The Rev. W. H. Ash, pastor of our church, and teacher of our school at Florence, Alabama, died on the 13th of November. A protegé of Hon. A. C. Barstow, and a graduate of the Boston University, he began work for us at Mobile, Ala. He was then transferred to Florence, which was in need of such a man as he. Mr. Ash was married to Miss Sarah Hale, of Montgomery, an accomplished lady, who was his helpmeet, not only as a wife, but as a teacher in the school, which they had developed to the great delight of their people, and to the approbation of all the citizens. Mr. Ash, on behalf of the church and of the A. M. A., had built a tasteful church edifice which was also used for the school, and a parsonage. He had commanded the high appreciation of all the best people in the community. During his sickness, the Central South Association had its annual session in his church. His wife took his remains to Montgomery for burial. As writes the stricken companion: “It was only going home to receive the reward of the faithful servant.”
THE INDIANS.
STATEMENTS RESPECTING INDIANS AND THEIR NECESSITIES.
BY GEN. S. C. ARMSTRONG.
Besides the 59,000 Indians in the Indian Territory, there are about 200,000, of whom 55,000 are wholly supported by the government; 45,000 are partially maintained, and 100,000 receive little or no aid. They occupy 250,000 square miles of land, nine-tenths of it grazing land, the rest suitable for agriculture. The constantly increasing value of this domain from its mineral wealth and the building of railroads presses hard upon its thriftless occupants, who stand right in the line of progress, and must either change or perish. Meanwhile their source of subsistence, game, is disappearing, and, more and more, they will depend either on public charity or on stealing their food unless taught to take care of themselves.
The Indian question is upon us as never before. Those in the Indian Territory and the few thousands in Minnesota, Wisconsin, New York, North Carolina and other States, say 75,000 in all, are remnants of tribes who formerly lived east of the Mississippi River, are inclined to agriculture and domestic life, and have been considered superior to the nomadic tribes of the West. They long since ceased to trouble us, and are, at some places making commendable progress in education, stock raising and crops, besides generally holding their own in numbers. Still, to a large extent, they seem fixed in a half civilized, half pagan state, lacking their earlier manliness for the want of hardship and discipline in their lives, keeping up their heathen rites and dances, living in poverty, without law, demoralized more or less by annuities and destitute of the conditions that create character and self reliance.
They need practical education. A few are already at Hampton and Carlisle; five hundred should have such an opportunity.
More than this, their tribal relations should be broken up, homesteads inalienable for at least twenty-five years should be assigned, and they should be left as citizens of the several states in which they are, to vote and be voted on.