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Show REPORT OF THE COMMI8SfONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. CLXVIf INSTRUCTIONS TO INDTAN AGENTS I N REGARD TO INCULCATION OF PATRIOTlSN IN INDIAN SCHOOLS. O ~ I C OEP INDIAANPE AIRS, Waahinglon, D. C., December 10, 1889. To Indian Agents and Supwir~tmdents pf Indian Sohools: ' The great purpose which the Government has in view in providing an ample system of common school education for all Indian youth of school age, is the preparation of them for American citizenship. The Indians are destined to become absorbed into tiio national life, not as Indians, but as Americans. They are to share with their fellow-citizens in all the rights md privileges and are likewise to be called npon to bear fully theirshare of all the duties and responsibilities involved inAmerican citizenship. It is in tha highest degree important, therefore, that special attentian should be paid, particuiady in the higher grades of the schools, to the instruction of Iudian youth in tho elements of Arnerionn history, acquainting them especially with the leading faots in the lives of the most notsblo and worthy historical characters. While in such study the wrongs of their ancestors can not Le ignored, the injustice whioh their raoe has auffored can be contrasted with the larger fnture open to them, end their duties and opportunities rather than theit wrongs will most pmfitshly en-gage their nttention. Pnpils should also be made scqoaioted with the elementary principles of the aov-ernnlent under whioh they live, and with their duties and privileges as oitizens. To this end, reqo1s.r iinstruotions shoold be given them in the form of familiar talks or by means df the use of some elementary text-book in oivios. Debating soeiekies should be organized in whioh may be learned the practical rules of procedure whioh govern pnblio assemblies. Some simple rnanuzl of rules of order lihould be put into the hands of the more advauaed students, and they should be oa~efullyin struckad in its use. On the azmpn(r of all the more important aohoolsthcro should be erected a flagstaff, from vhich should float eonstaotly, in suitable weather, the American flag. In all schools of whatever size and charactor, supported wholly or in part by the Govern-ment, the " Stars and Stripes" should be a familiar object, and students should be taught to reverence the flag as a symbolof their natiou's power and proteotion. Patriotic songs shot~ld be taught to the pupils, and they should 8ing them fre-quently until they acquire complete familiarity with them. Patriotic selections shotlld bqoammitted and reoited publicly, andshould oonstitntea partion of theread-ing exerozaee. National holidays-Wxshiugton's birthday, Decoration Day, Fourth of July Thanksgiving, and Christmab-should beobserved with appropriate exeroises in di Indian schools. It will alao be well to observe the annivemarg of the day npon which the "Dawes bill" for giving to Indians allotrnenta of land in severalty became a law, viz, Felrraq 8, 1887, and to une that occasion to impreas npon Indian youth the sn-larged scope and opportunity given them by this law and the now obligs.ti.tionswhioh it imposes. In all proper ways, teachers in Indian schools should endeavor to appeal to the highest elements of manhood and womanhood in their popilq exciting in them an ambition after sxoellenoe in character and dignity of snrroondings, and they should careful17 avoid any unnecessary reference to the fact that they are Indians. They khould point oat t,o their pupils the provisions whioh the Government hae made for their education, and the opportunities which it affords them for earnings livelihood, and for achieving for themselves honorable places in life, and should en-deavor to awaken reverence for the nstion's power, gratitode for its benefieenoe, pride in its history, enda laudable ambition to contribute to its prosperity. Agents and school superintendents aro specially oharged with the duty of putting these snggeutions into practical operation. Itespectfully, T. J. MOR~AN, - Commiasionw. INSTRUCTIONS I X REGARD TO CELEBRATION OB FRANCHISE DAY I N INDIAN SCHOOLS. OBPICE OF INDIAN AREAIRB, Waahingtm, January 24, 1890. !lb Un4ted States Indian Agents : The 8th of February, the day npon which the "Dewes bill" was signed by the President and became a law, ia worthy of being observed in all Indian schools as |
