National Republican., 1878-12-03

band Of Northern Cheyeupes who suddenly
lcft their reservation In the Indian Territory
mud marched rapidly through the States Of
Kansas and Nebraska In the direction OF their
old huntinG-grounds, committing murders and
other crimes ON their way. From documents
accompanying the report Of tho Secretary Of
the Interior, II appears that this disorderly
band was NJ fully supplied with the necessaries
Of life rs the four thousand seven hundred
other Indians who remained quietly on the
reservation, aud that tho disturbance was
caused by mon Of u restless aud mischievous
disposition among the Indians themselves.
Almost tho whole OF this band have sur
rendered TO the military authorities, and II Is
gratifying fact that, when some Of them had
taken refuge in tho ctmp Of tho Red Cloud
Sioux, with whom they had boon In friendly
relations the Sioux held them as prisoners and
readily gave them up to the officers
Of the United States, thus giving now
proof Of the loyal spirit which. alarming ru.
mors to tho contrary notwithstanding, they
they expressed at tho council Of September,
1877, had been complied with.
Both the Secretary of the Interior and tho
Secretary OF War unite In the recommendation
that provision be made by Congress for the Or
ganization Of corps Of mounted "Indian aux.
iliarics," TO be under the control OF tho army,
aud to be used for tho purpose of keeping the
Indians on their reservations and preventing
or repressing disturbance on their part.
earnestly concur In this recommendation. II
Is believed that the organization Of such q body
OF Indian cavalry, receiving moderate pay
from tho Government, would considerably
weaken the restless element among the In
dians by withirawing from ita number Of young
men and giving them congenial employment
under the Government, IL being matter Of cx-
pericncc that indians in our service almost
without exception aro faithful In tho perform
ance Of the duties assigned to them. Such an
organization would materially aid tho army In
the accomplishment of task for which its nu-
merical strength Is sometimes found insult.
Cicnt.
But, while the employment of force for tho
prevention or repression OF Indian troubles Is
Of occasional necessity. aud wise preparation
should be made to that cnd, greater reliance
must be placed on humane and civilizing
agencies for tho ultimate solution of what Is
called tho Indian problem. 1t may be very
difficult and require much patient effort to
curb the unruly spirit of the savage Indian to
tho restraints Of civilized life, but experience
shows that 1t Is not impossible. Many Of the
tribes which are now quiet and orderly aud
selfsupporting were oncc as savage as any
that at present roam over the plains or in tho
mountains Of the Ear West, aud were then con.
sidered inaccessible to civilizing influences
II may be Impossible to raise them fully up to
the level Of the white population of tho United
States; but VIC should not forget that they are
tho aborigines Of the country aud called tho
soil their own on which our people have grown
rich, powerful, and happy.
We owe 1t to them ms moral duty to help
them In attaining at least that degree Of civili-
zation which they may be able to reach. 1t is
not only our duty-it Is also our interest to do
so. Indians who have become agriculturists or
herdsmen, and feel au interest In property,
will thenceforth cease TO bc a wariiko and
ticatod fact that Indians are apt to be pcaccable
and quiet when their children are at school, aud
! am gratifed to know, from the expressions of
Indians themselves and from many concurring
reports, that there Is steadily increasing
desire, even among Indians belonging to
comparatively wild tribes, to have their chill
drcn educated.
invite attention to the reports of tho Sec.
rotary Of the Interior aud the Commissioner of
Indian Affairs, touching tho experiment 70.
comfy inaugurated In taking fifty Indian
boys and girls, from different tribes,
to tho Hampton Normal Agricultural Insti-
tutc, in Virginia, where they are to receive an
elementary English education and training in
agriculture aud other useful work, to be re-
turned to their tribes after tho completed
course as interpreters, instructors, aud exam.
pies 1t Is reported that the officer charged
with the selection of those children might have
had thousands of young Indians sent with him
had 1t been possible to make provision for
them. lagree with the Secretary Of tho Inte-
rior in saying that "the result of this interest
ing experiment, If favorable, may be destined
to become an important factor in the advance
ment OF civilization among the indians"
Tho question whether change in the con.
troll OF tho Indian service should be made was
at tho last session of Congress, referred to u
committee for inquiry and report. Without
desiring TO anticipate that report, venture TO
express tho hope that In the decision Of SO i'm
portant question the views expressed above
may not bo lost sight of, and that the decision,
whatever 1t may be, will arrest further agita-
ton OF this subject, such agitation being apt
TO produce disturbing effect upon the service
rs well Us on the Indians themselves.
In the enrolment of tho bill making appro-
priations for sundry civil expenses, at the last
session OF Congress, that portion which pro-
vided for the continuation of the Hot Springs
was omitted. As the commission
had completed the work Of taking testimony
on the many conflicting claims, tho suspen.
sion of their labOrs, before determining the
rights of claimants, threatened, for time to
cnibarrass the interests, not only of the Gov
but also of large number of the
citizens Of the Hot Springs, who were waiting
Tor final action OIL their claims before begin
ming contemplated improvements. In order
to prevent serious difficulties, which were ap-
pretended, and at the solicitation of many
leading citizens of Hot Springs, and others
interested In tho welfare OF the town
Inc Secretary Of the Interior was authorized
20 request the late commissioners to
ake charge of tho records Of their
and to perform such work as
,ould properly bo done by them under such
to facilitate the future adjudi.
cation Of the claims vt M carly day, and to
preserve the status of tho claimants until
their rights should DO tinally determined. The
ate commissioners complied with that rc.
quest, aud report that the testimony in all
tho cases has been written out, examined,
Drieled, and so arranged as to facilitate an
,arly settlement whom authorized by law.
II Is recommended that tho requisite author
ty be given ut as early day in the session as
possible, and that fair compensation be al.
Owed the late commissioners for the expense
Incurred aud the labor performed by them
since the 25th Of June last.
l invite the attention of Congress to the
made by the Secretary of
The Interior with regard TO the preservation
IF the timber on the public lands Of the United
States. The protection of the public prop
,rty is one OF tho first duties of the Govern
nent. The Department Of the Interior should,
therefore,, be enabled by sufficient appropria.
lions to enforce the laws in that respect. But
his matter appears still more important rs q
luegt inn Of public ecouomy Tho runil 1n.