Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1878-05-24
aries taught them by example the bless
ings of industry. have been totally

iukS VI iHuuStry. nave Oeeu TOTALLY
neglected under the policy of the last
few years, until it has become proverb.
ial among the Indians that those who
endeavor to assist themselves receive no
assistance from the Government, while
the turbulent aud threatening reptiles
are pampered in their idleness. How
can this state Of affairs be remedicd |
The answer is plain and simple BY |
turning the Indian Bureau over to the |
War Department. The power will then |
be at hand to enforce obedience. The
mass Of the machinery will be in the
hands of men who have had experience
with Indian character in frontier ser.
vice, who will make pledges to be full.
filed and threats, If you please, or rules
and regulations (if the term better suit
the fastidous) to be enforced.
The men who have been schooled in
military service will have no desire to
perform the duties devolving upon them
in the Indian service lbnger than there
is public necessity for the performance
of that service, and they will endeavor
to hasten the day when the Indians un-
der their charge will no longer stand in
the relation Of the nations wards, but
will be ready and anxious to assume the
duties and responsibilities of citizens,
while your agents under the present
! system endeavor eternally to keep the
Indians in their present state OF depend.
ence in order to continue their power
and their opportunities for plumber.
There will be no more mythical Teton
Sioux requiring immediate aud cnor-
nous appropriations to be disburseG by
a "vial" Of holiness under the instruc.
tions Of an Immaculate Secretary Of the
Interior aud in the interest of pious
fraud.
| The Christianizing influences will not
be ignored. Schools, industrial habits,
and honest Christian missionary labor
will be fostered. The vital subject Of
improving the Indian race aud making
them self-sustaining will be enforced by
the Government, and the appropriations
for that purpose, under stringent rules
of Immediate prosecution and swift and
merited punishment that characterize
courts martial in military service, will
insure an honest administration of af.
} fairs. And last, but not least, the high
character Of the officers who will be de-
tailed for the Iodian service will render
the administration of Indian affairs q
J credit to the nation-not an outrage and
disgrace, as has been the case for q
long term Of years.
Mr.. Speaker. our Indian policy has
> been radically wrong from its inception
: It has been an anomaly, amonstrous in
congruity, burlesque upon US as ma
] tion.
The policy Of treating savage tribes
within the limits Of our Government al
t independent nations, making solemn
r treaties with them as with civilized ma
3 tions, allowing them all the attribute.
. Of sovereignty, aud while doing SO con.
: sidering them as the nation's wards, t.
, be supported in idleuess, will always
: interpose barrier to the advancement
e Of the Indians in civilization. Let tn,
l reservation system and tribal authority
= be abrogatcd as soon as possible. Civ
= every Indian, whether within or withou
: reservation, the same right to the en-
Ijoyment OF the privileges Of the home
/. stead laws as white citizens. Let thei
e land be inalienable and non taxable 70
a term of years, say fifteen or twenty
r break up your reservations as soon q
y possible. and with them all tribal rela
d tions. Give the Indians the FIRST chanc
$ for selecting homesteads on the .reserva
g tions SO br,ken up. Make every In
}. dian when he is outside reservatio
IS totally amenable to the State or terrific
r. rial laws, civil or criminal, general Q
D. municipal, Of the State or Territory i
At which he may be located. except tha
10 his homestead shall be inalieoable an
y non.taxable for term of years.
Of The suicidal policy that has bee
y, adopted and enforced by the loterie
ir Department under your peace policy {
H. making the Indian az .ncies, the Unite
or States forces in the field, aud the mil
Ill tary posts, settles of refuge" for tn
20 protection Of red-handed, indiscrimina
sn murderers Of men, women aud childre
ds the brutal ou.ragers of mothers az
.ir daughtcrs-commi.ting their crimes, n
I'd in a state of war, but by stealth.
d. peaceful communities--to which Il
d, tends can fee aud have protecti'
of against trial and punishment for the
u. crimes, has only been premium offer
ke to outrage, crime and bloodshed.
It is said
srs The fsar o. bells hsngman's whip,
m. To hand the wretch in order.
IL. And the fear of certain and exempla
he punishment for crime alone will restrs
no the brutal, be they Of the white or
be dian race.
M Let the Indian become citizen