The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1927-08-19
COOLIDGE TALKS
70 5000 INDIANS
DECLARES LOOSE TALK AND
HYSTERlCAL AGITATION
GAIN NOTHING

PINE RIDGE, S. D., Aug. IT,
Much progress has been made by
the Indian in his adjustment to the
new order of things, but his prob
lem still is one of manifold com
plexities, which cannot be solved
by sentimentality and loose talk,
President Coolidge today told the
5000 red men of the Pine Ridge
reservation.
Recalling that he was the first
president to speak especially to
the Indians of America since pas
sage of the act which made all
native born Indians citizens of the
United States, Mr.. Coolidge as
sured them that the government
was doing what it could to make
them "all respected and self sup
porting citizens"
He cited some of the great mass
of rules, decisions, regulations,
and court orders which concern
Indian affairs and added that these
complicated by the intrusions of
the Indians W tribal customs
have often in confusion, much
trouble and in too many cases,
injustice to the Indians"
The Way to Solution
"These few citations" he added,
Should be sufficient to indicate
the manifold complexities of the
nations Indian problem and to
convey the suggestion that its
practical solution cannot be af-
fected by appeals to sentimental
ty, by loose talk, by ill-considered
legislation, by %hysterical cam
paigns, or by the insistence of
those in charge of the administra-
tion of Indian affairs that their
policies and methods are always
the only right ones"
Mr.. Coolidge declared that the
Indian problem has been a fruit
full subject of controversy for
many years." but that now at
least it was being solved through
peaceful relationships between the
red and white man. Peace and
understanding and cooperation
reign everywhere, he added.
"The Indian problem on it's face
appears to be one simply of eff
'ective social service, practical $
philanthropy and education" Mr.. "
coolidge said. GAS a matter of a.
act, it is a many sided question p
duplicated by ~puzzling complex ~
les. There are over 200 tribes u
nd bands in the United States, 81
ach with it's own name, tongue st
history, traditions, code of ethics u
md customs, which have the eff e
'ect of law with Indian tribes. 1t V
S a curious fact that most people .
n this country seem to believe .
hat the Indians are q homogene- y
us people and can be dealt with 81
5 a unified race or nation. The q
xact contrary is the outstanding
ct which has made the Indian &c
.oblem q most difficult one. Is
ev
NEW ways AHO Otd ~
louay' we nnu nc ca,
ople, recently primitive, not so 80
nv far from the hunter stage, n.
e surrounded by twentieth cen -,
ry conditions which are alien to ~,
cir racial characteristics, their
ibal ways and states of mind.
lille thousands of them have sue
eeded in adjusting themselves to L.
le new order of things, a great
ortion of them, mostly the older
mes still cling to the old ways,
refusing to go further -
ong the modern road. They wish W.
live and die according to the es
d traditional ways of the Indians
Id they should be permitted to do
J, re
"Many Indians are still in a 40
,initiye state. although strongly su
.fuenced by white contacts and ex
lousands are as civilized as their no
eighbors. On one hand, we find an
considerable proportion are so so
tile advanced that they can speak co
few English words, while on tn
e other hand, we find tens OF pl;
ousands who can speak, read be
id write the English language en-
I'd a large percentage of this Sc;
ass have had a grammar school tn,
lucation and many are graduates on
high schools, colleges and uni jus
srsities. A substantial number OF lif'
.dians have attained high places in
business, the learned profess int
ons. the arts, sciences and in wa
TN
Agricultural Gains
within recent years, agricul- an
re and stock raising have been in
lining ground in the economic ais
of the Indian people; but Jus
of them are still unable at In
is time to take their places in tht
e world as self-supporting farm SCI
S. mechanics, manufacturers and in
Tiled laborers." an
ext