Tanana leader. [volume] (Tanana, Alaska) 1909-1910, 1909-09-23

be thoroughly conversant withthe spectacle of
pies living together under the law yet wholly in
inequality before that law must present questions which,
sfted to the dregs will reveal pretty muddy
It not surprising therefore, that the processes by
which the Alaskan native finds himself required by law to
maintain fairly respectable standard of citizenship while
foregoing Of the honos and privileges of civilized fe
are little understood, by his fortunate white
brothers. White men who take the trouble to think about
the unusual state of things all probably dismiss it with
the assumption that it is the natural fruit of the vine
planted by missionary hands and watered by the tears of
the ultra good in far-away states.
However, there missionaries and missionaries. AL
Of them essentially politicians; and of them adopt
purely negative tactics while others progressive and
distinctly constructive in their methods The late Dr.
Sheldon Jackson of the latter class. In his report
general agent Of education in Alaska long 1886
regarding the natives Dr.. jackson said
This native population with the possible exception of the
Tnneh Indian Because many them unczed pop
alar opinion without giving the consideration has fire
auenty assed them Indians This is mistake The United
States district court for Alaska has affirmed that they In
iaHsthat they and sued make contracts
pleasure and do whatever any other person do lawfully
DR.. jackson quoted approvingy from the report of
Hon. A. P Swinefor Governor of Alaska to the secretary
Of the interior i'll 1885, as follows:
The native Aaskans rule industrious and provident
living and substantial home all self
These people, it should be UNDERSTOOD Indians
Their appearance habits language complexion and their
natony mark them wholly different and distinct from
The Indian tribes nhabtng other portions of the United
They superior Intellectually physical develop
men the Indian of the pans Industrious, less
fu workers in woods and metals and that they srewd
sharp traders all who have had dealings with them WILL think
willing testify They yield readily civlizing Influences
and with much less than has been bestowed native
tribes elsewhere be educated the standard of intel
gen citizenship Just in proportion their educational progress
they should have the rights privileges conferred
and penalties of full citizenship imposed upon them.
DR.. Jackson also quoted from oficiall communion
ton made long ago March H. 1872, by Hon. +. A.
Walker commissioner of Indian affairs to the secretary Of
the interior, concerning these people, as follows:
For myself Of Alaska
Indians within the meaning constitution
Esmos Kanakas and disposed to avoid entirely the
the word Indian" applied them. The balance
probabilities to incline toward Asatc origin,
the inhabitants of the and islands
The inference their geographical position, strong
may hardly strong inference their sngu-
lar mmec gifts and the high degree of mechanical dexery
which they capable of attaining These qualities chaac
eristc of the Oriental and they precisely the qualities
which North American Indian deficient But without
attempting establish their connection with the Chinese Jpa
nese their descent from the lost tribes
the purposes of this it be shown that the
concluded by irresistible natives
Alaska Indians within intention organizing the
Indian
M