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Show LVIIl &EPORT OF THE COMMISSIONEF OF INDIAN AI+FAIRS. ciesfrom which the Indians have been taken for exhibition purposes,call-ing for the fullest information upon the subject, with a view to suggesting such modifications in the policy of the De ~ ~ r tmeanst t he facts might warrant. The replies of the agents fully confirmed my previous im-pressions that the practice is a most peruicious one, fraught with danger-ous results, economically, phSsically, and morally. It is not only in-jurious to the Indians who engage in the business, but also to those who remain at home, who, from their peculiar status and isolation, are in-fluenced in a large degree by those who have been absent on such enterprises. The policy of granting permission for Indians to engage in shows of this character has doubtless rested upon the idea that in addition to readily earning money, they would, by extensive travel through the States, and possibly in Europe, become familiar with the manners and customs of cipilized life. But travel is not necessarily elevating or profitable. While they may earn a little money and see something of civilized life, their employment is, from the very nature of the case, tem-porary, and they are frequently brought into association with some of the worst elements of society. Their representations of feats of savage dar~ng, showing border life as it formerly existed, vividly depicting scenes of rapine, murder, and robbery, for which they are enthusiastic-ally applandei1,-is demoralizing in an extreme degree. They become self-important and strongly imbued with the idea that the deeds of blood, etc., which they portray in their most realistic aspects, are especially pleasing to the white people, whom they have been taught to regard as examples of civilization. Their surroundings in these tours are generally of the worst, and they pick up most degrading vices. Instead of being favorably impressed with the religion of the white man, itis more than likely that they come to distrust it through what they unavoidably see, hear, and experience. Traveling abont the country on these expeditions fosters the roving spirit already so common among them, encourges idleness and a dis-taste for steady occupation, and during their absence their families often suffer for want of their care and assistance. They frequently return home bankrupt in purse, wrecked morally and physically, and, in such cases, I heir influence and example among the other Indiansia the worst possible. The influence of these shows is antagonistic to that of the schools. The schools elevate, the shows degrade. The schools teach industry and thrift, the shows encourage idleness and waste. The schools incul. cate morality, the shows lead almost inevitably to rice. The schools encourage Indians to abandon their paint, blankets, feathers, and sav. age customs, while the retention and exhibition of these is the chiej~ attraction of the shows. Owing to the steady growth of public opinion with reference to the possibility of civilizing the Indians through the, education of their children, Congress appropriated this year nearlj. |
