The Indian Question [pp. 438-447]

444 THE INDIAN QUESTION. [July,
3. A contraction of the Indian service, consisting of agents,
inspectors, and other officials, will follow.
4. The Government will be relieved of the support of many
tribes, whose reservations are too poor to afford sustenance.
5. Immensely better facilities for instruction will be afforded,
at greatly reduced expense.
6. The Indians already civilized would be brought into
contact with the uncivilized, and thus a happy influence would
be exerted over the latter.
7. More effectiye protection would be secured against intemperance, licentiousness, and other destructive agencies.
8. The only effective method of giving to the whole race a
Territorial or State government would be possible, and with this
a representation in Congress. They might themselves have
courts of justice of their own, and be brought under the
restraint of wholesome laws.
But the Government is so slow in carrying out this avowed
feature of its policy, we fear it may be forever postponed. If
it fail, the reason lurks in numbers 2, 3, and 4, above given.
The Indians, as at present scattered, constitute A FARM, productive and profitable to many, and the tenants in possession
will do what they can to hold it. The millions given annually
to support the scattered reservations, enrich many who are
not Indians.
What, then, may be done for the Indian on the scattered
reservations?
First, and above all, let the churches now engaged in the
work put the Bible into his hands in his own tongue. If the
tribe is small, numbering a thousand or less, it may not seem
wise to be at so great expense for so few. Then give, at least,
one or two of the Gospels, a few precious hymns, and a catechism, or other statement of saving truth. A little will do a
great work; for there is this advantage: the devil has no literature in their language-is not likely to have-so every line
of truth tells for good. When an Indian language is reduced
to writing on the phonetic principle, it is an easy matter to
learn to read it. A few lessons will suffice. Then, when one
is taught to read, he in turn teaches others, and soon the
whole tribe are able to read. There need be no extravagant
expenditure, therefore, in giving at least a part of the Bible to