Evening star., 1902-04-25


system for white children. The children
are beneficiaries. and If they are educated
at all, it must be not at their own expense,
but at the expense of others. This objec-
tion, therefore, urged against the Indian
school system, either proves too little, or it
proves too much. The whole trend Of mod
ern princely beneficence Is toward increas-
ing the facilities and lessening the expense
of education, as is Illustrated by the gifts
of millions to universities by millionaires
and phtlanthropsts
The criticism aimed at. the beneficiary
feature of the Indian schools is in effect an
arrangement of the wisdom Of modern phi
lanthropy, modern policy and Of the sanity
OF modern civilization.
Rights of Children.
Every child born into the republic is en-
titled to claim as his birthright such kind
and degree of education as will fit him for
good citizenship. The Indian child has a
right to demand of the government which
has assumed the responsibility Of his train
ing that he shall not be hopelessly handi-
capped by any inferior training.
After having condemned the system the
report recommends that adequate facil-
ties should at once be made for the 50US
or 5000 childrep still unprovided for 1t
will cost several hundred dollars to accom-
plish this result but the money will be
wisely expended
What should be done with the Ind;
school system? I can only answer briefly;
first, it should be extended until it includes
the entire generation Of available school
children; second, 1t should be allowed to
continue a reasonable time until it has had
a chance to vindicate it's right to be- or
until incontrovertible facts regarding it's
failure shall warrant it's discontinuance;
third, the system should he administered
with vigor, intelligence and enthusiasm
along the general lines of itstpresent work
Such changes and notifications in detail
should be introduced as experience demands
and justifies; third, from correspondence
had with principals of non-reseryation
schools l think the industrial feature of the
system needs immediate attention. The
instruction given should be of a higher or
der, by men and women specially trained
as Industrial teachers.
Fourth. Special stress should be laid
upon 0 giving to the pupils a practical
mastery of the English language; t2) upon
the acquisition of those simple, civilized
ma bits OF neatness order, punctuality fidel-
lty, industry, etc; C3) upon the development
of robust moral character, which recog-
nizes the distinctions of right and wrong:
~ upon such application of manual or in
dustr1al training will develop power
lmpart skill and put the pupils in the Way
of acquiring such trades as will render
them self-supporting and independent: 60
upon such an importation of the rudiments
OF common branches experience has
shown to be most effica cious in developing
mental power, awakening aspirations and
desires, while at the same time storing the
Hiilu VIII Sucn 1actS ana truths will be
most servlceable as a part of that general
Intellectual equipment which every intelli-
gent man and woman of this day ought
to possess.
1T is, perhaps, quite enough to ask that
the masses of Indian children Of both sexes
shall be carried through these lower grades
OF school work, but provision should be
maze fof the higher education of the ex-
ceptlonal few who show special aptitude
for scholarship and manifest special gifts
which Will fit them for leadership among
tnelr people 1t is true of the Indians as
or any other race of people, that they are
profoundly influenced by those who are en-
doWed with capacity and fitness for leader
snip. A few men in each tribe or in each
community, thoroughly educated, will have
a tremendous influence for good upon the
masses Of the people
The Laws Of Neutrality.
the session Of Wednesday evening an
address OF much interest was delivered by
Mr.. d. j. Hill, assistant secretary of state,
on The Conception and Realization Of Neu-
tral1ty.' The speaker traced the history of
this principle, showing it's great Importance
and recounting the struggles by which the
principles of neutrality have been estab-
l1shed. particularly dwelling upon the con-
tribution of the United States to this i'm
portant movement 1t was pointed out thai
neutrality is, however only a negative and
transitory idea in the development of in
ternauonal relations and not final term
1t has produced the condition Of regional
responsibility and limited the area Of bel
nserency, but 1t Is now seen that although
the independence of peoples and their neu-
tral rights are great and noble Ideas, the
lnterdependence of mankind is more
deeply rooted and essential truth