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Show XXII REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. A11 are familiar with the recent prohibitory order of the German Em. pire forbidding the teaching of the French language in either public or private schools in Alsace and Lorraine. Although the population is almost ,universally opposed to German rule, they are firmly held to German political allegiance by the military hand of the Iron Chaucellor. If the Indians were in Germany or France or any other civilized couu-trj, they should be instrocted in the la.nFdage there used. As ihey are in an English.spealring country, they must be taught the Pangtiage which they must use in transacting business with the people of this country. No unity or community of feeling can be established amo~ig different peoples unless they are brought to speak the same language, and thus become imbued with like ideas of duty. ~ s e m i int ~fo r the very best interest of the Indian, both as an indi-vidual and as an embryo citizen, to have this policy strictly enforced among the v&rious schools on Indian reservations, orders have been is-sued accordingly to Indian agents, and the text of the orders and of some explanations made thereof are given below : DECEXBEB 14, 1886. In &ll schools conducted by missionary organizations it is required that all instruc-tions ahdl be given in the English language. FERRUAEY2, 1887. In reply I have to advise you that the rule applies to all schools on Indian reserva-tions, whether they he Government or misaion schools. The inrtruction of theIndians in the varnaoulsr is not only of no use to them, but is detrimental to the oause of their edncation and civilization, and no school will Ue permitted on the reservation in whioh the English language is not exclusively taught. JULY 16, 1887. Your attention is called to the regalation of this office which forbids in&etian in schools in any Indim lane-u ac-e . This rule %- -p oliest o all sohoola on an Indian roser-vation, whether Government or mission schools. The education of Indians in the vernaculclrisnot only of no ase to them, but is detrimental to their education and civ-ilization. You are instrocted to see that this rule is rigidly enforced in all schools upon the reservation under yonr charge. KO mission school will he allowed upon the reservation which does not comply with the regulation. The following was sent to representatives of all societies having con-tracts with this bureau for the conduct of Indian sohools: JULY 16, 1887. Your attention is cdled to the provisions of the contrsots for educating Indian pu-pilq whioh provides that theaehaols shall "teach tho ordinary branches of an English education." This provision mnst be faithfully adhered to, and no booksin any Indian langoage mnst be u ~ e dor instmotion given in that language to Indian pupils in any school where this office hm entered into contract for tho education of Indians. The s m e rule prevails in all Government Indian sohoolri and will be strictly enforced in all ccontrset and other Indian schools. The instruction of Indians in the vernacular is not only of no use to them, but is detrimental tothe cause of their education and civilization, and it will not be per- |
