Evening star., 1935-11-10
History Should Be Rewritten to Tell
Real Story of the American Indian

posterity sterling evidence of not only
our boundless love for this great man,
but also, unwittingly, everlasting
reminder of our obligation toward the
race from which he sprung.
Unfamiliar With Problem,
Many of us are unfamiliar with the
Indian problem in the West as jc ex-
lists today. Moreover, our history in
this regard only tells ule side of the
question. that Of the writer, who most
usually has heard only one SIDE.
Government records disclose that
millions Of dollars are annually eX-
pended for the administration Of the
Indian Service; that a far-frug or
ganization of highly trained workers
for years has been ceaselessly nursing
a perplexing problem without hardly
so much as scratching its surface.
Their charges, truly, we're once a
healthy and happy people, and impair
tial history attests their capacity TO
progress when uuobstructed. Space
will not permit a full discussion Of
their present condition. 1t may suf-
flee to point out that their pitlful
plight today can be almost wholly
attributed to three great causes. VIZ:
/. Cruel exploitation by the domin.
ant race;
2. A Government policy based here
tofore upon a total lack of knowledge
of the problem. and
3. Racial prejudice which began in
the early dav as an excuse to justify
,r al
most wholly due to the spurious teach
ing of history in our schools and by
motion pictures.
Collier Deserves Praise.
The present administration has all
most miraculously eliminated the COM
mn thevery of lands and other prop
erty of the Indians by avaricious
scoundrels. Who for 200 years or more,
have preycd upon poor 10. Future
history will record that the policy to-
ward the Indians adopted by John
Collier. commissioner Of Indian affairs,
based largely upon the recent report
Of the Institute Of Government Re-
search, is the most human. practical
and complete Indian program ever
pursued in our history and, most i'm.
portant Of all it is really the first
policy having as its purpose a sincere.
helpful attitude toward the Indians.
John Collier and his associates de-
serve from this country the highest
praise. But quite likely thanks will
not come until the benef1ciaries Of his
program realize what he has accom-
plished for them. And then surviv- =
ing generations of Indisns will wor-
ship him as one of their great bene-
factors.
A word now about prejudice against
the Indians Remove this and the
Indian problem is solved. Hounded
and robbed for two centuries. as they
have been. there is little wonder at
their present economic plight. Be-
reft of their property. as they now are
save a baked desert, or barren
rock for a homeland-surely the de.
scendants of their despoilers will spare
them a wounded pride when that
alone will save them.
Children Must Be Told.
OF course if a change comes in
! American opinion toward them, it can
only come after a long period OF re-
education. Children in our schools
must be taught both sides of our In
dian relations for generations If 1t IS
desired to halt this peculiar racial
prejudice. To continue in the present
path of emphasizing the scalping
knife and the tomahawk to Americas
school children IN schools and mo-
tion pictures, while emitting the
ravages. rohberies and revolving MUIR
ders which recorded, but untaught,
history portrsys were perpetuated
with equal barbarity and ferocity
upon Indians by the progenitors OF
cultured America, is not only unfair.
dishonest and shameful. but further
complicates to an astonishing degree
Mr.. Golfers present problem Of re-
/ Mobilization.
! Indeed. it would be more pleasing
to the patriotic citizen if this chapter
/ of our national history could be de-
stroyed and forgotten. but that so
saved would not be history. So why
not reclaim our national honor in
I TINS respect Dy presenting lEulII4ulIy
and completely an accurate story OF
the founding. expansion and growth
of this great country by simply adding
chapter to our now written history
from the viewpoint of Lo If such is
not done soon. I gravely fear that Lo,
himself. will ere long be gone, leaving
behind America writhing with a tor
tured memory of contemplate and
unredressed diabolical wrong.