The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-04-22
A POSSIBLE SOLUTION.

Among the many problems" that have
been vexing American statesmen, philan-
thropists. journalists, and the general pub
lie, the Indian problem" has ranked high
in point Of sentimental interest, and lat
terry has assumed great economic import
ance in connection with the opening up and
settling OF vast areas in the interior Of the
continent. The old idea-maWkishly SEN
timental-that the Indians Is original oc-
cupants Of the country have claim to terri
tory disproportionate to their numbers
and obstructive to the march of civiliza-
ton, has few adherents. and has been pretty
sf5ectually exploded.
Nevertheless. the feeling Is pretty general
that the Indians are entitled TO generous
treatment, and that something more than
the demands Of common hum anity il due
TO them ct the hands of our government
and people. It is felt that at some pains
and sacrifice We should develop whatever
there Is of good and capacity for usefulness
in these wards of the nation, and apply
every available means to an effort for con-
verting them into useful, self-supporting,
respected, and sslf-respecting citizens, with
ample provision for their comfort and we'll
being during their period OF preparation
for the highest destin ny they are competent
to achieve.
The policy Of alioting tc them lands in
severaity. and General Morgan's scheme
for improving and extending their educa-
tional facilities. are steps in the right direc-
ton and calculated to promote benefcent
results, but If the recent suggestion Of Sec
rotary Proctor, OF the War Department, is
carried out. and couple of regiments of
these people are enlisted into the regular
army. it viii probably prove to be one of
the most effective steps toward the rapid
solution Of the Indian problem.
1t Is beyond question that the life of
soldier will be much more congenial TO the
average Indian than that of . farmer,
steady application to manual labor, to the
prosecution OF trade or to mercantile or
any other employment that would involve
close confinement That they would make
brave and active soldiers, with extraordi-
nary powers of endurance, both as to
physical fatigue and irregulsrity OF rations.
goes without saying There are reasons
for believing that in all of these respects
the Indian will make . model recruit
for the regular army, and that for long
marches and scouting service he will be
found prominently valuable.
The chief fear is that the indians will
not be readily amenable to the rigorous
discipline that prevails in the regular army.
This fear is probably groundless. There is
no feeling moro firmly imbeded in the breast
of the average Indian than IL his hereditary
reverence for the chief of his tribe, his COM
mander. In obedience to this he will take
any reckless risk and will endure even to
the point of torture. With this and his
pride in the possession of choice weapons
and bright uniform there should be slight
difficulty about subjecting him to reason
able discipline. The success of the expert
ment will mainly depend upon the selection
OF officers. If these are men of good judg-
ment, tact and humane impulses success is
certain. In this case the two regiments
will soon be multiplied until the army will
make room for all the more active. restless
and more adventurous of the Indians and
the problem will have found happy solu-
ton. highly beneficial to all concerned.