Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1883-12-04
INDIAN AFFAIRS.

Indian AfEAlhS.
The report of the commissioner of In.
dian affairs shows that there has been
very considerable improvement among
the various Indian tribes, with but little
and but one outbreak, and
that among the Apaches of Arizona. 1t
is believed that it ls quite possible, with
a wise aud judlcious treatment of the In
dian question, to prevent the recurrence
of hostilities between the Indian and his
white neighbors that have marked near
ly every year of our history. The Indian
can no longer hide himself in the fast
ness Of the mountains or liz the solitude
of the wilderness. Contact has come
between the settler and the Indian III ali
parts of the country. Civilization and
savagery cannot dwell together; the In.
dian cannot maintaln himself in savage
or semi civilized state i'll competition
with his white neighbor, and he must
adopt the white mans ways" OF be
swept away by the vices of savage life,
intensified by contact with civilization.
Humanity revolts at the idea of his de
stluction, yet 1t is far better that he
should disappear from the lace OF the
earth than that he should remain in his
savage state to contaminate and curse
those with whom he must necessarily
come in contact in the future.
1t has been demonstrated that the In
dian is capable of advancement, although
be has not reached high state of clvili-
zatlon, except in q few individual cases.
The progress of the Indians of the In.
dian Territory and New York, as we'll as
some other sections, not only demon
strates his capability, but also affords
convincing proof that the race is not to
die out, but has the inherent strength to
MAINTAIN itself, even under quite unfa.
vorable circumstances, and that with in
telligent assistance from the government
1t may become self-supporting.
Ii the Indian is to become civilized
being it must be by the aid of the govern.
ment, intelligently directed; and one of
the first steps to be taken is to tx the
Indian in permanent home. Civiliza-
ton will come slowly, if it comes at all,
10 those who wander about without fixed
homes, however we'll the government
the reservations should be reduced in
size commensurate with the wants of
| their occupants, and fee. simple title
the benefit of the members thereof, &C.
SoldAbto w AudtAu pOhtyS uutll SUCH tlHue
as the Indians themselves Shall choose
to devide it. The surplus lands OF such
reservations should be bought by the
government, and parceled out to actual
settlers only. The proceeds OF the lands
so sold should be used, not in providing
food only for the Indians, but in the
purchase of stock, farming implements,
and in the education of their youth.
! Whar fio India, 10 SroJ ,,,b b;e ,,l
| understands that he has title to his
one great source OF his discomfort will
| be gone.
The destruction OF game in the coun.
try renders it impossible for the Indian
to continue to support himself by the
fruits of the chase, and he mnst support
himself by labor or be supported by the
government. If supported by the gov.
ernment, he will be a pauper and vag
aoond. an expense to the nation and q
curse to the people among whom he may
dwell. His evil influence will be felt fal
beyond the neighborhood in which be
may live. He has no claims on the gov
ernment for support beyond the time
when he has acquired the ability to sup
port himself. If the government has
purchased his land, he should be pait
for it according to the contract, having
however, due regard to his interest. L
the system of annGities provided for ii
many of the treaties will keep him
savage pauper, payments should be mad
to HIM in such way as to save him from
such state. He will not advance il til
government supplies all his wants an.
demands nothing from him; and n,
greater injury can be done him than t.
supply his wants and allow him to liv
IN idleness. If allowed to continue i
idleuess, he will continue in vice an
} savagery. He must be taught to labo
and care for himself, by persuasion
possible, by compulsion if necessar,
The government should provide schoo!
tor his children, where they should b
taught the English language, and a
Kinds OF useful labor; and the attene
ance of oil children of school age shoul
oe required. If he chooses to be farm
er. be should receive suitable asslstane
, III the first instance, with the understand
ing that such assistance ls only temp,
rary ana must soon cease. If he prefel
to be stock raiser, as he will in mo-
cases, he should be furnished stock sui
e able to his wants, instructed to care t,
2 them, and then left to his own exertion
The manual labor schools should i
struct the male chilaren in labor on IL
, farm and IN the shops, and the femal
d in household affairs. Opportunities
I engage in such labor can be readi
found among the settlers on the bordG
OF the reservation.
y Laws should be enacted for his prote
Y tion, not, however. al bis dictation, b
such as enlightened philanthropy dete
mine for his benefit. He must not on
Il have the protection of law, but he mu
:, be subject to its provisions. The coul
- should be as free to him for the prot.
II tlon of his person or property as to |
r. white neighbors.
\. Ii he desires to abandon his tribal
!, iatiors and become citizen of t
I. United States, he should be allowed
id do SO, without the loss Of his interest
his tribal property.
Treaties impossible OF fulfillment,
y. contrary to the public interest, Shot
be modified or repealed; no mt
r. treaties should be made, or statutes {
acted according to agreements ma
r, with the Ipdian. II he has more ia
~ than he needs, he must surrender
,h excess. and it cannot be left to him
determine either the amount he ouG
to retain or the price he ought to
W ceire. He lie incapable of determini
ID such weiRhty questions; they should
Determined by the legislative branch