Asheville daily citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1890-1900, 1891-03-26
CHEROKEES HEARD FROM.
TEMPERATE STATEMENT OF
TROUBLE.
Chief ~. J. Smiths AntaROnism to
Prof H. w. Spray Explained
DissensiOnsC sCaused-The School
and the Church.

sAhhsA shA~
CHEROKEE, N c., March, 1S91.-As
my antagonism to Prof. II. w. Spray,
Superintendent of the Cherokee Indian
Training School, may not be understood,
in view of the recent printed testimonials
to the excellency of the school, and the
efficiency of the superintendent, wish to
present two pictures in striking contrast
and leave the conclusion to the readers.
When Mr.. Brown, the predecessor OF
Mr.. Spray, had charge of the school, the
eastern band of Cherokees were torn by
no dissensions, but were united, peaceful
and happy in relations to the school.
The children were better taught
than under the present regime and
were being developed morally as well
as intellectually besides being instructed
in those accomplishments that go to
make up ladies and gentlemen.
Not only the children but the entire
band of Cherokee Indians had the advan.
tage of religious instruction by ministers
OF God and all met in their places of wor-
ship on fraterna and devotional basis.
All parents were anxious to give their
children the benefit of an education pro.
vided by the government, the want OF
which they so sadly felt. But let us pre-.
sent the other picture and witness
the contrast. Grant, for the sake
of argument, that the school proper is
conducted as well as formerly, will this
compensate us for the trouble and bad
blood cngendcred by the present supcrin-
tendent! But this is not the case for scv.
eral instances have come under my I'M
mediate observation in which pupils were
| chastised so brutaly as to cause a faint.
ing spell and result in their leaving the
school, and this punishment was for triv.
lal offenses. No longer is the humble
minister's voice heard among the Chero.
KEGS Offering the terms OF salvation, ex.
cept by our native preachers, No united
band can gather at the divine altar for
'"S''No navy hliNNll away luN llllulSlCl
and bad advice has divided the hithcr-
to peaceful worshipers, So terrible
has been this division that an
open outbreak, between the factions
have at times been imminent. A por-
ton of the parents no longer feel willing
to have the minds of their children in.
fused with a spirit of disrespcct and dis.
| obedience and hence the school is not full.
hlling the functions it was created to per
form. These disscnsions are traceabe
directly to the policy of this superintend.
ent. whose removal lin the opinion of the
gentleman who wrote the above men.
toned testinonials) would be regarded
as most serious blow to the institli.
ton In view of these facts | wish 20
| submit few propositions:
First. Is he the right man for the
| place who has caused dissensiOns where
none before existed?
Second. Is it the policy of the govern
ment to divide GU. band into factions
thereby rendering them less tit to attain
the true standard OF citizenship and ad
vance i'll the arts of civilization?
Third. Is it the correct policy to de
prive the Indians OF that spiritual coun
sci they have been receiving for many
years.
Fourth. Can this school perform it.
legitimate functions in developing, not
only the pupils, hut the entire band
morally and intellectually, if majority
OF the band have no respect for its head
Fifth. AS it has been demonstrated
| thnt he