The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1897-12-19

der that settlement. The natives do not
know anything about it, Their eyes are
not open for it. But some strangers
come along and they discover the gold.
Without any regard whatever to the
voice of the settlers and to the rights
of their possessions, the miners locate
and record their claims. By supposed
legal process they develop these claims
at large profit. The natives receive
no benefit by the discovery, and in the
course Of a short time they are finally
deprived of their property and elected
from it by force. What else can they
do but seek redress from the courts OF
law. IL that is not given them they will
seek other methods which may prove
fatal to all concerned.
Again, the Klondyke miners should
trust the natives and deal with them
honestly and honorably. The native
Alaskan can be trusted, and when once
their confidence is gained they become
good friends and remain so under all
circumstances. We have had many il
Illustrations in the past of their trust
worthiness. The winter was setting in
and trader was leaving a native set
tlement on the Yukon river. He left
his money to a native and said to him:
Take this, and when the interior tribes
come down in the middle of winter, buy
from them such and such furs for me,
and I will try to be back here next
spring." The native got the money, and
the trader returned to California. The
native was uneducated, and was not
rich. He did not sign any receipt, nei-
Their did he pledge anything. The in
terror tribes came down to the coast,
and the native bought the furs wanted.
Next spring the trader returned and he
found his furS awaiting him. This is
but one example of many that could
be mentioned. AS long as they are not
unlaWfu1ly instigated the Alaskans
.,,Ir 70 hf ,,1 fysin lie i, h,YSi
tics and religion. Trust them and ap-
peal to their honor, as You would trust
yourself, and uphold your own just
principles, and / am sure there will be
no trouble between the miners and the
Alaskans.
Further the Klondyke miners should
not NEEDLE in any way with the re-
ligious beliefs and customs of the ma
tiyes. The majority of the Alaskans
are still heather, but although they are
such, yet they are religious. Now if
you want to irritate or excite any peo-
pie strike at their fundamental relig-
ious beliefs. Many painful scenes have
resulted from this cause. So, to avoid
any conflict, it is wise to let their
strange religious notions alone, and
leave 1t all to the American missionar-
les and schools. But am glad to say
that the Christian religion has made
many converts among them. These ma
tive converts are an honor to their
country. government and flag, as we'll
as to the churches to which they be-
long.
The native Alaskans do not object to
miners and commercial men coming to
their country. They will not give them
trouble as long as the gold miners treat
them Alright. If these men simply come
for the gold that they can get. regard
less of how they get it, and whether or
not they infringe upon the rights of
others. SO they get possession of it, the
wronged natives will take extreme rem
edial measures. Aside from this, the
attitude of the Alaskans toward the
miners is one of which we need not be
apprehensive.
EDWARD MARSDEN,
Lane Seminary, Cincinnati, o.