New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-11-13
while Hill is Governor, nor while the uho Oh
politics he represents is allowed to prevail
INDIAN REFORMS


Commissioner Morgan, of the inolan Du-
reau has made n definition OF MS P"iPosoS
which will be received by the people Oh 'ne
far Western States and territories, anu ID! al
who have an intelligent conception oil inc IN
dams needs with profound sausiactioh' VIC
had almost said gratitude, for our lnd'an pohcy
has been so long shaped after lines that are
both absurd and ruinous based upon MISTAKEN
notions of duty and philanthropy, that res On
nav well elicit for those who eStaohsh IL seha-
,,onts Of grateful regard. There are serious
droronces Of opinion Us to the Indians ability
~ become civilized lie differs essentially
from most sayages in the strength az well as in
tho weakness of his mental organization. lie
;s q creature of intense will power, VIVID imag-
ination. vast self-cOnsciOusnesS ana prde. ana
n deeply settled dstrust of the white race.
These conditions render him deplorably OBJ
du1,te. In our dealings with him we nave
heen able to carry our point only by force or
by bribery. Even when our motives were most
uusefsh and our objects most benelicent and
orr methods most kindly he has closed UP every
avenue of approach except that Of cupidity.
No one who knows the Indian supposes that
be will ever be induced seriously to consider
the nroposition of becoming civilized creature
until it is drilled into his head that civilized
life will be profitable
His mental forces are now at work upon that
idea. and its effects are already percepnbe.
The tendency Of later legislation, and the In
Hucnce of those Agents who understand the
Indian character and who have been honest and
conscientious, have both worked in the dlrec-
ton of reform. As race the Indians have
gradually become Convinced that war against
the whites is futile The capture of that brave
and brilliant warrior Chief Joseph, whose per-
formances were wonders of military skill and
resource. together with the suppression OF the
Sioux Rebellion, has convinced the Indians that
they cannot maintain successful struggle
against the Great Father. Upon race of men
in whom is Unborn the all-cOntrOlling idea that
war is the chief end Of man, much has been
ACCOMPLISHED for good when they admit how
ever reluctantly, that they must keep the peace.
This enforced admission has naturally weak
ened their faith in their civilization" for, be
il well understood, they have a word in their
tongue which is the equivalent of our word
"civization,n and they are fond of en-
blowing it in contrasts indicating the SUI
periority of their institutions over ours. But
these contrasts have gradually become less and
less frequent and their more intimate observa-
ton of the white mans ways has led them to
desire the same rewards of labor in houses,
lands. horses and cattle which they perceive
him to be enjoying.
Unfortunately, the policy heretofore pursued
by the Government in recognizing the authority
of chiefs in dealing with the Indians az com
munity, in indulgng them in their savage pro-
pensities and in supporting them in idleness,
has sadly discouraged the development of these
better ideas. From every point of view, the
welfare and progress of the Indians, the de-
velopment of our Western country, and every
other, it is wrong and dangerous. Commits
eiOner Morgan knows this, and, better still, he
knows the proper policy to substitute. lie
proposes TO break up communism, the corner
stone of the Indian system, and by placing each
red man on his own farm to build up the notion
of individual responsibility. He proposes to
level chiefs and medicine-men, and to teach
the Indians that the law holds all men equal,
each the master of his own conduct. He pro-
poses straghtway to stop that wretched busi-
ness of supporting them in idleness, and to show
| them the necessity of taking care of themselves,
| task they are quite competent to perform.
Finally, he proposes to establish a thorough
system of compulsory education, modelled after
our public school system. These are precisely
the reforms recognized to bring about the natu-
raj and orderly absorption of the Indians into
our National life, and whether or not they prove
entirely successful they must result in great
and immediate moral and physical improve
ment of the race.