Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-08-05
May Never Open Again

A"N'S 'Hah pdSSiIlS interest is 1eIt
in Philadelphia in the announce
ment that the Indian School at Car
Isle Is to be closed. While appar-
emily this action is being taken to
add to the war hospital service, 1t
IS more than probable that the in
stltution never again will be opened
for the education of Indians.
Occupying an ancient military
post which was transferred to tho
Department of the Interior in 1879.
the Carlisle school was closely
watched by the Indian Rights As
ISOLATION, an organization to which
the modern Red Man owes a great
deal for his advancement.
When the late John Welsh. who
had been United States Minister to
Great Britain, invited a few gentle
men to meet him with the object
or forming an association to see
that the Indian was properly treat
ed and educated, so that he should
become a good citizen, instead of an
outcast, a great many persons be-
neved that this was the apex of
fadism.
1t has passed into a Jest that the
only good Indian was q dead one.
and probably this witticism was
more widely believed in than the
truth. This meteing was held here
in December. 1852, not long after
the law designating the Carlisle
Barracks as q school for Indians
became operative. 1t is probable
that only the high standing of Mr..
Welsh. the founder, saved the Or
ganization from ridicule at that
time.
Little by little the Indian Rights
ASSOCIATION. which from the frs,
made ut a rule to collect first the
facts before making any move either
IN Congress or TO the public. gained
the confidence OF the country. That
the Indian was being ill-treated and
robbed by dishonest agents in some
parts of the Indian country was
generally believed; but the associa-
tion got the facts. reported them to
the Interior Department. and even
went to the President himself. IL the
case warranted. and laid bare the
situation. As a result the Indian
came into his own.
before the advent of the associa-
ton General Pratt. then colonel in
1he regular cavalry, took an inter
est IN some Indian prisoners he had
in charge in Florida. He found them
ready for education and sent some
OF them to Hampton. Va. There
they proved apt pupils and the
colonel asked for a larger school.
where tho braves and the youne
squaws from various tribes might
be rcmade into some likeness to
civilized beings. |
AS Carlisle Barracks, which had
been in the possession of the Cow
eminent from Revolutionary times
was no longer necessity If wac
turned over for the purpose OF ex-
pertinent. The product proved most
astonishing, and the work was con-
stantly increased until the school
had more than 1000 students.
The post occupied a tract of 81 |
acres. In the days before the Revo-
luton the site had been fort to |
protect the western edge Of the pom |
ulation in Pennsylvania from ma
rauding Indians. During the Revo-
luton. or in 1777. the present bar
racks was built. and in addition to
accommodating a garrison it vas
made prison for prisoners of war.
Among the distinguished prisoners
at this time was Major Andre. who
afterward suffered death as a spy
near Tarrytown. N. Y.
BY the time Colonel Pratt was
ready for his experiment on large
scale there was no need for FORTH
cation in Carlisle nor for barracks,
tor the Indian frontier had moved {
Of miles to the westward, {
ana. indeed. lay many leagues west
OF the Mississippi.
There always has been a close !
between the institution +:
ana the Indian Rights Association.
although it was merely the bond of '
and watchfulness. t
In time the association became {
held in high esteem by the depart |
msnt at Washington and by Con- r
gress, because It was regarded as
always furnishing accurate informa-
tion and with always moving with q.
caution and discretion. In addition,
II was freed from any suspicion OF
either politics or religion. It existed
ana exists for the single purpose OK
making better citizens OF Indians
ana In standing back OF them as
q guide and friand. :