Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1885-12-05


duty and slcthfuily neglecgs all opportunity
Co advance thtir moral and physical inn
proysment aud fsils 10 inspire them with q
desire for better things viii accomplish moth
ing in the direction OF their civilization.
while he who feels the burslen of an inapor-
tant trust aud has an interest in his work
viii, By consistent example, firm, vet con-
sidsraEe treatment and wsli-directsd aid and
encouragement, constantly lead those under
bis charge toward the light Of their enfran-
ehisement.
WORK OF THn MISSIONARY.
The history of al the progress which has
Dean made in civilization of the Indians.
tninK, VIII disclose the fact that the begin
ping nas been religious teaching, followed
ny accompanying secular education.
" nile the seif-saeriicing and pious
men aud women who have
aided In this good work by their independ-
ent endeavors, have for their reward the
cenencent results OF their labor and the con-
sciousness OF Christian duty well performed.
Iheir valuable services should be fully ac-
knowiedged by all who under the la w are
charged With the control and management
or our Indian wards.
Nhat has been said indicates that in the
present condition of the Indians no attempt
should De made to apply hxed and unyield-
ing plan of action TO their varied and Vary
ing needs and circumstances. The Indian
Bureau, burdened as it is with their general
oversight and with the details of the estah-
lishment, can hardly possess itself of the
minute particulars. cases needing treat
ment, and thus the propristy of Great
ing an fundamentally auxiliary to
those already established for the
care or the Indians suggests itself.
COMMISSION RECOMMENDED.
! recommend the passage Of law author-
izing tho appointment OF six commissioners.
three of whom shall be detailed from the
army, to be charged with the duty OF care
fui inspection from time to time of all the
Indians upon cur reservations, or subject to
Lhs care and control of Government with a
view Of discovering their exact condition and
needs, and determining what steps shall be
taken ON behalf of the Governments 20 i'm
prove their situation in the direction of
their seIf-supporC and complete civilization;
that they ascertain from such inspection
what, II any, of the reservations may be re-
duced IN area, and ia SUCH cases what part,
not needed for Indian occupation, may be
purchased by the Government from the In
dams and disposed of for their benefit.
What, if any, Indians may, with their con-
sent. be removed to other reservations
with view of their concentration,
and the same on their behalf of their
abandoned reservations; what Indian lands
now held in common should be allotted in
severalty, in what manner and TO what ex-
tent the Indians upon the reservations can
be placed under the protection OK our laws
and subject to their penalties; and which, If
any, Indians should be invested with the
right of citizenship. The powers and func-
tions of the Commissioners in regard to
these subjects should be clearly defined,
though they should, in conjunction with the
Secretary OF the Interior, be given all the
authority TO deal definitely with the ques-
tons presented deemed safe and consistent.
They should advise with the Secretary OF
the Interior concerning these matters of de-
tail IN management, and he should be given
power to deal WITH them fully il he is not
now Invested with such power. This plan
eontemplatss the selection OF persens for
commissioners who are interested in the In
dian question, and who have practical ideas
on the subject OF their treatment.
The expense of the Indian Bureau during
the last fiscal year was more than six and
half million dollars. l believe much Of this
expenditure may be saved under the plan
proposed, that its economical effects
would be increased with its eontinu-
ance,. that the safety Of our
frontier settlers would be subseryed
under It's operation, and that the nation
would be saved through its results from the
imputation of inhumanity, injustice and
mismanagement. In order TO carry ont the
policy of allotment Of Indian lands IN
scverolty when deemed expedient, it
Will be necessary to have surveys COM
pleted OF the reservations, and I
hope that provisions viii be made
In May Of the present ysAr small portion
OF the Chiricahue Apsehes on tine White
Mountain reservation in Arizona left the
reservation and committed . number of
murders apd deprsdations upon settlers in
that nsighborhoed. Though prompt
military, the renegiers eludsd cap
ture and escaped into Mexico. The
formation OF the country through
which these Indians passed. their thorough
acquaintance with the same, the speed of
their escape and the manner in which they
scattered and concealed themselves among
the mountains near the scene of their out
RACES and put our soldiers at great disad-
vantage ia their efforts to capture them,
though the expectation ia still entertained
that they will be ultimately taken and pun
ished for their crimes.
THE CATTLE BARoNs,
The threatening and disorderly conduct OF
the Chsyennes of the Indian Territory early
last summer caused considerable alarm and
uneasiness. Investigation proved that their
threatening attitude was due in greas
measure TO the occupation Of ths land OF
their reservation by immense herds OF cattle
which their owners claimed were rightfnily
there under certain leases made by the In
dams.
This action alarmed the Sioux Indiana.
who claimed the territory as belonging TO
their reservation under the treaty of 1868.
The claim was determined, after careful in
vestigation, TO be well founded, and, conse-
quently, the Executive order referred to
was Dy pfOCIauAttOu Oh ApTu ~, 1850, de-
clared to be imperative and of no effect,
and all persons upon the law were
warned TO leave. THIS warning has been
Substantially complied with.
The public domain had its origin in cessions
of land by the States TO the General Govern
ment. The first cesston was mace by the
State of New York, and The largest, which
exceeded III ares ali the others, BY tbs State
OF Virginia. The territory, the proprietor
ship of which became thus vested in the Gem
eral Government, extended from the west
eru line OF Pennsylvania to the Mississippi
river. These patriotic donations of Toe
States were encum bered with no condition
except that they should be held and used Ffor
the common benefit Of tie United States -
By purchase with The common fund of all
the people additions were made to this de-
main until IL extended TO the northern line
of Mexico, the Pacific ocean and the Polar
sea. The original trust ".or the common
benefit of the United States attached TO ali:
in the execution OF that trust the policy of
Macy homes, rather than large estates, was
adopted by the Government, That thsss
might be easily obtained and be tue abode OF
security and coatentmen5, the laws for the
acquisition were few, easily understood and
general ia their character.
LAWS SHOULD PROTECT ALL ALIKE.
But the presence of local interests. COM
bine6 with = speculative spirit, have In many
instances procured the passage of laws which
married the harmony of the general plan
anu epcumbeFed the system with multitude
OF general and special enactments which
render the land laws complicated, sub
1ec5 the titles to uncertainty end the
purchasers often TO oppression and wroux.
Laws which We're intended for the
common benefit" have heen perverted
so that large Quantities OF land are vestiged
In single ownership. From the nuitituue
and of the law th5R cansaouanoa