The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-08-15
Can the Indian Be Civilized.

Am erican people are apt to think that
our civilization is thing so simple in
its character, so manifestly beneficial in
its effects, that contact only is needed to
make the barbarian DESTROYS of embrac-
ing It, Consequently, it is the opinion
OF large class of citizens, that if the
right course was taken with the Indian,
he might soon be made useful and edu-
Gated member of society. 1t is true that
after two hundred years of labor and a
vast expenditure of money the red man
remains now as ignorant Of the laws con-
trolling a respectable white community,
and as far from becoming a civilized
being, as the day of the landing Of the
pilgrim fathers.
a recent writer upon the Indian sub
ject attempts to account for this. First,
the tribal relation yet in fall force retards
progress because it perpetuates barbarous
customs. As individuals, the red men
are entirely different both mentally and
morally from their white brethren, and
the attempt to ehgraft the modes of
thought of the latter upon natures so
radically opposed, must be attended with
the greatest difficulty. The change must
be made from the very beginning Of
things with them, and can only be the
result of persistent individual effort
even if it is possible at all. The idea
which many have entertained of trans
forming in Il few years tribe of wander
ing nomads, accustomed to the greatest
freedom of action, into a race of agricul-
turaists is Il manifestly absurd one, since
beside the entire change of habits, the
very memory of their old barbarous ira
ditions and customs must needs be swept
away.
The Indian has not the slightest idea
of definite law to control his actions.
He is entirely governed by his own pas
sions, and his whole life has a tendency
to increase their strength. Indeed he
does all that he can to brutalize himself,
and boasts of his success as the white
man boasts oyer difficulties overcome,
that have laid in the way of his pro-
gress.
Again, his religion is full of supe!sti
tious obscrvanccs which do not tend to
elevate him mentally and morally. He
does not seem to be capable of compre-
henting the tenets of Christianity, al
though expressing sometimes willing
ness to receive them and be baptized.
He does not appear able to grasp the
property idea, of earning and. possessing
individual wealth, which is one Of the
foundation stones of American civilian
ton.
The laborers in the Indian missions
express great deal of disappointment
at the result Of their work, claiming
that as soon ms their direct and personal
influence is withdrawn, the converted
savage sinks at once back into his former
state Of besotted ignorance, "the schools
languish, the cultivated fields are aban-
doned," and nothing, or next to nothing
remains of all the work that has been
done. Even the Indian youth who have
been taken from their surroundings and
given a college education, do not acquire
permanent civilized habits which enable
them to become influential educators in
their tribes.
These are all facts and discourag;ng
ones, and yet they do not by any means
prove that this people may not be civil
lied. Generations of the influence of
white persons of high moral character
and steady purposes; fixed abodes and
settled laws; thorough training of the
children in civilized customs and OBJ
servanccs; the breaking up of the tribal
relations; all of these things persevered
in would settle the question Of possible
Indian civilization. They have never
been perseveringly tried. The Indian
policy has had but vague and unsatis-
factory results, and it will continue to
have until decided change, iuaugu-
rating better method of procedure, is
begun and continued long enough to
give time for new habits to take deep
and permanent root among the whole
race of savages.-Toledo Blade.
The Fashionable Wife.
The fashionable wife looks on her hus.