OCR Text |
Show 1s REPORT OF COMMISSIONER. priations will be required, the estimates for which will be submitted & soon as the necessary data are in the possession of the office. The explanatory remarks accompanying the estimates, it is hoped, will be found satisfactory, as care has been taken to make them conformable to law. The second volume of the work published by authority of Congress, under the direction of this bureau, containing information respecting the history, condition, and prospects of the Indian tribes of the United States, is in press, and will shortly be ready for distribution. It will be found a worthy sequel to the preceding volume, which was received with so rnnch general favor. The civilization of the Indians within the territory of the United States is a cherished object of the Government. It undoubtedly merits all the consideralion bestowed upon it, and the employment of a11 the means ne-cessary for its accomplishment. There are not wanting those, who, jndg-ing from the apparently little success which in some instances has attended the instrulnentalities employed, doubt the practicability of the measure. It should be remembered, however, that to change a savage people from their barbarous habits to those of civilized life, is, in its nature, a work of time, and the results already attained, as evinced in the improved condi-tion of eevexal of our tribes, are sufficient to silence the most skeptical, and warrant the assurance that perseverance in the cause will achieve success. The history of the lndian furnishes abundant proof that he possesses all the elements essential to his elevation; all the powers, instincts, and sym-pathies which appertain to his white brother; and which only need the proper development and direction to enable him to tread with equal step and dignity the walks of civilized life. He is intellectual, proud, brave, generous; and in his devotion to his family, his country, and the graves of his fathers, it is clearly shown that the kind affections, and the impulses of patriotism, animate his heart. That his inferiority is a necessity of his nature, is neither taught by philosophy, nor attested by experience. Pre-iudice wainst him., orieinatinp in error of o~iniono n this sub>iect,. h as ;loub~lesrbeenaf or~r~idableol,~ai lcl lteli c way'uf nis improvrnient; while, on the other hand. it k rauallv rcrtain that his nrooreAy has been retarded by ill conceived add misdirecied efforts to hasten' h; advance. It is even questionable whether tbe immense amounts paid to them in the way of annuities have not been, and are not now, all things considered, a curse to them rather than a blessiug. Certain it is, there has not at all times been the most wise and beneficial application of their funds. To arouse the spirit of enterprise in the lndian, and bring him to realize the necessity of reliance upon himself, in some industrial pursuit, for his support and comfort, is, generally, if not universally, the initiative step to his civiliza-tion, which he is often prevented from taking by the debasing influence of the annuitv svstem. Rut the svstem is fastened upon us, and its attendant evils muscbekndured. A On the general subiect of the civilization of the Indians, manv and diversified Ginions ha& been pot forth; but, unfortunately, like thk race to which they relate, they are too wild to be of much utility. The great -- question, How shall the Indians be civilized ? yet remains without a satis-factorv answer. The mo-en itude of the sub.ie ct. and the manifold difficnl- , tics i ~ ~ ~ c ~ ~cao~r ~nnbecl t~e\rd .i rli it, jertn to have brwildered the minds 01- those wl~uh ave attcn~ptetlt ogive it the n~osth orough in~eslig~tioo.' rhe |