The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-12-09
MEMPHIS APPEAL.
THURsDAY, :, DEC. Q, 1Ss0.
THE PRESIDENT AND THE IN

DIAN.
The position Of the Indians that re-
man among US has become 80 anoms-
lous, that ref ction oaussa surprise
why, during our century Of national
existence, while our missionaries have
betn carrying religion and civilization
to distant landP, go little progress hes
been made toward elevating them
and fitting them for citizenship. In
bis message just laid bsiore Congress,
President Cleveland has very properly
called attention TO the 'Indian prob
LEM" He poinIs out that our present
Indian system IVES established when
the whites and the Indians were far
apart. The extension Of population
has brought the two into close prox-
unity, and the President calls upon
Congress to MAZE provision for the
state Of things as 1t exists today, Every
effort should have for its aim to fit the
Indians for citizenship, for "they ara
a portion Of our people, are under the
authority Of cur government,
and have a peculiar claim
upon us" The President there
fore recommends The appointment OF
committee, with the special object
Of Transforming the ignorant red man
iuto an intelligent, useful citiSen.
This the present agency system can
no accomplish, These people are now
submissive to our laws and show a
desire for education, and the means OF
education, and instruction in agricul-
ture and the use OF tools should DO
open to them. Some have already
been shrewd enough to obtain &C
qairements, and these now want to
receive their own motments of the
land belonging TO the tribe collect
lively, 30 that they may have their
own business and maintain indopend-
emily their households. Such an al
lotment oil land to individuals the law
does not permit. Provision should be
made by Congress for establishing the
progressive in their own homestoads,
with facilities for others to follow,
breaking away" Mr.. Cleveland
says, "from tribal customa and
substituting therefor the love Of
home, the interest Of the family, and
the rule of the State" The Indian,
instead Of being left to brood over his
wrongs, must be brought to see that
his welfare is cared for, provision made
for his advancement, and for giving
him the protection of law, aud with it
the rights and independence that
belong 10 manhood. In short, our
aim must be to fit the Indian to be-
c ne citisen, 10 have his aims, am
! ms aud hopes Of success like
o., men. While shut out and
desied the privileges OF the rest Of the
CO munity, he can never become the
bong he 10 capable OF becoming, a
creature having his own property, his
own stock of knowledge, and his own
independence as manly and indus
trious member OF the community.
Such are President Oleveland's ideas
and recommendation to Congress.
II ., they are wise and states
u alike, all who are versed in
tue "Indian problem" will allow;
tb0y are also beneticent and
Christian, and evidently come from
a heart whose sympathiel are not
bounded to the narrow confines Of
language, race or color. "The world
is my country, to do good my relig-
ion," are words that come from q
very unorthodox source, but they eE
press what lies at the foundation Of
President Cleveland's thoughtful and
humane recommendations 10 Con-
gresg as to what should be the future
Indian policy of tbs United States.