OCR Text |
Show I REPORT OF THE COMbfISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. V The advantages to the Indians oftaking their landsin severalty ire so important and far-reaching in their effects that T fear to dwell upon them in this report lest I be accused of drawing a roseate picture born of an enthusiastic imagination. Every Indian may own a homestead! For it will he his homestead if he takes land in severalty and dissolves the tribal relation. Contrast his situation with that of millions of white families in the country, to say nothing of the larger ~~ulnboefr h omeleas people in the Old World, and of the negroes of the Southern States. What a heritage! A homestead his own; with assistance, by the Gov-ernment to build houses and fences and open farms; with a fund pre-served and guarded by the Government for years toassist in temhing him and his children the arts of civilization; with the title to the home-stead held in trust for a generation, if need be,so as to protect him from the selfish greed and relentless grasp of tile white man; with the means not only for material derelopme~lt and progress, but also for the liberal education of his children. If this policy were adopted s~ste~naticalbly the Government it would be strange if in five years from it,s inaugura-tion and establishment there should be an Indian of any t,rihe in the whole country who would refuse to accept so favorable and advanta-geous a measure. Every step taken, every move made, every suggestion offered, every thing done with reference to the Indians should be with a view of impressing upon them that this is the policy which has been perma-nently decided upon by the Gorernment in reference to their manage-ment. They must abandon tribal relations; they must give up their superstitions; they must forsake their savage habits and learn the arts of civilization; they must learn to labor, and must learn to rear their families as white people do, and to know more of their obligations to the Government and to society. In. a word, they must learn to work for a living, and they must understand that it is their interest and duty to send their children to school. Industry and education are the two powerful co-operating forces which, together, will elevate the Indian, and plant him upon the basis of material independence. They will awaken the spirit of personal independence and manhood, create a desire for possessing property, and it knowledge of its advantages and rights. An Indian who has gone upon land, opened a farm, built houses and fences, gathered around him some stock, and become self-sustaining, is prepared to understand the advantages of educating his ohildren. Agriculture and education go hand in hand. The labor of the adults and the education of the children will drive away the gaunt specters of want and poverty, which for generations-liave haunted the humble tent of t.he Indian, and in their stead will bring to his doors plenty, comfort, and home life. In proof of the soundness of this position that the Indians chn easily be made self-sustaining by agriculture, I refer to the progress made this rear by the Apaches oil the Ban Carlos fteservatiot~,i n Arizona, |