Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1888-04-21
INDIAN SCHOOLS.

Some time ago a body OF preachers
sent q protest TO the president against the
exclusion of the Indian language in the
Indian schools. 1t was urged as a reason
why this should not be done that it would
be difficult to give them religious instruc-
ton in the English language, and that it
would cause the Dakota Bible to be 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 perpetuating the
Indian language in the schools the
preachers do not say.
II the Indians are 10 be civilized and
admitted to the rights Of citizenship,
their habits OF life and their tribal re!a-
lions must be changed and broken up.
This is the object of the schools. 1t is
well known that language is a powerful
aid 70 progress in civilization. The
preachers say "the heart Of the Indian is
in his language" 1t is for this reason
that his language should be abandoned in
pablo teaching. He must be made to
use the language Of civilization il he is TO
be civilized. While he retain. his Ian
guage he will retain his barbarity.
If the Indian Is to be made "a citizen he
must know the language in which the
constitution and laws Of his country are
written. He must learn the language that
viii fit him for the business affairs Of life,
il he is TO earn his own living and cease
10 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 10 make
himself understood in the community in
which he must live. The government
schools for Indians arc not SUNDAY
schools; they have not been created to do
missionary work. They have been in
stituted to ct tho Indians for practical
duties. II he is to be changed from a
barbarian into . citizen he must under
derstand the language OF the country
While he speaks q barbarous language he
will remain . barbarian.
The preachers are doubtless moved. by
good intentions. Their interest ia the
welfare Of the Indians is not
questioned. That they have not
given tie subject Of Indian educa.
more than a cursory thought may be be
ieved or they would not insist upon a
change Of the rules of the schools. They
are moved by Il theoretical rather than by
a practical view. Nor il heperpetuation
of the Indian verracular the best way to
chri5iianizc the race. So long as the
Indian adheres 80 his native tongue he
will cling 10 his bGrharous traditions, ~
either case the preachers make a mistake
in urgisg upon the president = change Of
the school rules. Mr.. Cleveland c0ur-
teously Informed them there would be
no abandonment of the rules. This
will perhaps end all attempts at
ecclesiastical dictation rs 10 The manner
i'm which Indian education ought to be
conducted. Every good and patriotic
citizen OF the country will commend the
president for his insistance upon the
teaching of the English language in the
Indian schools. After the indians have
learned English it will be time for them
to choose their denominational associa
tons.