The Hot Springs star. (Hot Spings [Hot Springs], Dakota [Dakota Territory, i.e. S.D.]) 1886-189?, 1888-04-20
INDIAN SCHOOLS.

OOIuc tIllc uSO II UOUy OF preachers
sent y protest to the president against the
exclusion Of the Indian language in the
Indian schools. 1t was urged as II reason
why this should not be done that il would
be difficult to give them religious instruc-
ton in the English language, and that it
would cause the Dakota Bible to he dis
used. The president replied that the
scriptural readings at the opening of the
school sessions each day were in the In
dian tongue, but that no change would be
made in the teaching. just what benefit
could be derived from -p%erpetuating the
Indian language in the schools the
preachers do net say.
If the Indians are to be civilized and
admitted to the rights of citizenship.
their habits of life and their tribal rs.a-
tions must be changed and broken up.
This is the object of the schools. 1t is
well known that language is powerful
aid to progress in civilization. The
preachers say 1.-THE heart Of the Indian is
in his language" 1t is for this reason
that his language should be abandoned liz
pablo teaching. He must be made to
use the Language Of civilization if he is TO
be civilized. While he retains his Ian
guage he will retain his barbarity.
If the Indian is to be made u citizen he
must know the language in which the
constitution and laws of his country are
written. He must learn the language that
will fit himfor the business affairs Of life,
If he is to earn his own living and cease
to be the ward of the nation. He would
be but poorly equipped to discharge
the duties of citizenship, or to sus-
tain himself if he were converted 10
Christianity without the ability to make
himself understood in the community in
which he must live. The government
schools for Indians are not Sunday
schools; they have not been created to do
missionary work. They have been in
stitutcd to fit the Indians for practical
duties. If he is TO be changed from Il
barbarian into u citizen he must under.
derstand the language of the country.
While he speaks a barbarous language he
will remain a barbarian.
The preachers are doubtless moved by
good intentions. Their interest in til,
welfare of the Indians is moi
questioned. That they have moi
given the subject of Indian educa.
more than a cursory thought may be be.
ievcd Or they would not insist upon 4
change of the rules of the schools. They
are moved by a theoretical rather thanby
a practical view. Nor is the perpctuatior
of the Indian v%ernacular the best way te
christianize the race. So long rs the
Indian adheres to his native tongue hi
will cling to his barbarous traditions. II
either case the preachers make a mistak.
in nrgiag upon the president a change O.
the school rules. Mr.. Cleveland cour
tcously informed them there would b,
no abandonment of the rules. Tli
will perhaps end all attempts n
ecclesiastical dictation as to the manne,
in which Indian education ought to b,
conducted. Every good and patriot,
citizen of the country will commend tn,
president for his insistance upon til,
teaching of the English language in th,
Indian schools. After the indians hav.
learned English 1t will be time for then
to choose their UNCONVENTIONAL associa
| tiona.