Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1893-02-17
DEALING NIrn rmg ISDI,S.

to Il great extent In our nation, though
the requirement in recent years Of
moro thorough and accurate iuforma-
ton regaT ling the characteristics and
condition OF the nboriglues has cOusid-
erably modified a once almost universal
opinion. The people who settled
Utah have ascertained by their
experience that the sentiment
referred to Is unjust and cruel, aud l.
based ON an erroneous conception Of
the situation. There are bad Indians,
some Of them very bad, az there are
bad white men, whom 1t would be an
injury 10 the public to allow perfect
freedom OF action. But consideTing
the general condition Of the two races,
II is certain that the savage tribes Of
America furnish no greater proportion
Of evil disposed persons than does the
civilized class.
Aiming the most interesting Of the
Indian tribes on this continent are the
faquls, Sonora, Mexico. None Of the
aborigincs have better pTesetv-
ei their independence. They have
thus far refused to recognize the right
OF conquest IA belonging exclusively
TO the white race, and III ugh com-
PEELED by superior force to submit In
some respects, their aoquiescence In
nSwly imposed conditions has boen
far from amiablc.
The general knowledge OF these facts
gave additional interest to their case
when II was inllmayei that the Moxi.
can government had founi one other
use for Indians than TO kill them, and
that was to have tho a contribute by
taxation TO the country'a finances. II
was anticipated 10y many that the
Yaqui warriors would have TO pay the
tribute levied or accept the alternative
OF determination. The tax collectors
were ordered to enter their country
under the escort Of a large body vi
troops, and did 30. The Indians
learned Of their approach and
resisted. At first they were driven In,
anu many Of their chiefs slain. But
the people were not subdued. The
Mexican army anu collectors had to
retire without accomplishing their
object. This Yaquis could not be-
forced to pny taxes, and avoided ex-
termination by retiring to the noun.
tain businesses, where they successfully
REPEALED all attacks.
Now comes the further information
that the Mexican government IA about
TO enter upon a plan OF education with
the doughty warriors whom armies
have failed TO subdue. Oar south rn
neighbor recognizes that there is much
good In the Indian whiio alive. When
lott TO themselves tho Yaquis have
shown that they arc peacsab,o and
industrious. In war they are vigilani
and brave. They number about 20, 900,
aud chiefly occupy eight villages
on the Yaqui river. They follow theiI
ancient customs, observing their tribal
laws, and raise horses, cattle and
sheep, besides engaging to some extent
Ia tilllng the soil, weaving cotton aud
agave, aud making a crude kind OF
pottery. The plan which IL 10 now
proposed 10 pursue with them Ia IL
enter into friendly relations, aud T.
Mexican people by gradually instruct.
inS them In the advantages OF civilized
life. BY teaching them the purposes OF
the national laws, showing the b5u.fi.s
10 be derived through conformity there
with, and establishing scholls,to which
tho Iaquis arc not ayorse, II Is be-
lieved that Ia n comparatively briei
space Of time the national govern.
mont will secure such extended and
permanent coutrol as centuries OF
desultory warfare and the sacrifice OF
much lie anu Treasure have failed 10
attain.
II the method proposed is JuIiciously
followed II viii pr1vs the Aey to the
Indian problem. Tie solution OF this
question In the past has been prevented
solely by u rash anu iuhuman pIlicy
toward tho native. He cannot be-
forced at ones into accepting and sub.
mitting 10 civilized customs and laws,
any more than u newborn babe ca
walk alone. The condition oil
both excludes absolutely the al.
vanced requirements. But by care
lul, consider ate training and gradu Il
development the desired result ia
achieved. Too hasty measure, pro-
duce collapse. BY gaining the cou-
fdonce OF the Indian through uni.
formly kind but hrm treatment, such
IL his natural INCLINATION for u prHcii.
cal assimilation OF ideas which he be.
lieyea to be advantageous to him, that
not many dpcaIes would pass before
iudian wars would cease 10 be more
than memory, anu the erstwhile red
men OF the forest, plain and mountain
would DO well on the way to become
"a delightsome people,"
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TRYING 10 LOCATE HEAVEN.