The Washington herald., 1921-04-21
Rep. Alice M. Robertson
And Others Join
In Plea.
CITE PATRIOTISM
OF TRIBES IN WAR
Congresswoman from Ok
lahoma Declares For
eigners Favored.


Indians, enlargement Of the present
Americanization work. and a more
thorough system Of patriotic educa-
tion were the principal matters
brought before the thirtieth cen
tennial congress Of the Daughters
OF the American Revolution yester-
day. during the session held in Ne
mortal Continental Hall.
Although no definite action was
taken in regard to the correction OF
conditions pertaining to the Ameri-
can Indians. Mrs. George Maynard
Minor. president-genersl of the So
ciety. voiced the sentiment of the
assembly last night when she said:
Il feel that it is a disgrace to this
country the way we have mistreated
the Indians, and I hope that every
member of the Daughters Of the
American Revolution will do all In
their power to see that these mat
ters are corrected"
want More Americanlsm.
Besides pledging themselves to
assist In every possible way in fos-
tering Increased Americanization ac-
tivities. the congress adopted a res
olution urging Federal, State and
municipal governments and civic or
ganiZations to combine in the task
of bringing to the foreign-born the
advantages Of absorbing and follow
ing the principals of true American
ism
49, -.,-..t .aS-....- -. 49,.
tors emphasizing the need for an
educational campaign to offset the
activities of radical forces in this
country, the congress voiced its de-
sire to cooperate and assist in a
cation.
Miss Robertson Speaks.
The plea for better treatment of
the American Indians was made
! by Representative Miss Alice NJ.
Robertson, of Oklahoma, the irst
member Of the Daughters Of the
American Revolution to be elected
to the United States Congress; Mrs.
Mary w. Roe. of Colony. OKLA. a
member of the d. A. R. and a Rs
formed Church missionary among
Indians. and Thomas L. Sloan, presi-
dent of the Indian Society OF
America.
As l was listening to a debate
on the johnson immigration bill on
the floor of the House today my
mind Travelled back to the days
when l was a young girl and saw
the American Indians being crowded
out of their rightful lands" said
Representative Robertson.
One Indians Prophecy.
Il recalled the prophesy made by
one OF the young Indians at that
time: While they are pushing us
off into a corner of the country. they
are opening wide the doors to for
eigners from all sections Of the
world. / suppose it was intended
TO be so. hut some day they will be
forced to make way for those for
eigners which they are now permit
ting to rush into this country, the
Young Indian said As l listened
to the debate on the immigration bill
which will be voted upon tomorrow.
could not but help thinking that
the young Indians prophecy had al
most been realized.
we have treated the Indians
shamefulIy. Yet they have always
been the true Americans-the 100
per cent Americans. During the
world war they served with distinc-
ton Only about one per cent of the
Indians asked exemption under the
draft. while ten per cent of the
white men and twelve per cent of
the negroes, according to statistics,
claimed exemption"
In speaking of her activities in
Congress. Miss Robertson said that
she is sometimes accused of being
wet" and at other times de-
nounced for her decided dry" stand.
Whenever l am called to task
ard am asked how i would vote on
this issue, / answer by saying that
] have behind me ten generations
of ministers and two generations
of missionaries. That Is enough.
Could you expect me to vote wet
in circumstances like that?"
Our STerribIe Civilization.
We have shamefully driven the
Indians back to make way for our
terrible civilization" said Mrs. Mary
: W. Roe, and now IL is time that
we realize that we owe them con-
science money for that disgraceful
treatment
we SnOulo give the American n
Indian every opportunity to inn
prove his conditions and to take
the place in this country which Is
rightfully his. The Indian should
be given protection of the courts
for he is a law-abiding person.
The Daughters of the American
Revolution. dedicated to a patriotic
purpose, should take up this matter
and see that these matters are cor
rected. This society should also
contribute q scholarship for the
American Indians the same as they
are doing for many foreigners and
illiterates." '
Expects Square Deal. .
Hope for the betterment of con-
ditions relating to the Indians was
expressed by Thomas l.. Sloan,
president of the Indian Society.
The President Of the United States
has Informed US that we might ex-
pect q square deal for him, and
now II Is yp to civic and patriotic
, societies to see that this is brought
about by backing it up with public
Uppinion-"
A return to the ideals upon which
this country was founded is the
only means for the perpetuation of
the nation. declared Hnry J. Ryan.
nxzsurD oa .AGsnvA