The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-12-19

they have are relics Of the past. Christ
ianity and civilization have exerted a
wonderful influence upon them They
are a present in transitional pe4iCd.
The country of Alaska and the North
western territory of CanaSa are a tract
ing the earnest attention of the COM
mo1cial world. Sine the excitement OF
last July, many thousands of miners
and commercial men have made their
way into that part of the American
continent. These newcomers are
strangers to the country ard its peo-
pies They are ignorant of the inhabi-
tants, ard the ina iJants of them. In
some cases, because Of this Ignorance,
misunderstanding arise and they lead
to trouble and ill-feeling. What then
is the relation between the Klondike
miners and the native AlaskanS?
Alaska is a part of the United States,
and, although this is SO, it gives evil
dences of being i country separate by
itself The native people there, es-
pecially those who are not Christians,
are therefore not very closely allied
with the people of the United States. l
mean by this that they are not very
well acquainted with the inner life and
lHOuSIHt VI IHS lN pun - W lIIAC III
are patriotic and think much of Old
Glory and the American people, yet
they are in some sense foreigners.
with this understanding, we need
not be surprised to find that large
part of the native population is either
indifferent or aiarmt at the invasion
CT their country by the miners. The
prevalent idea among them is that the
fold-seekers viii do them both good
y,.r IL =
ment of the resources of the country
ard the many blessings that clViliZa-
ton gives them; and bad. because of
the evil influence brought in by un-
principled men
The miners are there already and
thus far there has been no clash of
any KIND between them and the nat
ives which will result in the appeal to
the protection of the law, or to a
breach of the peace.
To avoid airy unnecessary trouble,
and in order that the Klondike miners
should not collide with the native in
habitants of Alaska and Northwestern
territory of Canada, the former should
recognize and respect the rights Of the
latter.
This is an old and well known prln-
ciple But how often has it been VIC
lated in new countries where the strong
nave an advantage over the Weak.Sup-
pose there is a native Alaskan settle
ment, and gold is found near and under
that settlement. The natives do not
know anything about it. Thzir 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 a large profit. We 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 1t by force. What else can they
do but seek redress from the courts of
law. If that is not given them. they
will seek other methods which may
prove fatal to all concerned.
Again. the KlOndike miners should
tlUst the natives and deal with them
testify and honorably. The native
A as'za ms can be trusted, ard when orc
their confidence is gained they become
good friends and remain so under all
circumstances. We have had many
Illustrations in the past of their trust
worthiness. The winter was setting in