Morris tribune., 1881-12-15
L lsl. iIS L II ItIOn.
INDIAN AFFAIRS.

INDIAN AFFAIRS.
The report of the secretary of the interior,
with accompanying documents, presents an
elaborate account of the business of that de-
partment summary Of it would be too ex-
tended for this place. l ask your
careful attention to the report ITSELF
Prominent among the matter when
challenges the attention OF congress
at its present session is the management OF our
Indian affairs. While this question has been
a 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 tldlug over
the temporary difficulties than to grapple
with the great permanent problem, ana
accordingly the easier course has almost III
variabiy been pursued 1t was natural at
time when the national territory seemed almost
illimitable and contained many millions OF
acres far south of the bounds of civilized set
dement's, that policy should have been IN
stituted which more than aught else have been
the fruitful source of our Indian complications.
l refer, of course, to the policy of dealing with
the various Indian tribes as separate national
ties, of regulating them by treaty shpuia-
ton to the occupancy Of immense reser-
vations in the West and OF en-
couraging them to live undisturbed by
any earnest and well-directed efforts to bring
them under the influence Of civilization. Inc
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
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 30
large a space upon the pages of our history.
We have to deSl 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 solution than it was half century
ago; but the government has of late been
continuously but steadily feeling Its way TO
| the adoption OF peace which has a,reafy
| produced gratifying results and which III my
opinion is likely, If congress and the executive
accord in its support, to relieve us before loug
| from the difficulties which have hitherto beset
| US for the success of the efforts now making TO
introduce among the Indians the customs aud
| pursuitsi of civilized life and grad
| 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
1 I,Iro Sa-rS ,,N& sod h,- H.
five civilized tribes. The Indian
should receive the protection of the
law. He should be allowed to maintain in tie
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.
| Secord-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 a.
least as desire it. of reasonable quantity Of
land 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-
lieve that the Indians in large numbers
would be persuaded to sever their tribal rela-
tions and to engage at once in agriculture
believing their nomadic days were over, and
that it is now for their best interests to COL
form their manner Of life to the new order OF
things. There can be no greater inducement
than the assurance of permanent title
to the soil can they be led tC
engage in the occupation of filling it The
well attested report of the increasing interests
in husbandry justify hope and belief that the
enactment of such a statute as l recommend
would be at once attended with gratifying re-
| suits Resort to
| THE ALLOTMENT SYSTEM
would have direct and powers III influence, dis
solving the tribal bond which is promlnen
feature of savage life, and which led so strong.
ly to perpetuate it there I advise a liberia
appropriation for the support o.
Indian ac'.ool7 because of my confiden
believe that such course is consistent
with the wisest economy. Even among mo-
uncultured Indian tribes there is reported to b,
general and urgent desire on the part O
chiefs and older members for the education O.
their children. 1t is unfortunate in view of thu
fact that during the past the means which hav,
been at the command of the interior depart
have proved to be utterly inadequate
The success of the schools wbiel
are in operation at Hampton
Carlisle, and Forest Grove shou,,
not only encourage more general provisi,
for the support of the institutions, but shoulc
prompt the establishment of others of +.
similar character. They are doubtle
much more potent for good than IL
day schools upon reservations for tn
pupils are altogether separated from III
surroundings Of savage life and brou b
into constant contact with civilization There
are many other phases of this subject which
are of great interest, but which cannot be in
Guided within the limits of the present commu
nication., They are ably discussed in the re-
ports of the secretary of the interior ard of til,
NnTlr1 CIrvrnr Nf T,,l, CO.,