The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-01-25
WORK AMONG THE INDIANS.

THE OLD AND THE NEW POLICIES OF THE
GOVERNMENT CoNTRAsTED-Tm APPEAL OF
A CHEROKEE.
public meeting was held In the South Re-
formed church, corner OF Twenty first street aud
Filth avenue. last evening" under the auspices Of
the various missionary boards, to listen to reports
and statements regarding the efforts being made
at Christtanzing our Indian tribes, the progress
in which has been greater during the past year
than in any previous one. Owing to the
inclemency OF the weather the attendance was
very limited. Alter the usual religious services
DR.. Jonn Mason Ferris was presented by General
Fax, and proceeded to contrast the present In.
dian policy witt the old. He showed how the
superintendents and agents were formerly ap-
pointed by Congressman as the reward Ior poti-
cal services to their followers. He graphically
depicted corruption, the great injustice to the
India u.s. with the consequent wars and expense to-
the government which resulted, and PORTRAYED the
Improvement which had followed on fntrustlng
the management OF Indian affairs to the MISSION
AIRY boards OF the various denominations. In REFER
ence to tue charge made that after the resigna-
tion OF the Indian commissioners last spring men
were recommended by the boards who were
likely TO suDserve corrupt practices, he said the
people OF The Methodist, the ConGregationaiist
and the Reformed chuIcnes would be astonished
to learn that General Fisk, Colonel Hammond, OF
Chicago, and E. H. Haight, OF TINS church, were
appointed Tor such purpose. He recapitulated
TUE RESULTS OF THE LAsORS
Il,
the country have had their attention turned to
Indian Affairs; the best body VI agents ever had
aateerea upoh their reseryatons: the promises
OF the government nave been faithfully per:
formed and the Indians have ali they are entitled
to; wars are less frequent; the general condition
OF the Indans IS very much Improved; more
schools are established, and these wards OF the
nation are taught to cultivate the soil aud build
houses. He showed now the direct expenses
were necessarily greater under the present sys.
tenn and explained the opposition to 1t on the
pOIirClaUS. contractors and DISCHARGED
employees. Not so much mad been Done as could
be desired, owing 10 the general depression OF
business; but with return OF prosperity new
schools Will be- established. Teachers WAL be sent
among them, and the Indians Will be helped BY
teaching them to help themselves.
DR.. Thompson followed IN defence OF the present
Indian policy. alter which the audience was al
COLONEL z. c. BoUDINor.
q Cherokee Indian. He depicted the progress OF
civilization among the Cnerokees who sixty.ave
and hshng, whereas now they. have churches
schooln0uses, newspapers and all the appli.
ances aud arts OF CIVILIZATION. For all tnfs
Advancement they were indebted TO such men as
those around him. The Indian In his original
state had rapidly dwlndled away-tne natural fate
OF all races wnicn put themselves in antagonism
to q superior civilization. The only hope Tor the
remnant hes In assimnating them to your cviliza-
tion. Referring to The laws Affecting tue indians,
he deplcted the anomalies growing out Of the fact
that the same legislation IL applied 70 botn the
wild and the civilized Indians. Under these laws
no Indian could become Q citizen as long
as MS TRIAL organization remained. Though 40
TIE manner DOTu" Nc - Al diIcu umOuk you, al
alien Ia the land OF his birth; though civilized ne
is an outlaw outside ol his reservation, unless oy
permission oil his agent and stand Del ore you IN
that relation tonight, not having received per.
mission TO leave home. The Indian has no power
to make a contract, Will the laws or
The state recognize and ENFORCE one made
by him. Among the Cherokees tne
revenue collector exercises his functions
though no representation is allowed US. These
things should be changed and dlstlnct0n mace
between the savage and the civilized a6origines.
he closed with sketch OF the Indian Territory,
which contains 70. 600 Indians 900 oil whom are
wild the balance being civilized or partially so.
Rev. u. Read, oil the Methodist Board, made
short address upon tue worK OF the Commission,
after which the meeting adjourned.