The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1881-12-15

when tho provision for tho Territories was
dropped. ! am not advised whether
this alteration was intentional or
accidental. but as it seems to mo that the Ter
ritories should be et1orded theproteotion which
suggest legislation to that end. 1t seems 10
me that whatever view may prevail as to tho
policy Of recent legislation by which the army
has ceased to be part Of the posse comitatrs,
an exception might we'll be made for permitting
tho military to assist the civil Territorial author
tiles in enforcing the laws Of the Cnited States.
This use Of the army would not seem to be- the
alleged evil against which that legislation was
aimed. From sparseness Of population and
other circumstances, it is quite impracticable
to summon . civil posse in places whore OFF,
GERS OF justice require assistance when mill
tary force is within easy reach.
l.... . rnAOn.
INDIAN AFFAIRS.
The report Of tho secretary Of the interior,
with accompanying documents, presents an
elaborate account the business of that de-
partmcnt sumnal, it would be too ex-
tended for this place. l ask your
careful attention to the report itself.
Prominent among the matter which
challenges the attention of congress
at its present session is the management of our
Indian affairs. While this question has been
cause Of trouble aud embarrassment from
the infancy Of the government. 1t 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 makeshifts for tidiug over
the temporary difficulties than to graphic
with the great permanent problem, and
accordingly the easier course has almost H.
variably been pursued. 1t was natural at
time when the national territory seemed almost
illimitable and contained many millions OF
acres far south of tho bounds Of civilized set
Elements, that policy should have been IN
stituted which more than aught else have been
the fruitful source of our Indian complcatlons.
refer, of course, to tho policy of dealing with
the various Indian tribes as separate national
tiles, of regulating them by. treaty stipula-
vations in the West and of en-
couraging them to live undisturbed by
any earnest and we'll directed efforts to bring
them under the influence Of civilization. The
unsatisfactory rules which have sprung from
this policy are becoming apparent to ALL AS
the white settlements have crowded the Dor
ders of the reservations, the Indians-some-
times contentedly, and sometimes against their
will-have been transferred to other hunting
grounds, from which they have again been
dislodged whenever their new-found homes
have been desired by the adventurous settler:
These removals and
THE FRONTIER COLLISIONS,
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 the disturbances whose recital occupies 80
large space upon the pages of our history
We have to deal with the appalling
fact that though thousands of lives
have been sacrificed and hundreds
Of millions of dollars expended in the attempt
to solve the Indian problem, it had, until
within the past few years, seemed scarcely
nearer Q solution than it was half = century
ago; but the government has of late been
continuously but steadily feeling it's way to
the adoption OF peace which has already
produced gratifying results and which in my
opinion is likely, if congress and the executive
accord in its support, to relieve us before long
from the dinculties Which have hitherto beset
US for the success of the efforts now making to
introduce among the Indians the customs and
pursuits3 of civilized life and grad
uallv to absorb the mass of them among our
citizens, sharing their rights and holding them
to their responsibilities, there is imperative
need for legislative action My suggestion in
that respect will be chiefly such as has been
already called to the attention of congress and
have received to some extent its consideration.
First recommend the passage Of an act
making the laws of the various States and Ter
ritories applicable to the Indian reservations.
within their borders and extending the laws of
the State Of Arkansas to the portion of the
Indian territory not occupied by the
should receive the protection of the
law. He should be allowed to maintain in the
courts his rights Of person and property. He
has repeatedly begged for this privilege Its
exercise would be very valuable to him in his
progress toward civilization.
SecOnd-Of even greater importance is the
measure which has been frequently recon-
mended by my predecessors in Office, and Of
which several bills have been from time to
time introduced in both houses of congress.
The enactment OF general law permitting
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 made inalionable 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-
lieve that the Indians in large numbers
would be persuaded to sever their tribal rela-
tons and to engage at once in agriculture,
believing their nomadio days we're over, and
that it is now for their best interests to con-
things. There can be no greater inducement
than the assurance of permanent title
to the soil can they be led to
engage in the occupation of tilling it The
we'll attested report of the increasing interests
in husbandry justify hope and belief that the
enactment of such statute as I recommend
would be at once attended with gratifying re-
suits. Resort to
THE ALLOTMENT SYSTEM
would have direct and powerful influence, dis
solving the tribal bond which is q prominent
feature of savage life, and which led so strong
ly to perpetuate it there. I advise q liberal
appropriation for the support of
Indian schools because Of my confident
believe that such course is consistent
with the wisest economy. Even among most
uncultured Indian tribes there is reported to be
a general and urgent desire on the part of
chiefs and older members for the education of
their children It is unfortunate in view of this
fact that during the past the means which have
been at the command of the interior depart
ment for the purpose Of Indian instruction
have proved to be utterly inadequate.
The success Of the schools which
are in operation at Hampton,
Carlisle, and Forest Grove should
not only encourage more general provision
for the support of the institutions, but should
prompt the establishment of others of a
similar character. They are doubles
much more potent for good than the
day schools upon reservations for the
pupils are altogether separated from the
surroundings Of savage life and brou,h
into constant contact with civilization. There
are many other phases of this subject which
are of great interest, but which cannot be in
cluded within the limits Of the present commu-
| nication. They are ably discussed in the re-
ports of the secretary of the interior ard of the
commissioner of Indian affairs
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