National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-01-22
DISCUSSING THE RED MAN.
The Annual Conference Among the
Friends of the Indians.

The annual conference of the board OF Indian
commissioners and the representatives of the
various missionary societies, Indian assocla-
tions, Sc, was held at the Riggs House yester.
day. Gen. Fisk presided and Rev. Sheldon
Jackson, d. D., was secretary. on motion DR..
Painter, of the Indian Rights Association; Rev.
DR., Streby secretary OF the American Mission
nry Association and DR.. Bland, of the Council
Fire, were appointed committe on resolutions.
This committee reported on the assembling of
the conference In the afternoon. Two reports
were submitted-a majority report by Dr. Pain
ter and DR.. Slreby, and minority report by
Dr. Bland. The pointSot difference were as to
how the lneians should be governed aud how
they should hold their lands.
The reports were both rejected, and a substl-
tute framed by President Page, of Rutgers Col.
lcge, and others was adopted, after DR.. Bland
had withdrawn his report in favor of the sub
stitute, This substitute declares in favor of
standing by the treaty rights Of the Indians
and eleyating them before dissolvlug their
tribal relations, and divi ling their lands in
severalty. Able speeches were made by Presi-
dent Page, Justice Strong, Judge Willard, Dr.
Bland, Dr. Painter and others
resolution against the bill of Congressman
Townshend of Illinois, to organize the Indian
territory into territory of the United States
was adopted unanimously,
Rev. DR., sunderland, OF the National indian
Defense Association, at the close of report
from that body, invited all the members ofthe
conference toa meeting in hi; church. to be
nNlu tNculuB, lllt NlsCu9alOlls WGlt GOu-
Quoted in admirable spirit, and the conference
was exceptionally harmonious.
AN INDIAN ENTERTAINMENT.
meeting was held at the Congregational
Church last evening, presided over by Gen.
Clinton B. Fisk. A number of prominent
speakers were introduced, and the Indian
boys and girls of whom there were about
score present from the Indian school at Car
Isle, Pa, helped to entertain tho audience by
speeches ,reCitations, and songs. DR.. NJ Strieby,
secretary of the American Missionary Associn-
tion, was the first speaker, and was followed
by Preston Gates, OF Rutgers College, who be-
lioyed the Indians should have permanent
holding of their lands in severalty. Tribal or
CARNATIONS should be broken uD, us they are
inimicable to the forming of homes, which
should be u great factor in Indian civilization
The reservation also Is means of increasing
be located among white farmers on alternate
sections
Boys from the Pueblo, Apache, Omaha, aud
Cheyenne tribes spoke in broken accents, but
with very great selfpOssession. The Apache
boy said that as intelligence aud industry
make man he wanted TO grow that way
Nearly oil the boys and girls had never spoken
English before entering the school at Carlisle.
The chorus sung by all of them, though a re-
llglous song, parIook in its general effect some.
what OF war song, which was noticed In all
the musical Efforts
Senator Chace, of Rhode Island, responded
TO an invitation 10 speak, and said some means
should be taken to prevent the white man
from getting the lands belonging to the In.
dians Public opinion must pre- -ede legislation.
Miss Fletcher, Gen Armstrong and Capt.
Plat each followed with interesting comments
on the Indian problem.