Page:U.S. Department of the Interior Annual Report 1879.djvu/25

Rh than a mere vindication of a right to a piece of land on the Missouri River could possibly remedy. Whatever might or should have been done, while their removal to the Indian Territory was still an open question, their present condition should not be left out of view in determining what is to be done now.

I have been informed on good authority that emissaries have also been sent among the Sioux in Southern Dakota, who are now contented, and have made a very hopeful beginning in doing useful work for themselves, for the purpose of “teaching them their rights,” and inducing some of them to withdraw themselves from the authority of the government, and to leave their reservation so that another “test case” may be made up. Such schemes are mischievous and reprehensible, and should be discountenanced and resisted by all well-meaning citizens. If they are set on foot in the name of philanthropy, it is a philanthropy most hurtful to those it pretends to benefit. True philanthropy will use every effort to accomplish that which is really best for the Indians, to make those who are well settled stay quietly where they are, avail themselves of the means offered for their improvement, cultivate their fields and take good care of their stock, devote themselves to useful work, send their children to school, and submit to the discipline which is necessary for their advancement in civilized life. This will be better for the Indians than an agitation calculated to divert their minds from that which is really needful.

On the whole, it may be said, notwithstanding the isolated disturbances which have occurred in Colorado and New Mexico, that the general temper and disposition of the Indians as to their willingness to work and to abandon the ways of savage life has greatly changed for the better. I do not mean to say we shall have no further trouble, but there is abundant evidence that at present the government possesses the confidence of the Indians in a greater measure than for a long time past, and that directions issued by the government are far more generally received by them with respect and obedience. We must not expect of them more than in the nature of things they are capable of doing. They must be treated not only with justice but also with patience. It may be necessary to repeat to some of them the same lesson again and again before they comprehend it, which requires persevering as well as intelligent work. But the progress made by some of the wildest tribes within my own official experience is most encouraging. When I entered upon my present duties I was told by men of long experience in Indian affairs that we would never be able to do anything with the Spotted Tail and Red Cloud Sioux “until they had received another thorough whipping.” Since that time they have twice been obliged to change their location. A general outbreak was predicted a year ago. When I visited them this autumn I found their freighting wagons by hundreds on the road with their young warriors on the box, their chiefs with their people making