Year: 1870

steads in severalty should be permanently secured


But little progress has been made by the Indians
river only comparatively few have ever been at
any time upon 1t, and 1t has been mpracticable
ment in their behalf The causes of the failure are
mainly to be found In the sterity OF the soil and the
aaGss nnS 9n 6oss nonbtess exs, oeud s;eny
large military force be stationed upon the reserva
ton TO protect welldisposed and restrain lawless
bands, and were the irrigsting canal, which has
been In course OF construction for several years.
completed and made available to water their dry
and sandy fields.


PROGRESS OF CIVILIZATION.


It is worthy OF notice that while the greater num-
ber OF tribes still adhere to the customs and manner
workings of that civilization to which their minds
have been directed by the efforts OF the government
af aff e Of ter eeVston e ne dSnV
OF citizenship, and that they will sustain credltably
that relation whenever they shall assume II In the
Kansas those who have already abandoned
tribal organization, ant taken upon themselves the
others prepared for change Another indication OF
progress in this direction is that many are asking
for the survey OF their reservation where IL is held
in common and for alletments in severay OF tracts
OF so or more acres to each and in some cases the
in view. The policy of giving every Indian home
he can call his own is wise one, as it induces
strong incentive to him to labor and make every
effort in his power to better his condition. BY the
adoption, generally, of this plan on the part of the
Government, the Indians would be more rapidly
advanced In civilization than they would II the
in common were continued The progress of
the Indians, during the past year. in education and
agriculture and general industrial pursuits, s not
very marked yet there is reason to believe that it
has been steady There has been an increased will
lingness to engage in cultivation Of the SOIL and
desire to have schools established among those des
tute OF them, and for these reasons additional as
sstance and facilities to carry on farming opera
tons and schools should be furnished to those who
have been to some extent heretofore provided for.
I'm of fhn nf hoch hnar1 hVhlu
promotve Of the welfare and happiness OF the tribes
under them, even at agencies for the Cheyennes,
have been so difficult to control for years past.
Where the least possible good could be expected to
be accomplished commendable prudence and energy
have been displayed, and as favorable condition of
affairs exists there as could be reasonably expected.
Military gentlemen also who last year were detailed
for duty Indian agents by direction of the Presi
dent, have faithfully, and, with much credit to them
selves, efficiently managed the trust devolved upon
them and it is to be regretted that they cannot be
continued in service.


THE PRESIDENTS NEW POLICY.


The Presidential plan of inaugurating a greater
dians by the appointment OF Friends to some OF the
superintendencies and agencies, hos proven such
hibited the employ ment of army ocers in any civil
who were detailed for duty as Indian superlnten-
the the principle BY inviting other religious
the great work Of civilizng Indians. By his direc-
ton, correspondence was opened with different
missionary associations, explaining to them the
purpose and desire of the Government to combine
with the material progress OF the Indian race cans
for their moral and Intellectual Improvement and if
they concurred in the plan, asking them to desig-
nate the names Of such PERSONS possessing good
Christian characters gas would be willing to accept
the position and discharge the duties OF Indian
agents, and who would at the same time lend their
personal and official influence to such educational
and missionary or religious enterprises as their
societies might undertake. The plan is obvi-
ously wise aud humane one. Under polit-
and the expenditure of large sums of
money annually, the Indians made but
liZaton in which are embraced the elements Of the
material wealth and intellectual and moral develop
ment Indeed it has seemed to humantarians that
the more the Indian was brought into contact with
modern civilization the more degraded he became,
learning only its vices and adopting none OF its vr
tues-nOt, therefore, as dernier resort to save
dying race-but from the highest moral conviction
OF Christian humanity the President wisely deter
mined TO invoke the cooperation OF the entire reli
giOus element OF the country to help by their
labors and counsels to bring about and
the expenditure OF the munihcent annual appropra-
tioD Of money made by Congress for the civilization
and Cnristianizaton Of the indian race Most of the
religious organizations promptly responded, heartily
favoring the proposition and agreeing to assist in
its execution. Men Of their designation have been
appointed agents, some OF whom have gone out to
their respective agencies while others preparing
to do So The prayers of all good Christians viii go
with them that they may succeed in the great WORK
for which they have been specially chosen, and
earnestly hope that the country generally will ap-
prove e course adopted, ana give IL all Tile support
necessary.


RAILROAD PROJECTS IN THE INDIAN COUNTRY.


The rapid construction Of railroads branching
into every section of the country is after OF very
serious import to the Indians generally. Grants OF
land given by Congress in aid of roads In the West
must inevitably and unavoidaoly interfere VIII
many Inoian reservations Diversity OF opinion
exists among the various tribes OF the Indian Ter
rory by reason OF the projected roads north south,
east, and west through that Territory, and
other roads in the South aiming to reach
the Pacific will OF necessity pass through
the immense tracts OF Indian country or the cOun.
try claimed by them. So with the Northern Pacific,
which road must necessarily pass through several
reservations the quiet possession of which Is guar
anteed 70 the Indians by the solemn faith OF trea-
ties. Other roads are projected through the Great
Sioux District; the Sioux are the most powerful and
warike tribe Of Indians in the United States, and
their persistent and determined opposition to rail-
roads is well known.


Any attempt, therefore, to penetrate the country
in this way must produce collision. These are
matters which should receive the attention OF the
authorities OF the Government and Congress, aud
such steps be early taken will avoid all diculty


Very respectfully, your obedient servant,


L. S. PARKER, missioner.


The Hon, j, ID. Cox, Secretary of the Interior.