New-York tribune., 1879-11-28
INDIAN AFFAIRS.

THE RED MAN IMPROVING IN CIVILIZATION AND
GENERALLY LIVING \ PEACEFUL LIFE INDUSTRY
AND EDUCAuON-TIIE UTES AND THE PoNCAs
WASHINGTON, Nov. 27.--Ihe report of the Secre-
tary of the Interior Is given to the public to-day.
The report begins with discussion of the lndian
problem. 1t refers 10 the good luck of the Cana
dians with the Indians of their territory, but SAYS
thai the case is different there. In the British
Possessions the Indians have occupied an immense
territory full of game. where they have long been
permitted to roam at pleasure without being inter-
fered with by the progress Of settlement. They
could almost wholly provide for themselves by
hunting Under such circumstances the Indian
problem was very simple. and peace was easily
maintained. Oi late, settlements have spread
and game has become less abundant, trouble is be-
ginning 10 arise.
Reference j. made 20 tbe fact that many Of the
Indian reservations in tins country have turned out
10 be of far greater value in agricultural and min
eral resources than they were originally thought to
be. and that they are now greatly coveted by the
white population surrounding them. The report
continues
Whatever troubles and perpexities the presence OF
Indians among cause, every man who loves jus
tice and who values The honor oI Inc american name
viii admit rnat 10 Is our solemn duiY 10 eaVc notAg
unried prepare better fate than eXIerunation anu
better rule than hat OF brute force for the original
occupants Of the soil upon when so many ullons Oi
our people have grown prosperous aud happy Thdt
savSei. I .S ana 1ha1 many Of them are savsves now
true but is also true that many rhrs nave risen 10
promising desree civilization and there Is
10 doubt that rest, II wisely guided, VIII DE- iOund
canable OF following their example.
IL h believed by many that the normal
ditlOn Of the Indians Is turbulence and hostility
~ tie whites; that the principal object or
quiet and that they can be kept quiet only by the con
snf presence and pressure force. This il
or the seventvone Indian agencies there are eleven
whcn have military posts In tier Immediate vicinity
march OF the 252,OOO Indians the United states
have been since the pacncaton OF uc sioux al no
time more than lew hundred IN hostile cohnict WIN
the whites Neither does II appear that such partial
disturbances neS nv tne presence o
military force OF The four disturbances that have
cured within the last years three broke out IN the
immediate presence OI sucA military lOice ana Only
one fnis moment band Of less than 500 Uts- and an
OF about 100 Indian marauders in AewMexic0 IN
ali than LOCO 0 an Indan population OF quarter
Of million. causing serious trouble. In act, the
number OF white desperadOes wnO Were within the past
twelve mouths banded together IN New-MeXco for
murder and rapne, larger than thar or the Indians
recently the ~arpath near Tic southern part OF the
Whiie am by no means disposed belitile the de-
plorahle Of Indian disturbances or the great
ist 10 the Indians 10 point out the important fact that
disturbance and hostility the exception, and
able conduct the rule that very large majority OF In
dian reservations are III condition or uninterrupted
quiet without the presence OF e0ercing force ana The
equally significant experience that thc more clEl]ed an
Indian tribe becomes The certainly can its peace
orderly conduct be depended uponThe progress
OF ciylzun and the maintenance Of peace among the
Indians have always gone hand III band
THE INDIAN POLICY OUTINEQ
II is frequently said that have no Indian policy.
This d mistake least far the Department is
concerned. II policy consists II keeping certain
object in view. and IN employing all proper at
command to attain that object, then THIS Department
has one.
The ends steacily pursued by il are the following:
First 10 the Indians work acriculluralisis
herders break up their habits OF savage life ana
10 make sefsuppOrtng; second, 10 cGucate their
the growing generation civinzed ideas, wants
and aspirations; third, 10 alOt parcels OF
land 10 Indians IN severalty. and to give
them individual title 10 their farms IN lee, naienable
far certain period thus 10 tOster the PRIDE Of lDd-
yidual ownership OF property instead Of their frmer
dependence upon the ulbe with It's territory held in
diydua THE is Accomplished 10 dispose WIN their con-
sent OF those lands their reservations whh are not
settled and by then the cteds 10 form lund
foI their benefit which Will gradually relieve the Gov
annual apprOpTatiOns nrh when this l. accomplished,
10 treat Indians IKE other Inhabitants Ot the Iniied
states under the laws Ol the iand.
policy II adopted ana supported by congress ana
carried out wisdom ana nruneSr. VIII ia my ol-
ION gradually bring about solution oi The Indian prod
cm without injustice 10 the Indan- aud also without
ohstructug The development of the country. IL VIII
raise them 10 level of civilization AZ least rqua 10 hlt
of the ciyl lied Tribes the Indian Territory aud prob
ably 10 higher e. considering tue stimulus OF lncl
ydual ownership Ia land. II VIII not take away nom
them by force what in justice and equity belongs TO
fhem but induce them 10 part with WAat theY cannot
cultivate and themselves Tor iar cOnpenratiOu
IL Will omen 10 progress and pruycent large districts
now held by Indians winch VII then be Of 40 real ad
vantage 10 tbem anu are aOw 10 nobody else.
The Secretary does not favor an abolition of the
tribal relation. He finds that the influence OF
tribal authority has often worked for good. lie
believes that good results soonest be reached 10y
follovtng the policy outlined above. The Secretary
,, ai,,s of tb. criticisms upon his department,