The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1881-12-07

hOAhOO H"NO OOOA 1OSl1Nu NY UO0
adventurous settlers. These removals
and the frontier colonists by which
they have often been succeeded,
have led to frequent and disastrous
conflicts between the races. 1t is
proftlesS to discuss here which Vi
them have been chiefly responsible
for the disturbances, whose recital
occupies so large a share of the
pages Of our history. We have
to deal with the appalling
fact that thousands of lives
have been sacrificed and hundreds
of millions of dollars expended in
| the task to solve the Indian prob
| lem. 1t had, until the past few
years, seemed scarcely nearer a So
luton than it was half a century
ago, but government has Of late
been cautiously but steadily feeling
its way to the adoption Of Il policy
which has already. produced crafty
ing results and which in my judg-
ment is likely, if Congress and the
Executive accord in its support, to
relieve us ere long from the Difficult
ties which have hitherto beset us.
For the success of the efforts now
making to introduce among the
Indians the customs and pursuits of
civilized life and gradually to alb
sorb them into the mass of our citi
zens, protecting then rights and
holding them to their responsible
ties, there is , imperative need for
Legislative action. My suggestions
in that respect will be chiefly such
as have been already called TO the
attention of Congress, and have re-
ceived, to some extent, its cOnsid-
Grafton.
First, [ recommend the passage of
an act making the laws of the
various states and territories appli-
cable to the Indian reservations
within their borders and extending
the laws OF the state Of Arkansas to
the portion Of IndiaB territory not
occupied by the five civilized tribes.
The Indian should receive the pro-
lection of the law. He should be
allowed to maintain in court his
rights of person and property. He
has repeatedly begged for this priv
ilege. It's exercise would be very
valuable in his progress toward civ
| iliZation.
Second, of even greater import
ance is a measure when has been
frequently recommended by my
predecessors in Office. and in fur
therance Of which several bills have
been from time to time introduced
in both houses Of Congress. The
enactment of a general law permit
ting the allotment in severalty to
such Indians at least as desire it, of
a reasonable quantity Of land,
secured to them by patent and for
their own protection and made in
alieEable for twenty or thirty-five
years, is demanded for their pres
ent welfare and their permanent adj
Yancement. In return for such
consideration on the part Of govern
ment there is reason to believe
that Indians in large numbers
would be persuaded to sever
their tribal relations and engage
at once in agricultural pursuits,
in the belief that their tribal days
were over and that it is now for
their best interest to conform their
manner Of life to the new order Of
things. There is no greater induce
ment than the assurance of perma-
nent title to the soil. Can they be
led to engage in the occupation of
tilling it? Well attested reports of
their increasing interest in hus-
bandry justify the hope and belief
that the enactment Of such a stat
ute as [ have recommended would
be at once attended with gratifying
results. A resort to the allotment
system would have direct and pow
erful influence for dissolYing the
tribal bonds, which is the prominent
feature of savage life andWhich tends
so strongly to permanency. l adj
wise a liberal appropriation for the
support of Indian schools. 1t is my
confident belief that such a course is
consistent with the best economy.
Even among the most uneultured
Indian tribes there is reported to be
q general desire on the part Of the
chiefs and the older members for
the education of their children. 1t
is unfortunate, in view Of
this fact, that during the past
years the means which have
been at the command Of the in
terror department for the purpose of
Indian instruction have proved to be
utterly inadequate. The success of
the schools which are in operation
at Hampton, Carlysle and Forest.
Grove, should not encourage a more
generous provision for the support
of these institutions, but should
prompt the establishment Of othe1s
of a siRilar character. They are
doubtless much more potent for
good than day schools upon reserya-
lions, as pupils are altogether separ-
ated from the surroundings Of
rough life, and brought into
CONSTANT oonue,cJ with civiliza-
ton. There are many other phases
of this subject which are of
great interest, but which cannot be
included within becoming limits of
this communication. They are dis
cussed ably in the reports Of the
secretary Of the interior, and of the
commissioner of Indian affairs.
POLYGAMY IN THE TERRITORIES.
For many years the Executive, in