The People's vindicator., 1881-02-26
MESSAGES by the President.
THE pONCA INDIANS.

Messages by the fres'dent'
TIE PONCA INDIANS.
1ythe National House Of Representatives
on the "a message was received from INC
President, transmitting report VI '""'
mission appointed to ascertain 'he '"''S ''"'
tive TO the removal of tho Poncn lnd'"''s !" Ill
dian Territory, and to inquire into thelr prcsch'
condition, and also Il declaration W'"' ny '"e
Chiefs of that tribe, setting forth the c0'hpeh
sa!ion they will accept for their lan"s ana 1or
injuries done the tribe by tho removal TO IN
dian Territory.
After quoting from the reports or the Secre-
tary of the Interior, Agent Il. \. Howard ana
the Senate Committee upon the subject 'ne
President says:
"rho report Of the Commission appointed
by me and the testimony taken by thein "oo
very little to what was already cohtalneu III
the official reports OF the Secretary OF tne m
terror and the report Of the Senate .o'hli"'
tee touching the injustice done the Ponca IN
dams by their removal to the Indian TerrHo-
ry. Happily, however, the evidence reported
by the Commission, aid their recommends
tiOns, point out conclusivcly the true Meas'
ure OF redress which the Government OF Tue
United States ought now to adopt. The COM
mission in its conclusions Omits to state I'LL
important fact as" to the present CONDITION OF
the Poncas in Indian Territory, but the evl-
dence they have reported shows clearly and
c0nclusively that the POncas now residing IN
that Territory, 52l In number, are satlsned
with their new homes that they are healthy.
comfortable and contentcd, q nd that they are
freely and firmly decided to adhere to the
choice announced in the letter OF october 20
1850, and the declaration Of December II, lSs),
to remain in the Indian Territory, and
not to return to Dakota Territory. The
| evidence reported also shows that fragment
of the Ponca tribe, perhaps 80. which is still
| In Dakota aud Nebraska, prefer to rcmain on
their old reservation. In view OF these facts,
| I am confident the recommendation of the
Commission, together with the declaration OF
the Chiefs of December last, substantially fol-
lowed, will afford u solution of the POnca ques-
ton which is consistent with tho wishes and
interest of both branches Of the tribe, with the
settled Indian policy OF the Government, and
as nearly as practicable with the demands of
justice Our general Indian policy for the tu'
ture should embrace the following ideas:
~. The Indians should be prepared for citi-
zenship by giving to their young of both sexes
that industrial and general education which Is
requisite to enable them to be self-supporting
and capable OF sclt-protccton in civilized COM
nunities. ,
~. Lana should be allotted to Indians in
eeveratty, inalienablc for d certain period. 81.
"3. Indians should have fair compensation
for their lands not required for individual al
lotments, theumount to be invested with suit
I able Safeguards for their benefit. "''~
~ With these prerequisites secured, the In
dians should he made citizens, and invested
with the rights and charged with the RESPONSE
bilities Of citizenship. 4ut. ii
."It Is, therefore, recommended that leg
islation be adopted in regard to the Ponca In
dams, authorizing the Secretary of the 1nte
riorito secure to individual members Of tn
Ponca tribe, in severalty, sufficient land TO
their support, inalienabIe for term Of years
or until the restriction on alienation may b.
removed by the President. Ample time an
opportunity should be given members OF tn
tribe freely to choose their alIOtments, eithe
on their new or old reservations. Full com
pensation should be made for lands to be reliu
quished and for losses to them by the Siou
depredations, and by reason Of their remova
to Indian Territory, the amount not to b
less than the sum named in the declaration q
the Chiefs MADE December17, 1850; in shor
nothing should be left undone to show the In
dians that the Government regards thei
rights as equally sacred with those of its cit
zens. The time has come when the polio
should beto place the Indians as rapidly q
practicable upon the same footing with othe
permsnent inhabitants Of this country. q
not undertake to apportion the blame for th
injustice done the POncas. Whether the FL
ecutive, or Congress, or the public Is Chief
in fault is not now question Of practical in
portance., As Chief-Exccutive at the tim
!; when tho wrong was consummated. l al
deeply sensible that enough Of the respons
bility for that wrong justly attaches to me
: make it my personal duty and earnest desi1
to do all can to give to these Indian peop
that measure Of redress which is require
alike by justice and humanity. ,1..#
.... ~ "RUTHEKFORD B. HAYES"
. The message was ordered printed and
ferred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
NAVAL STATIONS ON THE 1sTHMUS.
On the same day the Speaker also laid befo
J the House message from the Presider
, transmitting for consideration and approria
, action by Congress letter from the Secreta
Of the Navy, recommending an appropriate
Of $aOOOOO for the establishment Of statio
: on the American Isthmus. The Preside
says = - - .'''- .',1''..'', i
B "Iu this paper the, concurrent testimony
I. prominent officers Of this Government for
. long series Of years, as to the feasibility al
y necessity of establishing such stations, and t
!. I great advantages to flow therefrom to t
naval and commercial interests of the Unit
: States, Is clearly set forth, and the consider
I tions adduced cannot but commend the
selves, am confident. to the earnest and Cal
full attention Of Congress: Convinced Of t