Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1879-12-12
The Administration. Indian Policy

The report of Secretary Schurz on the af-
fairs Of his department contains some ubser-
yations on the Indian question il general
which should 60 far to clear up popular mis-
apprehensions Of the policy Of the Govern
ment 1t has been the custom among some
critics. for example, to contrast the compare
tive peace and tranquility prevailing among
the Indians il Canada with the disturbances
on this side Of the border, and to draw CON
illusions unfayorable TO our policy. But the
difference between the position OF affair in
Canada and il this country is, Us Secretary
Schurz clearly indicates difference due to
circumstances and not to policy. The dis
turbing element in this country is the steadily
tightening pressure Of white settlements
The lands of the Indians are wanted for agri-
culture or mining Encroachment Is met
with resistance, and resistance with reprsals
and the result is war. II Canada the posi-
ton of affairs is different. There are vast
tracts Of land well peopled with game. over
which the Indians have roamed and hunted
without encroachment from the whites and
so without provocation to war. Recently
however, settlements have spread and game
has diminished and the Canadian Govern
ment will soon have to meet problem very
much like that which has SO long perplexed
US.
There is another misapprelension which
Secretary Schurz seeks to correct, and that is
the notion that hostility is the normal condi-
ton Of the Indians and that the principal
aim of the Government. therefore must be
to hold them il repression. So far is this
from being true that out Of the more than Il
quarter Of million Indians in the United
States, there have not been at any time since
the pacifcation Of the Sioux more than few
hundred il conflict with the whites The
number Of Indians on the war path in New
Mexico is actually less than the number Of
white desperadoes il that Territory who have
been banded together during the last year for
purposes of murder and rapine The facts
show that, among the Indian population as q
| whole, hostility and disturbance are the ex-
| ception and peaceable conduct the rule, and
| further that the progress of civilization and
the maintenance of peace have gone hand il
hand.
Secretary Schurz defines again, very sue
cinctly, the points arrived ia Tire Govern
luenG poncy. These are, first Of all, TO break
up the habits Of savage life by setting the
Indians at work as farmers or herders sec
ond, to educate the Indian youth, so as to il
| troduce to them civilized ideas and aspira-
| lions third, to allot parcels Of land in sew
crafty to Indians, and 10 give them indvid-
ual titles TO their farms, a very important
step toward developing in them individuality
and independence fourth, after the settle
ment by individual tribes is accomplished,
| to dispose, with the consent Of the indians,
| of those lands on their reservation not used
| by them the proceeds to constitute fund
for their benefit, which would gradually IT.
heve the Government Of appropriations for
them and fifth after this is done, 10 treat
Indians like other inhabitants under the laws,
The more carefully this policy is studied the
more cordially, We believe, it will be Endorsed
by all except those who have some selfish In
terests to serve by having the Indians dispos-
sessed Of their lands. 1t will accomplish q
double purpose il educating the Indians il
independence and citizenship, and il reieas-
ing, on Just terms, such lands a. art not
needed for their settlement. IL this way the
difficulties which inhere il tho tribal rela-
tions and in the reservation system viii be
gradually disposed of without disturbance and
without injustice