The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-10-13
THE QUAKER POLICY.
REPORT OF THE FRIENDS.

THE COMMITTEE ON INDIAN AFFAIRS RE-
PORTS To THE YEARLY MEETING-woRK IN
THE WESTERN NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. UPON
THE RED MEN-AN INTERESTING PAPER.
RICHMOND, IND. Oct. 6.-The following was
presented to the yearly meeting of Friends in
session here to-day. 1t was enthusiastically en-
doIsed, and the committee continued another
year:
The associated executive committee of Friends
on Indian affairs present the following as the
fifth annual report of the condition of the work
under their care: Our annual meeting was held
as usual in the tenth month last, at the Office of
the superintendent in Lawrence, Kansas,
at which We had an opportunity
bic number of the teachers and others con-
nected with Indian affairs. We also met in
the seventh month we Were called together at
Lawrence To consider subjects connected with
the war-like disposition manifestedby portion
Various members of the c. mmittee have visited
many of the agencies under our care and besides
feel mat we have derived much benefit from
the personal observation. of these members by
which our views of the present condition, diff
culties and necessities of the work have been
Friends in the United States. are reoTested
to forward TO Chas. F. Coffin, our treasurer at
Richmond, Ind, their respective quotas OF four
thousand dollars, for the use OF tne committee
during the current year. Very interesting re-
plies have been received from our agents TO the
inquiry. .'What are the greatest obstacles 10 In
most promine mt seem to be: first, prejudice of
race, which has been greatly intensified by the
general treatment received by them from
the white race; second, strong adhesion
10 the traditions and customs of their tore
fathers, which they regard as of sacred char
acter; third, with some of the tribes rowing hab
it's prevent regular application OF civilizing
influences; fourth, the Acknowledgement OF the
law permitting the introduction of whisky,
stealing of their stock and destruction of game
upon their reservations: fifth, superstition or
unenlightened righteousness. In reference to
agents
WINGED that all the Indians believe in the power
and divinity of the creator. Many OF the best
minds AMONGST them are so deeply imSued with
religious subjects as to render them in the alb
sence of an outward revelation fanaitcal, super
sttiOuS and speculative as to the real design OF
their creation and life. Whilst they can not
realize the infinite love Of
THE GREAT SPIRIT
through Jesus Christ, there is yet within them
such desire for greater knowledge of this, to
their mysterious being, such longing TO bring
themselves into closer communion with him for
the purpose of obtaining greater spirituarand
temporal happiness that they are led in the alb
sence of true knowledge to believe in dreams as
propheSieS and in mysteries and 10 us mean
ing less, forms as proper method ofworship-
what seems TO us guttony and barbarsm to
them is but religious ceremony. They are as
much confirmed in their religious belief
are in ours, and 10 dispel their decisions re-
CURES patience, continued effort and great
religious subjects, except far as they can ap-
preciate them. 1t is al o exceedingly important
to bring them in contact with those whose lives
are constant proof of the blessed results of the
Christian faith" In two of our southwestern
agencies Violations of the intercourse laws by
white men have become increasingly prevalent.
Organized bands o. horse thieves nave done an
extensive business in raiding upon the stock OF
Indians. Hunters, in open disregard of law and
of the promises of the government to the Indi-
ans have slaughtered thousands upon thousands
of buffaloeS upon the reservations. whisky
peddlers have piled their wicked vocation and
the combined influence OF these classes OF Tres
pssserS has at last provoked the Indians
| them have determined to drive from their res
ervatiOns all the white persons not lawfully res
ident thereon. They rightfully consider 1t the
duty of the agents as officers OF the government
| to protect their rights, and justly complain be
possible, however, for our agents 20 afford this
protection, unless they call upon the military
arm OF the government. nus tney nave neS6
fling uoder foot an important testimony OF the
society. The extension of white settlements to
increased the number OF lawless men in that
section, and the non-enfcrcement of law on
reservations proves an INVITATION 70 TINS cas-
have attempted again and again to arrange FOL
the enforcement of the law by other parties, sc
parts of their work. We are still
LABoRING FOR THIS PURPOSE,
but feel that unless speedily successful we shall
be brought to point in which we must either
encourage our agents to enforce the law
by such means as the government
provides for that purpose, or We
must Withdraw from these agencies. 1t i;
very evident that without the preservation o.
law and order our power to do good TO the In
dams will be greatly impartial, If not entirely
destroyed. Hence this is a vital question and
one which demands the thorough and enIight
ened consideration of every member of oul
trade at several agencies has claimed our re-
peated consideration. The influence of those
ENGAGED IN tas Wisn t fer1 iiio9t
that in many instances this IL huence IS not on
the side of the Christian civilization
We lieve there are some openings
for usefulness 70 thoroughly Christian
capitalists who might be willing to enter
| this field. In the employment oil laD0reB we
have instructed our agents TO give The prefer.
ence to Indians whenever they could be Induced
| to perform the service. For however necessai y
| the aid of white employees may De as instruct
ors vet the Indians must not only be taught
how work should be done but actually to do i,
until they show themselves prompted TO self
support by the same motives which actuate
fbere Is PeoP READY In response to Efforts n
| this.direction, but great patience and long per-
severance will be needed or others to overcome
their congratulated habits and their aversion
| to manual labor. We deem it important to keep
before the minds Of our workers the thought
that their real success is not to be measured by
| the amount of work which they may procure TO
| be done by white men about the agencies, but
| by the effect of this work upon the Indians. 1t
| is quite possible 10 build houses, enclose
and break up large fields and cultivate
good. crops by white employees and yet
| TO leave the Indians very much In
| the same state Of thriftlessness anddependence
| in which they were found. Amongst the wild
| rowing Indians we have been earnestly laboring
for years to induce all whom we could influence
| to settle down upon small farms about the
| agencies. Hitherto have met with poor
| success on account of depredations 10 which
| this class are subjected by wilder portions OF
their tribes, Not only are their little crops de-
| stroyed but they are constantly tainted with
having forsaken the ways OF their forefathers
and subjected 10 every influence likely to rem
| der them dissatisfied with the new mode of life
which they have adopted. These rowing Ind1-
ans have never been satisfied with the present
LOCATION OF THEIR AGENCIES.
Because they are required to travel so far east
ward from their hunting grounds to receive their
sugar, coffee, -four, etc., which the government
disposes TO tn EN-. If supply stations were estab-