The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1881-12-15
L 8saS aIN l. q. a 1&Jns
INDIAN AFFAIRS

l.
INDIAN AFFAIRS
The report Of tho secretary Of tho interior,
with accompanying documents, presents an
elaborate account OF the business OF that de-
partmcnt A summary OF 1t would be TOO ex-
tended for this place. I ask your
careful attention to the report itself.
Prominent among the matter which
challenges tho attention of congress
at its present session is the management Of our
Indian affairs. While this question has been
a cause Of trouble and embarrassment from
Tic infancy OF tho government it is but re-
Gently that any effort has been made for its so
luton, at once serious, determined. consistent,
and promising success. 1t has been easier to
resort to convenient maleshifts for tidins over
tho temporary difficulties than to grapple
with the great permanent problem, and
accordingly the easier course has almost ill.,
variably been pursued. It vas natural at .
timo when the national territory seemed almost
ilimitable ind contained many millions OF
,lements, that policy should have been in
stitated which moro than aught else have been
tho fruitful source OF our Indian complications
refer, OF course, to the policy OF dealing with
the various Indian tribes as separate na;ionsl-
it,es' Of regulating item BY treaty stipula-
va.ioas in the West and of en-
couraging them to 1.-Two undisturbed by
any earnest and we'll directed efforts to bring
them under the influence Of civilization. Tho
unsatisfactory rules which have sprung from
this policy are becoming apparent to all. As
the white settlements have crowded the bor-
ders Of the reservations, the 1ndians-sone-
times con,entedlv, and sometimes against their
will-have been transferred to other hunting
grounds, from which they have again been
dislodxed whenever their new-found homes
have been desired by tho adventurous settler.
These removals and
THE FRONTIER co111s1oNs,
by which they have often been preceded have
led to frequent and disastrous conflicts be-
tween the races 1t profits not to discuss here
which of them have been chiefly responsible
for tho disturbances whose recital occupies 90
large space upon the pages Of our history.
We havo to deal with the appalling
fact that though thousands Of lives
Of millions OF dollars expended in the attempt
to solve the Indian problem, it had, until
within the past few years, seemed scarcely
nearer solution than it was half century
ago; but the government has Of late been
CONTINUOUSLY but steadily feeling its way to
produced gratifying results and which in my
opinion is Likely, ii congress and the executive
accord in it's support to relieve us before long
from the difficulties which have hitherto bexet
us for tho success OF tho efforts now making to
Introduce among the Indians the customs and
pursuits1 Of civilized life aud grad
uallv to absorb the mass of them among our
citlzans, sharing their rights and holding the m
to their responsibilities, there is imperative
need for legislative action. My suggestion in
that respect will be chiefly euch as has been
already called to the attention OF congress ami
have received to some extent its consideration.
First-1 recommend the passage Of an act
making the laws .! the various States and Ter
ritories applicable 70 the Indian reservations.
w'tt!n their borders and extending tho laws OF
Arka 70 tha v%;o ~
five civilized tribos. The Indian
should receive the protection Of the
law. he should be allowed to maintain in tne
courts his rights Of person and property. 10
has repeatedly begged for this privilege lte
progress toward civilization.
Secoud-Of even greater importance is the
measure which has been frequently recon-
mended by my predecessors in Office, aud Ct
which several bills have boon from timo to
time introduced in both houses Of congress
The enactment OF . general law permitting
tho allotment in severalty. to such Indians "
least as desire 1t, OF a reasonable quantity Of
!aud secured to them by patent and for their
own protection made inalienable from twenty
or twenty-five years. is demanded for their
present welfare and their permanent ADVANCE
ment In return for such consideration on the
part Of the government there is reason to be-
lieye that the Indians in large numbers
would be persuaded to sever their tribal rela-
tons and to engage et once in agriculture,
believing their nomadio days were over, aud
that it is now for their bast interests to con-
form their manner Of life to the now order Of
!hings. There can be no greater Involvement
than the assurance Of permanent title
. to the soil can they be led to
we'll attosted report Of the increasing Interests
in hushandry Justify hope and belief that the
enactment OF such q statute as l recommend
would Be at once attended with gratifying re-
sults Resort to
THE ALLOTMENT SYSTEM
would have direct and powerful influence. dis
solving the tribal bond which ia a prominent
feature Of savage life, and which Led 80 etrono.
lyto perpetuato it there. advise a liberal
appropriation for the support Of
Indian schools because Of my confident
with the wisest economy. Even among most
cncultured Indian tribes there is reported to be
general and urgent desire on the part of
chiefs aud older members for the education Of
their children. It is unfortunate in view of this
fact that during the past the means which have
ment for the purpose Of Indian instruction
The SUCCESS Of % the '''t Schools as''q wS;s6
are, in operation At HAMPTON.
o Car dn's and Forest Grove should
for the support OF the institutions, but should
prompt the Establishment of others of A
similar character. They are doubtle: 4
nuch more potent for good than tie
day, schools upon reservations for the
surroundings Of savage life and brou hi
into constant contact with civilization. There
arc many other phases Of this subject which
are Of great interest, but which cannot be in
Guided within the limits Of the present commu-
nlcation. They are ably discussed in the re-