Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-12-08
RnuuATrNG INnIANs.


Among the various educational institu-
lions that benevolence has founded the insti
tute at Hampton, Va, deserves especial
notice, for it commenced and is carrying on
a work that ought to have been entered upon
half a century ago, and which may lead to
very important results The institute was-
originally designed for the education of
young negroes, not only in the branches
usually taught in common schools, but also
training in practical work, forming habits of
industry and instructiug the pupil how to
employ that industry ia some specific trade
or manual employment in the field or the
shop. OF those who have received the edu-
cation and training the institute gives, 400
persons are now employed in different
parts of the Union in teaching schools
of their own race. The methods they
have acquired at the institute make
them competent instructors, while their
knowledge of the dispositions and ways of
living of their own people make them eff
cient and acceptable Four hundred negro
youths aud girls are now pupils At the iusti-
tute, and are receiving a training that will
enable them to support themselves in a way
calculated to arouse self-respect aud give
them influence with their people of a kind
calculated 10 elevate the race to higher
plane. Excellent and valuable, and worthy
of hearty support as this part OF the insti-
tute's work is, in another departmental sp-
pears likely 10 produce still more admi-
rAble results. In 1878 the valuable privi-
leges of the institute were extended
so as TO include Indians, and this year
100 Indians of various tribes are resident
among the Hampton pupils. They are re-
Chewing a fair education, and are also learn
ing such trades as viii be of special use TO
their people when they return among them.
As tailors, carpenters or blacksmiths they
can do much to add to the comfort OF their
race among whom they will dwell, While the
their useful attachments will
secure for them will make them influential
in turning the attention OF their people 10
the utility of steady labor and the advantage
of regular and trained habits. The govern
ment allows the institute something toward
the support of the Indians, but not sufficient
to cover all the expenses involved In their |
entertainment and instruction. This is pitt |
able. In view Of governments profit from |
the land taken from their race, it is mean |
not to do all that is required 10 render cue |
cessfuI the Hampton Institute experiment. |
For many years agents, officials and soldiers |
have been kept and paid to attend to the |
Indians, and to shoot them when intolerable |
wrongs from unprincipled and rapacious
white men provoked retaliation and resist |
ance All this expensive system has result
ed in no good to the Indians, and has brought |
only an evil reputation upon our Indian sys-
tenn, while it is disgraceful to US as Chris
tian nation. The Hampton experiment |
opens up new way of civilizing the Indian,
by bringing some of themselves into the part
of the country inhabited by the whites; sur
rounding them with the appliances, the re-
6nemeni, and the general influences of civ
ilization; accustoming them 10 the
ordinary ways of life that pre-
vail among white people; bringing
them where the power of enlightened self
control can be gained; arousing their minds
to: the fact that there is something in life