Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1886-04-08
INDIAN CIVILIZATION.

ANOAAIN Va v NAAaA1A4 4AONs
EDITOR OF INDIAN CHIEFrAIN:-
What was tho main springs of
Cherokee civilization 1st, The
circumscribing of their territorial
domain; 2nd, localization; 3rd,
necessity of agriculture, and
pastoral pursuits, instead of the
chase, as a means of subsistence;
4th, the introduction of ideas of
property in things of sale and
barter; 9Th, from the savage to a
civilized life. The civilization of
the Creeks, Choctaws, Chickasaws
and Scminoles in all its leading
features are the same.
In this sketch, we have found
the underlying principle, and the
essential cause which led to success.
We cannot be in error as to the
ultimate result. The principle
was applied only by accident, and
then in its most feeble form. In
obedience to the dictates of this
history, l would plead with the
federal government for q similar
application among the wild tribes,
based upon the same principle
with this addition: All license
traders among Indians should not
be allowed to sell trinkets, viz: such
as beads, paints, red.oil calico,
cloth for making leggins, breech-
clouts, etc. Selling such goods to
the uncivilized Indians is an en-
couragement in their barbarous
habits and customs.
If the FIVE nations have
marched up the rugged steps of
civilization, under such adverse
conditions, surely twenty years
devoted specifically to Indian ad-
vancement will place the last In
dian on the continent out Of reach
of governmental guardianship, and
if this be true, there is no other
logical sequence than that it is
cheaper in definite results. OF the
100000 Indians in the United
States in 1877, 10000 were abso-
lutely self supporting; $1,000 were
absolutely dependent; $4,000 par
tally dependent, and $4,000 who
were not controlled by the govern
ment. 1t will be seen by the
number subsisted in whole and in
part for the year-120,000 at an
aggregate cost of go, ,446, 900, which
is about $40 per head-that they
are fast approaching condition Of
self support, and remember this
has been nearly fourteen years ago.
Let us assume that it is to cost
s., 100000 annually for the next
FIVE years, but think it is safe to
say that at the end Of that time the
81, 900 dependents can be made
self supporting, and gradual de-
crease in the expense Of the Indian
service thenceforth.
Our Indians are divided into,
civilized 81, 600; semi-civilised 125,-
600; wholly barbarous 5000. If
these figures are correct the prob
lem ought not TO be difficult or ex-
pensive. If $1,000 are civilized,
1875, 600 over half-civilized, and but
5000 wholly barbarous, it seems
to me a proposition that ought not
to alarm, either as to the expense
of the enterprise or the probabili-
ties of success. Notice carefully
the last link in this tabular state
ment, that the 81, 900 civilized In
dians may be placed in position
of individual independence, armed
with personal rights, thus reducing
the numbers and consequently the
expense of the Indian service.
Why not place the enlight-
ened Indian in a position
OF sovereign individual independ-
ence, thus gradually reducing the
number, and in like manner the
expenditure Of the Indian service2
Thus the fact stands out clear, well
defined and indisputable, that In
dians, not only as individuals, but
as tribes, are capable Of civilization
and Christianization. / have given
you in detail, the history Of grand
Transformation, from the widest
sayagery" to a glorious harvest Of
intelligence and Christian ciyiliza-
tion. We are bold 10 assert and
affirm, that with proper appliances
as suggested, twenty years hence
the Indian department can be num-