Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-02-15

evident that much has been done, and
equally certain that much remains to be
done.
The Indian of to-day is a long way in
advance on the road Of progress Of the In,
dian Of ten years ago, and a long distance
behind the point which he must reach be-
fore he can take rank with the better class
Of our citizens. Issy the better class, be-
cause l think he is now, and always has
been, far ahead of q certain class Of white
men, whose business it has been to cheat,
degrade and demoralize him.
The government is beginning to treat
the Indian as If he was eventually to occu,
Ply a respectable position in the common
family of humanity. l say beginning:
only q few years ago, the Government was
furnishing the Indians with q red and yel'
low paint, to make them look like wild
savages instead of decent, orderly citizens,
and was also furnishing them with sralping
knives by thousands that they might cul,
tivate their savage taste for scalping enc
mics both red and white, and with whisky,
brandy and other intoxicating liquors,
the tendency Of which was to brutalize
and intensity their evil tendencies.
ut is o cheering fact that these things
belong 10 the history of the past"
THE Legal Rights Of the Indians and
How They are to be Protected" was an
other topic, opened by Professor Thayer OF
the Law School o. Harvard University.
Some extracts from his address would be
most interesting and instru ctiSe a. giving
the force and fleet of the Dawes Bill and
offering suggestions as to carrying out its
provisions so 3 best to help the Indians,
but We have not space.
Tie Conference appointed committees:
To visit the President, to gather informa-
ton, and also, Ga the language Question,
On New York State Reservations, and On
Legal Measures.
The Conference adjourned, after ad-
dresses thanking Mr.. and Mrs. Smiley for
their hospitality, and recognizing their
eminent services to the cause Of the Indian,
by singing Coronation.
From the final report of the Business
Committee WI take the following:
ave congratulate the country on the
notable progress toward a final solution OF
the Indian problem which has been made
during the past year. The passage of the
Dawes bill closesN1e Century OF DishOu'
or" it makes il possible for the people OF
America to initiate a chapter Of national
honor in the century to ONE IL offers
the Indians homes, the first condition Of
civilization; p~rofl4rs them the protection
of the lIws; opens to them the door OF
citizenship. W. congratulate the country
on the public sentiment which has made
49,. In -oa,sl1, -, Sha mt rH TpnUraGa
responding promptly to the sentiment al!
too handily aroused, and the action of the
Executive welcoming the bill and the pI-
ICY which il ~inaugurates, initiating the eX-
eCutiOu oil its provisions in a inst ard
humane spirit, and pledges its co-opera-
ton with philanthropic and Christian So
c'et:es in the endeavOr TO prepare the In
dian for the charge which this bill both
I con.emp!a'es and neceSsitates.
The Dawes hill has not solved the ln-
dian problem. II has only created an OPP
porsuuity for its solution. The acceptance
OF allotment and citizenship by al! In
dams on United States reservations must
be Z matter of several years time, gradu'
ally e~xtinguishlag the agency sys'
TEN, but requiring II consequence
increased facilities for the admin
| is.-atiou Of local ~jastice, both civil and
| criminal, and methods Ct governmental
| supervision aud protection during the tran
/ sitiou period wholly free from partisan
/ control. Surrounded rs the Indian is nv
those wen have little sympathy with hia
in his ignorance, we are persuaded that
/ further legislation will be required Il
guard him 10 his rights, and to prevent hi
uew liberty and opportunity from bes1m'
log q curse instead Of a blessing. The
method is yet to be determined. Tit
necessity i, a constant fact.
"While the Dawes bill will chang the
Indians legal and political status IL will
not change his character. The child mus
be,one a man the ludian must become al
American; the Pagan must be n new
created Christian His Irrational aaC
superstitiOus dread Of imaginary gods mus
/ he transformed into q love for the All
Father: h:S natural and traditional hatreC
OF the pale-tJce into a faith ia Christian
h.otherLo, d; his uurelsouing adherence I,
the dead last iLtp 81 inspiring hope in
great AMI glad futcre. 10 HIS case ieiig
iaus education must pTecede AMI prepart
fIr secular education. tine Gospel lor civ
il:zltioa, The story Of Gods love for tn,
era in which tn spear shall be beaten int,
a pru.iHg-hook and the sword into {
plougAshare. This - the work Of Gu
Christian Churches; Oh them the new er.
lays new and grave dutie1, because be'or,
th.m it opens new and larger opportuui
ties
". Va. WoMAN'S INDIAN ASSOCIATION.