REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE.
Your Committee, to whom has been referred that part of the Report of the Executive Committee which concerns the American Indians, beg leave to report as follows:
We recognize with gratitude the work which has been accomplished by the American Missionary Association, in behalf of the Indians, in its missionary and educational departments.
We especially recognize and commend the success of the experiment of bringing youth from the tribes, and educating them at Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute and at Carlisle Barracks; and, at the same time, we record our decided opinion that the schools on the reservations, while the reservations are continued, must be relied upon as among the most efficient agencies for improving the condition of the Indians.
We believe that the possibility of civilizing the Indians is no longer an open question, as is proven by what has already been realized at the Fort Berthold, Lake Superior, S’Kokomish, and all the agencies.
But your Committee desire emphatically to express the opinion that all attempts to civilize and Christianize the Indians must be slow and unsatisfactory until there is a radical change in the relation between the Indians and the United States Government. The Committee, therefore, desire to reaffirm two resolutions adopted at the last Annual Meeting of the American Missionary Association, as follows:
Res. 1. That the aim of this Association shall be, as far as possible, and as rapidly as possible, to secure for the Indians—
(1.) A legalized standing in the courts of the United States.
(2.) Ownership of land in severalty.
(3.) The full rights of American citizenship.
These three things, we believe, are essential, if the Indian is to be either civilized or made a Christian.
Res. 2. That to this end the members of this Association will do all in their power to make the Indian question a pressing question, until the attention of Congress is so secured, and held to it, that the legislative enactment necessary to bring about these changes be completely accomplished.
Amory H. Bradford, Chairman.