OCR Text |
Show i9oo] FUTURE OP THE INDIANS 267 Iroquois, it is not strange that the woman should have demanded and received thorough recognition and respect; but it is noteworthy that in loosely organized tribes, where the clan does] not obtain, and where the will of the stronger male might be expected to operate as the only law, she also asserts her rights with success. The applause of the women is often as much sought as the approval of the men, and an individual's social position can easily be made quite untenable by the opposition of the weaker sex. In general the highest ambition of the Indian is social regard and rank; and ridicule and ostracism are correspondingly feared and avoided. It was this sensitiveness to public opinion which enabled the tribal and other councils to remain as successful instruments of government without the establishment of a recognized executive. These popular misconceptions are not merely of academic interest. They have played an important part in the chapter of American history which covers the relations of the white man and his government towards the Indians. Leaving entirely out of account the dishonesty and oppression which have been too frequent in the administration of Indian affairs, the failure to understand and appreciate the workings of the Indian mind and the nature of many of his customs, has led to well- in- 1 tended interference, which has often produced serious » disturbance, unrest, and revolt. Such, for example, has been the history of the attempts of the United |