclusive evidence of the justice,
wisdom and practicability of the policy in
augurated by the present Administration
The success Of this policy is no longer prob
lem. If steadily pursued, we shall soon see
all rowing tribes located upon reservations.
We may reasonably expect occasional dis
turbances in the future caused by individuals,
or by disorderly bodies Of Indians, but W IN
judicious and efficient execution Of the 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 agrcul-
ture and in other pursuits incident to civiliza-
ton, and with the aid of our Christian organ
izatons their intellectual, moral and relig-
ious culture is advanced as rapidly as practi-
cable. When a tribe refuses to accept Il res
ervation, and continues to violate the laws Of
civilization, it is treated with all needful
severity, 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 it is
the aim Of the Government 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
be entirely overcome. l am happy In being
able to say that the earnest, active and cordial
cooperation of several Christian organiza-
tions to which the right of nominating agents
has been assigned, and upon whose nomina-
tons alone such agents are appointed, Is con-
stantly improving this class Of employees, and
| thus we are each year, to some extent, adj
vancing 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 feel
ing 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 it be sup
posed that they will accept the complete
change in their modes oil life and in their man.
agement by the Government which is now be-
ing effected without complaint and resistance,
which may occasionally require the employ.
ment of force nor can it be supposed that
time is not required for the accomplishment
of such change
To aid in prosecuting the work of Indian
ri vt 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
legally entitled to the privileges of citizen
ship.
The department has arrived at the con-
cluson that when an Indian tribe is dissolved
and its tribal relations ended with the con-
sent of the United States, either b. treaty or
| legislative enactment the members of such
| tribe become ipso. facto citizens of the United
! States, and entitled to all the privileges and
| mmunities belonging to other citizens.
| The department has also decided that an
| Indian cannot voluntarily dissolve his rela-
| tion with his tribe, and thereby become a
citizen of the United States; that before citi-
zenship can be created the tribal relation
must be dissolved by the tribe as tribe and
Government, as shown by treaty or act of Con-
| gress.
Reviewing these opinions, 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 citizen without some act OF the
Government recognizing his citizenship.
| Under these circumstances, and in view OF
| the importance of this subject, ] deem it
proper to invite the attention of Congress TO
! the Recommendation of the Commissioner of
the General Land Office in favor OF legislation
| in behalf of Indians who desire to withdraw
from their former associations, become citi-
zens of the United States, and avail them
| selves 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.