Daily Yellowstone journal., 1889-01-17
A Practical Suggestion
By Commissioner oberly forciv-
ilzlng the Indians-Gov. Les
lies Legislative Message.
Recommendations for Needed
Legislation-A Disciple of the
Australian Voting System.
Hot Water at Vancouver and a
Brutal Wife Beatsr at Nash
ville-Press Comments.
CIyILIZISG THE SAVAGE.
How oberly Would Bring the Red Man In
Line,

How Oberly Would Bring the Red Man Ia
Line.
Washington Telegram: John II.
Oberly, commissioner of Indian af-
fairs, has submitted 10 the secretary OF
the interior the report OF the opera
tons of bis bureau for the year ended
June 30, 1858. Among other things
he ssys: II have no doubt that TN
der the favorable conditions of an In.
dian service In which the evils of
what is known as the party spoils sys.
tenn of appointment aud dismissal
would be miuimized. and in which In.
telligent and jealous action might
confidently anticipate the support Of
the government; in which, too. devo-
ton and efficiency might labor as
sured Of the applause Of the people,
and honest administration be Its per
feet work promptly on all occasions,
without rebuke or fear OF persecution,
the Indian question. In all lie perplex-
ing features, might be transmitted
from demoralizing political question
into not dangerous social question.
Indeed, 1t may be declared, without
the use Of qualifying phrases, that un-
der the favorable conditions suggested
the Indian would receive our civiliza-
tion with all that 1t implies Of social
duty and Of public obligation. This 1.
said In full knowledge OF the many
futile attempts that have been made
by Jealous, able men and women. by
the churches and by the government
to lead the Indian out OF bsrbarism.
The Indian has indeed begun to
with the changing timer. He
Is commencing 10 appreciate the fsct
that he must become civilized-must,
as he expresses II, learn the white
mans way or perish from the face Of
the earth. He should be taught how
to work, and all the schools that are
opened for his children should be
schools In which they will be in
structed In the use Of agricultural i'm
plements, the carpenters saw and |
plane. the stonemason's trowel, the
tailor's needle and the shoemaker's |
awl. And the Indian should be
taught not only how 10 work, but also
that 1t is his duty to work; for the de-
grading communism Of the tribal res.
ervation system gives TO the individ-
ual no incentive TO labor. and puts q
premium upon idleness that makes IL
fashionable. Under this system the
LATEST man owns Ms mu,h as the most
industrious man. and neither can say |
Of all the acres occupied by the tribe.
This is NINE" The Indian must,
be taught how to labor, and
that labor may be made necessary TO
his well being; he must he taken out Of
the reservation through the door OF
the general allotment act. And be
must be imbued with the exslting
egotism of American civilization, 30
that he will say II instead OF we,
and this Is mine instead Of this is
ours.' But II he will not learn /? III
he shall persist In saying, Il am con.
tent, let me alone? Then the guard
ian must act for the ward, and do for
him the good service be protests shall
not be done-the good service that hs
dsnounces ~ bad service. The gov
ernment must then. In duty to the
public, compel the Indian 10 come out
Of his isolation into the civilized way
that he doss not desire TO entsr-Into
citixspship-Into assimilation with
the masses Of the republic-into che
path Of national duty; and In passing
along that path he will find not only
pleasure In psrsonal indepspd sucs
and delight in individual effort In his
own interest. but also the consumma-
tion Of that patriotic enjoyment which
b found In the exercise Of the hieh
privilege Of contributing 10 the gen
sral welfare"