New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-07-04
THE UTE REMOVAL SCHEME.
40 PROGRESS TOWARD CIVILIZATION THUS TO
BE MADE.

TO the Editor OF The Tribune
sir " has been urged rs an argument In favor Of tho
removal OF the lte Indians from Colorado 10 ttah that
such removal would make them neighlors OF the
Navaos by which they would be Induced 10 adopt tho
habits 81 these Indians aud make more rapid progress
than they are likely To do upon their present reserva-
ton. This argument rests upon tho assumption that
tho Navalos are progressive and civilized people but
what are tho facts 81 the easel have inst returned
frUm visit 10 the Navalos Of months duration. dur
Ing which have travelled 900 miles Of territory
and moreover this is my Thrill visit 10 these people
since 1883 | am therefore more familiar with their
condition and prospects. II is fair TO assume than
those who have advanced the argument In question.
The Navajos arc not civilized people They have no
knowledge Of the English language. have they had
any opportunities 90 receive instruction In civilized pur
suits. Under the care Of an excellent agent who had
only been with them two years, they arc now only TAX
Ing the first steps toward way OF living II is true
that they self supporting through the possession Of
large nocks Of sheep and goats. and that they In
dependent Of Government support. II i also irnc that
This method af living they have been accustomed IL
for AT least century past But 1t should be observed
that the NavajoS must greatly modify all their present
conditions Of living before they he brought into
easy relationship with civilized communities While
they the whole well disposed people, In their
supcrsttonS. their Indian dress their nomadic habits,
their rude houses built Of boughs which they abandon
should a death occur In them, they only be
sdcrcd at the present time uncvllzed people The
folly therefore OF arguing that contact with them will
promote the civilization Of the Utes IS apparent The
argument that the contact OF an uuciv!red people
with u civilized. under proper conditions, will promote
the civilization Of the lower Is undoubtedly sound,
and In this instance, II the facts assumed were real
facts, the argument for tho removal Of the ties In tho
absence Of other reasons for their retention their
present reservation would he good one but H. aS the
friends Of the removal contend, contact with the
NavaJos Will help To- cvllizo the ties, why Will not
ACT Colorado n
potent influence IN that dlrectOu on the theory OF
those who advance this argument only assume
that they believe the Navajos 10 be more civilized than
those whtc communities which at present surround the
Ito reservation. This argument Il of the nature OF
the boomerang
II is the announced policy Of the United states GOV
ernmcnt so 10 civze Indians that they Will 10 be
Indians and shall become like white men. il Is there
fore manifest that II the Government shall remove the
tcs on the plea that II desires them To become Ike the
NavaioS rather than like tho citizens OF Durango ana
those Of other places contiguous 10 the present ltc
rcservaton IL win have rcpudlacd us own policy ana
have adopted which Is precisely the reverse IA,
Can any one all familiar with progress In civiiiza
ton contend that men O become more civilized by
removing them from contact with civilization. its
language It's religion, Its orderly habits Of llre IT,
steady labor rs hw ts refinement, and placing them
I'm contact With sheer barbarsu. which Il the reverse
OF these Unless arc prepared 10 defend 50 mann
testify absurd proposition we cannot logically caiin
that the removal The ties from their present civilized
surroundings 10 conditions Of Isolation ana DarDarism
will nd vance their civilization. HERBEKT WELSH.
philadelphia, Penn. July !, 1890.