The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-07-14
REMOVING THE UTES.
Will Placing Them With the Ma
yajOs Make Them Better2

The following is a copy OF letter
sent by Herbert Welsh of the Indian
Rights Association to members of Con-
gress on the subject of the proposed re-
moval of the Utes to the territory now &C.
cupied by the Navajos:
IL has been urged as an argument in favor OF the
removal of the Ute Indians from Colorado to Utah
that such removal would make them neighbors
of the NavajOs, by which they would be induced
to adopt The habits of those Indians, and make
more rapid progress than they are likely 10 do
upon their present reservation. This argument
rests upon The assumption that the Naval JOS are
progressive and civilized peoples but what are
the facts OF the case? have just returned from
visit to the NayajOs OF months duration,
during which have Travelled over 200 miles OF
territory, and moreover, this Is my third WISH TO
these people since 1888. / am, therefore, more
familiar with their condition and prospects, II 10
fair TO assume, than those who have advanced
the argument IN question The Navaios are not
a civilized people They have no know ledge Of
the English language, nor have they bad any
opportunities TO receive instruction in civilized
pursuits. Under the care OF an excellent agent.
who has only been With them Two years, they
are now only taking the first steps toward cur
way OF living IL is true that they are
self-supportiDg through The possession of
large tOcks OF sheep ana goats, aud they are In
dependent OF government support Il Is also
true that this method OF living they have been
accustomed to Tor at least century past But
Ii should be Observed that the NavaiOs must
greatly modify all their present conditions OF
living before they can be brought into easy rela-
tiOnshp with civilized communities While
they ale on The whole well.disp0sed people, in
their superstlIiOns, their Indian dress, their
nOmadc habits, their rude houses, built OF
bOughs, which they abandon should death
occur IN them, they can only be considered at
the present time an unciylllZed people. The
folly therefore of arguing that contact with them
VIII promote tile civilization OF The Utes Is APP
parent. The argument that the contact Of an
uncIvZed people with civilized. under proper
conditions, will promote the civilization OF the
lower race, is uDdou btedly sound, and IN this
Instance II the facts assumed were real facts The
argument for the removal OF tile Utes, IN the aD-
seHce of other reasons for their retention on lIer
present reservation, would be good Que; but If,
the friends of the removal contend, contact
with the Nayaios Will help 10 ciyiltZe the Ules,
why Will not contact with the citizens OF Colo
RADIO have much more potent Influence in that
direction? On the theory Of those whc advance
This argument we can only assume that they be-
lIeve The Navajos TO be more civilized than those
While communities which at present surround
the Ute reservation This argument is OF The
nature OF The boomerang.
1t Is the announced policy of the United States
Government TO so clvilZe Indians that they Will
cease 10 be Indians and shall become like white
men. IL IS therefore manifest that II the Gov
ernment shall remove Tue Utes on The plea mat
1t desires them 10 become ike the Nayajos
rather than like the citizens of Durango aud
those OF other places contiguous 10 the present
Ute Reservation II Will have repudlated lis own
policy and have adopted one which Is precisely
the reverse.
Can any one at all familiar with progress 10
civilization contend that men are to become
more civilized by removing them from contact
with civilization, Its language Its religion, Its
orderly habits of life It's steady labor, Its law.
It's refinement, and placing them III contact with
sheer bar barism, which Is tie reverse of these?
Unless we are prepared TO defend so maDlfestiy
Absurd proposition we cannot logically claim
civilized surroundings TO conditions of ISOLATION
and barbarlsm Will advance their civilization.