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Show REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. 3 It thus appears that he saw even at this early date the necessity for the Government itself undertaking a.nd carrying out under its own auspices the work of educating the Indians ~ o ~ m i t t teod i ts charge. From this date until July 16,18i0, when $100,000 were appropriated for Indian schools, this great civilizing agency was conducted by vari-ous churches and associa,tions through their missionary agents. That they did good work goes without saying, as these godly people had the welfare of the Indian at heart, but results have since indicated that such a system was not adequate for producing lasting eeects. This was recognized by Congress in 187% when, instead of leaving it to the already over-taxed religious people, the present systenl was begun by appropriating $100,000 for this purpose, and repealing the old law of March 3, 1819. This marks the beginning of strictly Government schools; day schools first, followed by boarding institutions. In 1878 the Indian department all Hampton was organized, and the next year the great training school at Carlisle established. From this time on there has been a steady interest in matters pertaining to Indian educa-tion, both in and out of Congress, as is evidenced by the liberal appro-priations made each year. In the annual report of the Indian Department for the fiscal year 1872 the then Commissioner of Indian Affairs stated that <(The west-ward course of population is neither denied nor delayed for the sake of all the Indians that ever called this country their home; they must yield or perish." In pursuance of this law of destiny the Indian was forced to yield as the borders of civilization and progress were pushed further and further Westward until they have finally encompassed every tribe and surrou~lded it with the powerful evidences of the foremost civilization of the world. Once the proud possessor of this boundless territory, the Indian has been forced to yield rather than miserably perish. As his power and forces of resistance decreased those of his former adversaries increased. Recognizing his just claims to consideration, he has been taken under the protecting influences of the Government, and while in many cases confined upon diminished areas, snpport and subsistence have beeu allowed in lien of that which the wild fertile fields of the past gave him for the mere asking, but now he must follow the unchangeable decree of life and learn to labor for that which formerly came without effort. It was not a mere senti-mental policy which actuated the Government in fur~iishingsu pplies a ~ s~ubdsis tence to these .peoples, but it was simply a recognition of the justice of their claims to be given a snpport by those who had taken from them their means of existence. Such a policy, however, is not a perpetual one, for, continued too long, the tendency would be to pauperize a race capable of receiving and appropriating the benefits of civilization. In consequence of this, under liberal appropriations, schools have been organized where Indiau pupils may be trained through heart, head, and hand for the duties of .citizenship, which is |
