The negro acquired our language and ways, and by becoming the industrial reliance of the South, became, even more than his master, capable of taking care of himself. We have destroyed the reliance of the Indian, his game, and have put nothing in its place. With all the justice and humanity intended in our annual outlay for the red race, there is a pauperizing, weakening tendency that is full of danger. Practically, has the politician been any better guardian than the slave-holder?
The country is waking up to a sense of justice. The shameful record of violated treaties and untold wrongs for the past hundred years is being brought out. From the outraged negro, for whom the country can now do nothing but help educate him, and who, indeed, needs nothing but intelligence to fit him to hold his own, our people are turning to the Indian and demanding that Government open before him the only way to manhood and citizenship—rights and education. It must be done.
In the “Century of Dishonor,” just published by the well-known author, “H. H.,” she states that “To write in full the history of one of these Indian communities, of its forced migrations, wars, and miseries, would fill a volume by itself.”
As this shall be better realized, a stronger public sentiment will be formed and felt. Other forces are at work. The three hundred and fifty Indian youth who have come voluntarily from the West, many of them children of chiefs, and entered the Carlisle and Hampton schools, have already proved their capacity for mechanical and agricultural, as well as for mental and religious improvements. Not but that this has already been abundantly shown; but the work has been done at our doors; the evidence is thrust upon us.
How many know that of the 275,000 Indians in the United States, 150,000 are already self-supporting, 84,000 partly so, while only 31,000 are entirely dependent on the Government; that their numbers are hardly diminished since the landing of the Pilgrims?
Bishop Whipple, of Minnesota, says: “The North American Indian is the noblest type of a heathen man on the face of the earth. He recognizes a Great Spirit; he believes in immortality; he has a keen intellect; he is a clear thinker; he is brave, fearless, and until betrayed, he is true to his plighted faith; he has a passionate love for his children and counts it joy to die for his people. Our most terrible wars have been with this noblest type of Indians and with those who have been the white man’s friends.”
Nearly three years’ experience at Hampton has shown that the chief danger, the death-rate, while serious, is not discouraging. Our 80 Indian pupils are now in better health than ever before. They need in bodily ailments careful, prompt treatment; with that there is little danger. It is clear that the death-rate is not increased by transplanting them to the East.
Is not the story of our last communion service which I sent to the Missionary last week evidence enough to stimulate Christians to the greatest effort for this race? I write this paper especially to urge upon the American Missionary Association and its friends some effort for Indians in connection with their institutions for colored people.
The mingling of races at Hampton has worked admirably. Our colored students increased in number last year by 37 in spite of the 70 Indians for whom separate and special pecuniary provision was made by Government and by friends.
Bringing Indians to negro schools is like putting raw recruits among old soldiers. The former are pushed along by a thousand indirect helpful influences; they are improved by contact with those always ahead of them in the march of civilization; and the latter are ennobled by what they do for their needy brethren. It works well; such mingling will strengthen and not weaken your schools, if Hampton experience is safe to go by. To make men of the savages on our frontier and to save their souls by putting them with the ex-slave of the country is a grand work, if it has been called “sensational.”