Democratic Sentinel, Volume 1, Number 43, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 December 1877 — THE INTERIO DEPARTMENT. [ARTICLE]

THE INTERIO DEPARTMENT.

Secretary Sohum’a Recommendations. The most important portion of Secretary Schurz’a report ia that relatiug to the discussion of the Indian policy. After reviewing the events of the year, each as the Sioux and Nei Percea wars, the flight of Sitting Bull, and the visit of the Commissioners, Secretary Schurz makes the following remarks on the Indian policy: While gome progress has been made in the adjustment of difficulties, and the danger of disturbance on a large scale seems remote, it would be unwise - to lose sight of the lesson taught by experience, that in these things ap. pe&rances are sometimes deceptive, and that the general condition of our Indian affairs is by no meanH satisfactory. It is useless to disfuise the fact that a perfect solution of the Inian problem—that is to say, so complete an absorption of the Indians in our social and political system that they no longer appear as an incongruous and troublesome element—is, in our day at least, fraught with perplexities which cannot be solved by a mere stroke oj legislation. In my opinion, our efforts should be mainly directed to the following points: 1. The first thing necessary is that we should keep good faith with the Indians in every respect. We should never promise them more than we are able and willing to perform, and then perform what we have promised. 2. The pursuit of hunting is, as much as possible, to be discouraged among the Indians. The exoitement of the chase stimulates their warlike propensities. When the Indians cease to be hunters thev will, in a great measure, cease to be warriors. To this end they should be permitted to possess only a limited supply of arms and ammunition, and their nonies should bo exchanged as much as practicable for cattle. 3. As a number of Indian tribes are still depending in part, at least, upon hunting for their sustenance, their -wants must be provided for in another way. They should be gradually gathered upon a smaller number of reservations, where agriculture and cattle-raising can be carried on with success, and where they can easily be supplied with their necessaries until they are self-sustaining. The Indian Territory has room for most of the Southwestern tribes, which should be gradually located there as they come under control of the Government. One or two reservations in the Northwest this side of the mountains, and a similar consolidation of reservations on the Pacific slope, to be determined on after more minute inquiry into local circumstances, will accommodate tho Northern Indians. The interspersions of Indians and whites, which is so apt to lead to troublesome collisions, can, in this way, be considerably limited, and greater’ facilities will be afforded for the promotion of civilization. Wbilo Indians cannot be expected to become successful farmers at once, sovoral tribes have already made appreciable progress in that respect, and others are likely to do so under favorable circumstances and judicious management. 4. The enjoyment and pride of the individual ownership of property being ouo of tho most effective civilization agencies, the allotment of small tracts of land should be mado to the heads of families ou all reservations, to bo held in severalty, under proper restrictions, so that they may have fixed homes. To proteot the security of life and properaty among tho Indians tho laws of tho United States, to bo enforced by proper tribunals, should be extended over the reservations, and a body of police composed of Indians, and subject to the orders of tho Government officers, should bo organized'on each of them. It is a matter of experience that Indians thus trusted with official duty can almost uniformly be depended on in point of fidelity and efficiency. 5. The establishment of schools for tho Instruction of ths young is gradually being extended among tbo Indian tribes under our control as far as practicable. Tbo attendance of Indian children should be made compulsory. One of the most important points is that they should bo taught to speak and read the English language. Efforts have been made to establish and teach the grammar of Indian dialects, and to use books printed in those dialects as a means of instruction. This is certainly a very interesting and meritorious philological work, but, as far as the education of ludian children is concerned, the teaching of the English language must be considered infinitely more useful. If Indian children are to bo civilizod, they must learn the language of civilization. In this way a young generation may be raised up far more open to civilizing influences of a higkor kind, and more fit for a peaceable and profitable intercourse with the white people. 6. At many of the agencies farmers are employed and salaried by the Government, but, in some if not in most cases, the farms have been worked by wbito men merely to raiso crops for supplying the agencies and the Indians. They are to be turned to much greater advantage. ’ The farms should be used, in tho first place, for the instruction of the youth at school. ... .... 7. On the reservations tho labor of white men is to be dispensed with and Indian labor to be employed as much as possible. Proper discrimination should be made in the distribution of supplies and annuity goods, and the granting of favors between those who work and those who live as idle vagabonds, so that honest effort might be encouraged by tangible recognition and reward. Borne of these reforms have for some time been in progress. Others are in course of preparation. Their accomplishment requires time and patient labor, and, above all things, an honest and efficient Indian service.