National Republican., 1884-09-13

INTO good Indian without shooting himY
The industrial school answers tho ques-
tion. Here, unfettered by tho associa-
tions Of the old life, the boys and girls
may take tho first steps toward true
manhood aud womanhood; may grow
into something higher than nero outcasts
who dare not touch tho border Of tho gar
ment of civilization.
The barracks at Carlisle, built originally
Turing the revolution by Hessian pris-
oners, were used for many years before
and after tho civil war as training
school for United States soldiers. After
standing vacant for seven years they were
in October, 1879 turnedNover to the inte-
rior department TO be used as training
school for Indian youth. So this historic
spot has seen great changes. The doc
trine Of determination has given place to
that of peace, good will toward men."
One Of the strongest impressions made
on my mind as q child was the fear and
horror inspired by reading of the deeds
of treachery and cruelty committed by
Indians against unoffending whites. But
in maturer years have learned that this
question, as well as most others, has two
sides. On the part of the white man,
there is o long record of wrong and init
tice toward his red brother; and how can
we blame the untutored savage, smarting
under sense of outrage, for failing to
, discriminate between tho good and the
f bad. or for thinking that all are alike bad.
Let us hope that Gen. Crooks advice to
the West Point graduates may be needed {:
"Let tho Indian see that you administer
one law for both the white-skinnod and
the red-skinned; that you do this with
put regard for praise or Censure, and you
will gain his confidence because you have
shown yourselves worthy of it."
The hours we spent at the school were
full of interest. 1t Is hard to realize that
those Apache boys whose writing is so
clear and legible have been here but four
months. How pleased they look when
we commend them! There Is something
almost pathetic in the warmth and bright
ness which come into many of these
faces In response to kind words. About
eighty of the best scholars had been sent
away before our visit; but L think it
could not fail to surprise anyone who has
had experience in the school room to note
She degree of proficiency which those who
| remain have attained. If the children
whom / saw at the black board in certain
classes had been white instead of red,
should not have expected such uni
form excellence. Is that asking too
much of your credulity? Well, as one
of the boys writes to his father Come
see with your eyes" i confess that l
went there in sympathy with the work.
1t has for some time been one of my pet
Ideas that the best way to conquer the
Indian is to educate him. But since am
woman, and hence, according to the
Hon. b. +. Butler, not a person in the eyes
of the law (here l stand on common
ground with tho Indian), | set n very
modest estimate on my opinion. Know
ing, however, that men who have been
thought worthy to speak in national
councils here, by visit to this place,
been converted from the bitterness of the
shooting theory to faith in tho practical
working and benefcent results Of Capt.
Pratts plan, / feel strong in the courage
of my convictions.
A letter was shown mo which had just
been written by q boy of Ia, Pueblo,
who was under instruction at one Of the
agency schools for eight months preced-
ing the three years which he has Spent
here. The Pueblos have, instead of a
chief, governor, whom they elect
yearly, and when this boy came to the
school his father held the office. In
beauty of penmanship and in sound
common sense the letter would do credit
to a white boy of superior years and ad-
his father concerning the education OF
his people, and ends in this way: "Do
not look back to your past life. but look
ahead and be something and somebody,
and not always in Ignorance. Get out OF
1t as soon as you can" Not only by
words like these which they send to the
friends at home, but by their eager i'm.
provement Of the advantages given them
do these boys and girls prove the wisdom
Of the plan.
In the laundry and kitchen the girl;
pssist and the sewing room garments cut
and made by themselves, attest theiI
skill. The boys learn printing, black
smithing, wagon making, painting, shoe
making, tailoring, farming, the max
ing of tin ware, &c. A great
many goods of their manufacture are
shipped to the agencies. In 1888 harnes.
to the value of "a ,620 was disposed of in
this way. In the tailoring department
the boys decline to sit ~ tailors usually
do, but rest on tho edge of the bench with
their feet on the floor. 1t does not seen
to interfere, however, with the success Of
their work.
The pupils are forbidden to talk Indian
and are required to report every Satur.
day. As reward for obedience to thi,
rule the restriction was removed for
week. The report showed that only somt
of the larger ones had availed themselves
of permission to talk in their own Ian
guage. Those little boys who had beer
here but few months stuck manfully t,
the English. If wo had no home will
Ahappy associations, no country to inspir,
our patriotism, should we in a strange
land cling to our native tongue. or b,
eager to adopt that of the people VIII,
showed us unwonted kindness?
,,pty nf In Ia, hn,y nta;, l,.. 4.
TO woman That Is what some of thost
little fellows did as they passed US ol
their way from dinner, and we were tolc
"they are glad Of an opportunity to do il. ,
1t IN only straw? But you know tn,
adage, and the wind is blowing toward
civilization A trine? How triles toucl
one sometimes These are the children
of race whose women have borne thu
burdens and have done the work which
was beneath the dignity of their lords
Yes. these boys are becoming civilized
They will probably outgrow their inher-
tied ideas of wOman's inferiority. Ever
the men of our own race are gradually
discarding this antiquated notion, ant
I'VE may yet see the day when not only al
Indian but u woman shall L9 person in
she eyes of the law
The Indian girl who was to return witt
one of our party for tho summer came
toward US across tho campus accompanied
by some Of her friends who were carrying
her luggage. "How soon they learn oul
ways" said one. Those who have beer
here for a longeror shorter time are very
attentive to strangers, helping them in
every way possible until they become
used to the new life Let me quote from
the letter of a boy writing of another VIII
has come to the same form "Eo looks .
little lonesome to-day, but think il will
soon wear away as l am here to comfor
him all can"