Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1878-11-12
INDIANS.

Gen. Gibbon, commanding the depart
ment Of Dakota, In his annual report, does
up the Indian agent in this style:
The average Indian agent, intent upor
the spiritual welfare of the red man, desir
Gus of elevatiDg the soul and achieving
what has never yet been reached in q stu
gle Generation-making a civilized man Of
him-but too frequently ~neglects his bodily
wants, and, while the agents is preparing
him Tor heaven, as he thinks, is actually
making a hell for him upon earth by leav.
ing him unclothed and unfed, while but
too frequently the price of his clothing and
food is put into the agents pocket.
There are a few OF us who will recognize
the real Indian agent in the ideal sketch
made by the distinguished commander Of
the department of Dakota. With an ex-
tensive acquaintance among Indian agents,
We cannot fix our thoughts upon apy who
are much worried about the spiritual In.
dian. While most of them are God feu1ipp
men and would doubtless rtjoice to know
that the souls of their dead wards were
waited to realms Of eternal bliss, there are
lev who have any time TO devote to spirit.
ual matters. They are chosen to provide
for the temporal wants Of the red paupers
OF the nation, and though The assertion may
s'artle some of our we'll meaning reformers,
they DO really devote their time, energies
and abilities to that object. We read much
about the sufferings Of the Indisns-abou:
their being half starved and insuficiently
clad. So far as the Sioux Indians are con.
ccrned we Lave yet to be convinced that
single instance of this SOFT of neglect ex.
lists or has existed in the last five years. III
treatment of Indians is one of the startling
hctlons upon which alleged reform is based,
out reform will never progress until it rids
itself Of this false idea. Gen. Gibbons ar
Guments in favor of the transfer Of the Iu-
dian bureau to the war department furnish
many substantial reasons why such a change
should be made and we agree with him
Upon the general proposition, believing
tnat Its eonsummation would be better for
the Indian and better for the service. Blu,
That the Indians of Dakota are unfed and
unclothed is an assertion which the facts
before Us do not substantiate. Volumes
almost, have been written upon the subiect
OF the wroneed Indian and the rasc,li,y of
Indian agents. These matters have heen
from time to time investigated and there "a
hardly an instance on record wherein the
result has justified the charge. USUALLY the
supposed offender is deposed, and the world,
so Tar as it knows anything about the case.
mas q vague idea that he is guilty of cruelt,
and population. Out of the multitude Of
unproven charges a public sentiment has
oeen created which Immediately consipas
Indian agent to the list of ropues. upon
the unsustained assertions of irresponsible
and INSCRIPTIONS government detectives.
who must make business for themselves,
Else the service will not employ them.
mere are other and better reasons why the
army should take charge of the indians,
IMAM mat the Indians are insuficiently fed
and scantily clothed. This is not q reason
ior the transfer. because this condition doe,
not exist. at least here 10 Dakota. The
Sioux Indians are wellfed, warmly clothed
ana comfortably housed. The skeptic can
convince himself OF this by going among
them. He can convince himself by the evi.
dence OF intelligent and fair minded white
men who live among them.