The Indian Question [pp. 438-447]

1875.] THE INDIAN QUESTION. 443
good example, and the bligbt of decay will no longer rest upon
the race.
If the Government would carry out its policy, and speedily
gather the whole race into this one reservation; and then the
churches give them the Bible and Christian instruction, this
desert would soon blossom as the rose.
But will the Indians consent to this arrangement? Most
likely they will not. Nothing but sheer force will persuade
them to give up their accustomed haunts. It is not, as they
sometimes tell us in their orations, because they love the
graves of their fathers. They have no such holy sentiments.
The Bible truly says of all the heathen, "without natural affcc
tion." Even while we are engaged in writing these pages, a
number of the very aged and infirm have been frozen to death
in their lodges, for want of attention and protection. Over
the graves of their dead they never shed a tear: Nor is it
because they love a locality, as their roving habits well show.
The word home is not in their language. But in their hearts
they hate constraint, and, therefore, will oppose any change
forced upon them, even if plainly for their good.
Many of the smaller tribes are living on poor reservations.
These might be persuaded to send a delegation to the Indian
Territory, to see for themselves the good land; and their
report might encourage these tribes to try the change. But
if force must be used, the sooner it is done the better for the
race. There would, of course, be some suffering, some sacrifice
of life, but no violation of right; for the Government, as a
considerate father, may do for these dependent ones what is
so plainly for the best. Still, if force must be used, it should
be used carefully and kindly; the State pitying them "as a
father pitieth his children," and taking nothing from them
without returning full value.
Assuming that this, the vital part of the present Indian
policy, will be carried out, there will follow these results:
I. The many reservations, lying in nearly every State and
Territory west of the Mississippi, will be opened for settlement
to the whites; also the lands adjacent to these reservations
will be of greater value.
2. Many very expensive military posts will be vacated, and
the standing army may be reduced.