Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1883-01-19
FROM TAHLEQuAII.

FDfTons CHiEFrAiN..-Now that our
National Schools are suspended for the
winter vacation, it may be well to offer
few considerations on the aim and
capabilities Of our Educational Estab-
lishmcnts. And surely no question
can be Of greater moment than the
training Of our boys aud girls, and
amidst tho din and clattcr Of all that
has been said and repeated about the
wire fencing, the pasturagc and the
cattle west Of 967 we must not forget
that We have interests of far higher
order east Of 9jo, that schools are
more important than cow-0hods. aud
children better cattle. il is hard TO be-
lievc that the Cherokces realize the
magnitude Of the interests at stake in
the question Of the Public Schools. If
we may Judge from tho legislation Of
tho National Council IL would seem
that our Representatives az any rate
entertained no very exalted ideas OF
the dignity and transccndcnt impor-
lance OF Education.
According 10 tie docisioa Of the re-
cent Council, cGicicncr would be the
deadllest enemy ~ the. High schools
We will explain this statement clearly
A law has been po9ned BY which the
Principal Chiefs directed to close the
schools summarily IL the limit OF the
appropriation be reached. II must be
borno Ia mind that the appropriation
allows for no increase in the number
OF the students. The Council sup2osea
hat there will DO one hundred stu
dents at the Male Seminary, and IL ap-
propriates accordingly. Now should
the school win ito way 10 the confidence
and hearts Of the Nation by its efficient
teachi ng and satisfactory discipline,
fud should 4 hundred aud fifty stu
dents seek an education ia the only
National High School open TO them
ihe Principal Chief would have t
close the doors at about mid way
through the term. Let us take q par
alle' case by way OF illustration. w,
viii suppose that citizen of this VA
on had enclosed a large pasturag,
west OF 90, capable of raising tw,
thousand head of C.. tile. lie advertis
ed his pasiurage and invited cattl,
owners TO place their stock on his Ian,
at a moderate price. At the outset h,
recEoned on receiving not more thar
one thousand beasts, and he hire,
hands sufficient for that number. I,
his sstonishmcnt however things pros
pcred beyond anticipation, two thous
and COWS were driven into his enclos
ure, Instead however Of increasing hi
hands TO meet this unlocked for pros
perity he summqily closed the who'll
thing, dismissed his help, drove on
the cattle and thought he had done d.
smart thing aud died poor. Our read
ers will smile and think 10 triling, bu
do they not know tnat others Bnile al
rus and think that we trihc with ser.
ious things, when they see MS pas
such childish hippaat laws? How
many a sm,e siole across a Kansal
face. TO know that the Cherokee haC
made the continuation OF their High
Schools conditional upon their empti
moss, or at any rate upon their not
having ono-half tho number Of stu
deuts they could easily accommodate
The Nation viii never be tue to itsel
unlA it realizes that the glo'y OF il
present and hope OF its future lie il
The roughuess of tho education Of IL
children. The prosperity of ou
schools must be placed above th,
squabbles Of factious politicians. In
order that we may perform our shar,
in the work Of laying this vital ques
tioa before the Public, We propose 1,
submit series OF articles on the sub
ject Of Education.