The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-10-09
Specia1 Contributors.
THE INDIAN QUESTION-THE MIS-
SION INDIANS.
BY Mrs. o. j. HILEs.
Milwaukee, Wis.,


1t is well to discuss the history of the
Indians, since the settlement of Amer
lea by the whites, from general stand
point, making general assertions, and
proving general positions it is better
for any interest that may be brought to
center upon the subject, to particular
iZe, and from individual cases draw
general conclusions. We might study,
abstractly, 1.-THE sins of the world for
lifetime, but we should not consider
with adetelminatiCn for their removal,
"those which so easily beset us,' un-
less we brought our knowledge to bear
upon ourselves, as individuals. In like
manner, if we inquire into the oppTes
sion, fraud, treachery, and injustice
that have been inflicted upon one tribe
of Indians, or upon the different tribes
of one section, we shall be able better
to understand what is meant when
these terms are applied to the treat
ment of the Indians in general. If we
take, for instance, the Mission Indians
of California, we shall find that their
history differs materially from the his
tory of any tribe east of the Rocky
Mountains but we shall find, also,
: that the difference lies, not so much in
the quality and quantity Of tie suffer
ings Inflicted and endured, as in the
difference of nature between the Indi-
ans of the Eastern and Western slopes.
Although for many years they were
treated with Christian kindness and
consideration, that did not set them
apart as having had special, or, in con-
nection with their subsequent hard
ships, more trying experiences. The
Justice of Penn and his associates, as
to its immediate results, may be COM
pared to the Christian foTbearance of
the Mission Fathers; and its effects
in rendering the recipients more sus-
ceptible to the wrongs afterwaTd III
Aicted, may be equally compared. In
following. then, the history Of the Mis-
sion Indians of California, we may feel
assured that could as definite informa-
tion concerning all the other tribes be
obtained, it would be found that Cali
fornia can claim no monopoly of skill IN
means devised for Kidding herself of the
"savages. In every other instance the
measure of injustice has been heaped,
and running over.
hires, the king of Spain having pre-
viously given the missions and property
of the Jesuit missionaries in Lower
California, to the Franciscan order-the
Viceroy of Mexico determined, if possi-
BILE, to settle and civilize the upper
province. Accordingly, and in further
ance of this project, he appointed the
Padre Junipero, missionary president
of Upper California, giving him sixteen
friars to aid him in his work. Soldiers,
for protection from the Indians, accom-
panied the expedition. They who sur
vived the long passage, reached San
Diego on the first of July, 1853. Eff
teen days afterward, at an Indian town
called Cosoy, four miles from San Diego,
Father Junipero and two of his associ-
ates laid the foundation of the first
mission building. At this, as after
ward, at all of the principal missions,
Notifications, called "Presidios, " were
constructed; the Presidio was first erect
ed for the soldiers then, without de-
lay. the foundation of the church was
laid, and the work of gathering the In
dians at once entered upon. The COM
ing of the Fathers to these untaught
children of the mountains was mo-
mentOus event which they still de-
scribe in their own simple way. 1t
formed an epoch, whose effect should
reach all future generations. Hereto
fore they had travelled in a straight line;
but this furnished a turning point Of
direction, around which their steps
could never be retraced. The life in
the missions is one Of their cherished
traditions, made luminous by the light
of Christ which had first reached them
when within their holy precincts. Ira
dition is more vital than history the
traditions Of people penetrate the life;
the history Of a nation stimulates the
intellect.
The simplicity Of the Fathers, was,
to the Indians, the force of conviction
,'When the Indians come to US, f" says