Weekly Chillicothe crisis. (Chillicothe, Livingston Co., Mo.) 1878-19??, 1881-12-15

venturOus settlers. These removals ant
the frontier collisions by which they have
often been preceded, have led to frequent
and disastrous conflicts between the races
1t is prOiitless TO discuss here which Oi
them has been chiefly responsible for the
disturbances, whose recital occupies ST
large space upon the pages of our history
We have to deal with the appalling fact
that although thousands of lives have been
sacrificed and hundreds of millions of dol.
lars expended in the attempt 10 solve the
Indian problem, ii had until within the
past few years seemed scarcely nearer a
solution than IL was half q century ago
But the government has Of late been eau.
tiOusly but steadily feeling IFS way to the
adoption of policy which has already
produced gratifying results and which in
my judgement is likely if congress and
executive accord in its support 10 relieve
us ere long from The difficulties which
have hitherto bcsct lis for the succ 81 Of
the efforts now making TO introduce among
the Indians the customs and pcrSuits Of
civilized life and gradually tORb5Orb them
| into the mass of our citizens sharing their
right and holden to their responsibilities.
| There is imperative need for legislative
action. Ny suggestion IN that respect will
be chiefly such as have been already called
to the attention Of congress, and have re-,
Ccivcd TO some extent its consideration.
First, | recommend ihr passage OF an
act making the laws Of the yariOu, states
and territories applicable To the Indian
reservations within thcir borders, aud CY.
| tending the laws of the state Of Arkansas
| to the portion of the Indian territory not
occupied by the five civilized tribes The
Indians should receive the protection of
| law, and should be allowed 10 maintain in
court his rights Of person and property.
lie has repeatedly begged for this privilege.
lis. exercise would bcyery valuable 10 him
in his progress toward civilization.
SrcOnd-Of even greater importance is a
measure which has been frequently rucOu-
mendcd by my predecessors in Office. and
in the furtheranCc 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 scycralty to such Indians at least as de-
sire it Of reasonable quantity Of land sc-
cured to them by patent, and for their own
protection made inalicnahlc. From TWEEN
ty or twenty-five years il demanded for
their present welfare and their permanent
advancement in return for such consider
ate action on part Of the government
IhCrci Is reason 10 believe that the Indians
in large numbers would be- persuaded to
NfN'l lllNll lllAdl lflUllbi anu AliLNLt 1T
once to agriculture. II (, now for their
best interests TO conform their manner Of
life 70 the new order Of things by no
greater induCcmCnt than the assurance Of
a permanent title to the soil can they br
led TO engage in the occupation Of tilling
il. The well attCstrd reports ul their in
creaSing interest in husbandry testify the
hone and belief that the enactment Of such
q statute as | recommend would be at once
attended with gratifying results. 4 resort
to the allotment system would have di
rect and powerful influence, DissOlying
the tribal bond, which is a prominent iea-
ture Of savage life, which tends 30 strong
ly to perpetuatc it there. | advise Il lib-
eral appropriation for the support Of In
dian schools, because Of my confident be.
lief that such course is consistent with
the wiSeSt economy, even among the most
uncultured Indian tribes. There is report
ed TO BE- a general and urgent desire on
the part Of the chiefs and older members
for the education Of their children. II is
unfortunate in view Of the TACT that dur
Ing the past year The means which have
been at the command Of the interior de-
partment for the purpose of the Indians
instruction have proved to be utterly in
adequate, and the success OF the schools
which are in operation at Hampton. Car
Isle and Forest Grove, should not onlycn-
courage q more generous provision for the
support Of those Institutions, but should
prompt the establishment of others Of Il
similar character They aTe doubtless
much more potent for good than tine day
schools upon the reservation, as the pupils
are altogether separated from the sur
roundings of savage life and brought into
constant contact with citizens.
There are many other phase, Of this sub
irct which are of great interest. but which
cannot be included within the becoming
limits of this communication. They are
discussed ably in the reports Of the 5gcgc
tary Of the interior