The Washington herald., 1910-04-10


dian and His Problem" tscrlbner's. New
York; We have not only no reason to
question the truth of what is to be found
between its pages. but we are eager TO
learn from one who has made the Indian
problem Eis study for years, both in and
out Of public office
There is nothing pedagogic about Mr..
Leupp's book and yet it viii probably
serve as the most concise and enlighten-
ing text book upon the Indian subject
that has yet appeared and so it viii
stand for q long time.
Mr Leupp's well-known style Is CONF
fort in this book. The narrative is so
easy and so understandable. which is re-
freshing after all these years Of CROP
ing on the part Of the public as to just
what the merits are Of the struggle be-
tween Uncle Sam and his wards. The
author makes little attempt at justifca-
tion Of the policies that were Instituted
by him while in the Office of Commls-
s.oner Of Indian Affairs beyond stating that
the conditions surrounding the Indian
question have changed very radically IN
the past few years. He took hold of the
affairs of the Indians at a very critical
time, an2 what ne did he did with a deep
appreciation OF his responsibilities and
the gravity = his trust.
IIe payS a high tribute TO his successor.
Commizsioner Valentine, and also 20 his
namo<ous predecessors in Office. with
wSOm during his years Of interest in In
dian subjects he came in constant con-
tact
OF the fact that his administration OF
Indian affairs was a conspicuous sue
cess. Mr.. Leupp is modestly silent He
claims no glory, but admits that only one
who has the welfare of the Indian at
heart and who has made a painstakirg
study Of the people and the conditions
with which they are confronted. may ad-
minister 70 them in the name Of the gov
eminent to the satisfaction Of both sides.
To defend the interests of the govern
ment and its appropriations. and at the
same time reasonably satisfy the needs
Of the Indian Service requires diplomacy.
Sentiment is apt 10 enter into the ques-
tion TO a greater extent than into almost
no other Office under the government of
the United States
The Office Of Commissioner Of Indian
Affairs is no sinecure The journeys
through the Indian country. often riding
on horseback through desert country for
hundreds Of miles. where food. water. and
creature comforts are almost nil, do not
take the complexion Of pleasure jaunts. It
means hard and eKhausting work. it takes
patience to negotiate treaties; tact 20
dispense justice among a race so simple
as to be almost childish In its traits.
Neither IS the office spectacular The
results come slowly; they are the fruit
of untiring effort and quiet and thought
ful methods. There is more work than
glory, more satisfaction in the perform
ance Of duty than in tangible com
pensation.
A tribute 10 the clean and intelligent
of this office boy Mr..
Leupp comes as the natural result of
reading his book. The reader viii at
once admire the author and imbibe a
large and lasting knowledge Of a sub
ject with which all American citizens
should be conversant He viii not fail
10 realize also that the authors utter
ances are from the depths Of conviction
and experience.
In response 10 an inquiry as to whether
the red race would not one day produce
such a leader as the black race has in
Booker Washington, Mr. Leupp says:
In my opinion il never viii, for Wash
ngtOn's leadership was evolved from con-
diuons which find no parallel among
the Indians. At the base of everything
les the solidarity Of the negroes in
America. They are substantially one
people in their later history. in language,
m social condition. in customs, in mode
IF thought, in outlook. Almost ali Of
hem are descendants of men and women
who were brought to this country by
force and sold into bondage. Their
transition from chattelhood 10 citizenship
vas so sudden that il might almost be ]
described as effected at a single stroke. /
md when it came it was universal
Like people who had long stood in |
darkness but found themselves ali at !
)nce in great blaze Of light, they were I
iazed and bewildered. ami groped as I
blind men do with no strong hand TO /
yuide them. Socially segregated. treated I
n one part OF the country with scorn /
md the rest with Indifference, they have
ormed a class by themselves. bound to- 4
sether more closely than any other race +
IN this continent 10y their common ante 1
edents, their common experience. and
heir common aspirations. When, there I
ore, one arose who said to them. I, too.
I'm sprung from the despised slave stock; /
have suffered poverty and oppression /
nd ostracism as painful as yours: I /
rave as strongly as you my share of the /
precious things in life which the eau
asian has monopolized for himself. and
believe I have discovered the way to
ttain these it is not wonderful that he
ound many an ear waiting for his
-oice
THE Indians, on the other hand. are
descended from free and independent
fun Of race pride, disdainful
f new and alien things Their chiefs Of
Id made treaties directly with the
'nited States government. whose ennis
aries they met on footing Of equality.
nd against which they did not hesitate
make war when they believed them
elves wrong Though they have passed
trough many vicissitudes of fortune. as
race they have never known what it
Tas to he despised, but in the DAYS of
heir strength they were greatly feared.
Tar from aspiring to be white men or
Ike white men, they have almost uni
ersally looked forward with dread to the
ay toward which all signs point. when
hey will have lost their ethnic indI-
and become an indistinguish-
bic part Of the body polite In spite
[ their sense Of racial separateness and