 | Notes Among the Indians |  |
GENERAL STATEMENT.
I first visited the "half-civilized" tribes along the southeastern border of Kansas and Western Arkansas. The Kaskaskias, Neoshos, and other of the confederated bands, and the Cherokees, Creeks, Seminoles, Chickasaws, and others. I wanted to learn what means had been employed to civilize them, and to see the result. I found them as decent and cleanly in their personal appearance and habitations, their cabins and out-houses as well constructed, and their fences, farming-tools, and stock as well cared for as by the majority of the white people, their immediate neighbors.
They owe their civilization to the missionaries who have most faithfully and efficiently worked among them for the past half century, supported by the liberal contributions of the Christian people of the Eastern, Middle, and Southern States. With the exception of the Osage Mission, which is Roman Catholic, they are all Protestant missions. Presbyterians, Moravian, Baptist, Methodist, Episcopalian, have all united in the good work.
The Cherokees are the most advanced in education of all the tribes in the United States, though in orderly living, I think, the Pueblos of New Mexico surpass them. Many of the gentlemen at the head of the nation are half-breeds; men of culture and refinement, with whom it is a delight to associate.
The "Reservation" system has in the main proved a success with them, though, like all theories, it may be pushed too far.
To collect a tribe together out of its straggling, roving, savage life, and bring it into a condition where it can be handled, where it can be protected from its more powerful neighbors, and also protect its weaker neighbors from the bad men belonging to it, and to afford teachers and civilizers of every kind an opportunity to work, the Reservation system must be adopted. But when a tribe has advanced as far as the Cherokees have in civilization, a larger and broader policy must be introduced. It
The war, in its dreadful ravages among them, has done great good to the Cherokees. It has killed the old factions and broken down the middle wall of partition between the half-breeds and full-bloods. All of them now see that they must be united, or the Cherokee nation goes to the wall. The half-breeds are looking more affectionately upon the full-bloods, as the proper field of labor for their most devoted efforts; and both factions are now so poor that there is nothing for the one to be envious of in the other. Even the old animosities of "North and South" have to be abandoned, and a common adversity has made them common friends.
They have a glorious heritage: 1. In a good name, earned by an unselfish, heroic life in the past.
2. In the advantage which that reputation gives them in placing them at the head, or nearly so, of all the Indian tribes of America; and
3. In natural resources of soil, climate, and geographical position.
Their country is superb. Agreeably diversified with hill and plain, well wooded and watered; coal, iron, and fertilizers of the soil near at hand; mild and temperate climate; sheltered from the colder north winds by their hills, and refreshed against the hot air of the south by the many springs and streams which water the valleys; and located on a line where very soon many railroads must meet, their situation is most hopeful.
I next visited the Seminoles. What American of forty years, does not remember the old cry about the Seminoles of Florida— twenty years ago or less. They were called "rattlesnakes—vile reptiles only fit for manure, and to be shot whenever seen." We were told, and our people believed, that nothing could ever be done with the Seminoles, and yet, there I found them living quietly in their neat log-cabins, working their farms, and sending their children to school, with as much earnestness as their white neighbors. About fifteen years ago they were removed from Florida, and placed where we found them in this country.
Rev. Mr. Ramsey, the missionary from the Presbyterian Board, has charge of one of their schools. It was in vacation, April, when I was there, and he was at work on his farm. The Seminoles gather around him as he ploughs, and watch his straight furrows with the intensest interest. His Virginia rail-fence, run by line, straight as an arrow, attracts their intelligent attention and imitation.
I visited the cabin of "Long John," their chief. He is a splendid specimen of his race: tall, well-formed; cheerful and open face. In the late war he was a sergeant in the Indian regiment on the Union side. On the walls of his bedroom he has a portrait of Abraham Lincoln, which he regards with peculiar affection. He called my attention to it with a most expressive wave of his hand from his heart towards it in reverence and manly esteem. He has an ingenious contrivance for raising up the box from the running gear of his wagon, so that he can substitute the frame of a hay rack in its place. It is all under cover, sheltered from rain. He called my attention to it with evident pride and delight. Mr. Ramsey told me that he was an earnest and consistent member of his church. And yet he is one of those who fifteen years ago were "rattlesnakes, and to be shot on sight, like other reptiles."
The mission among the Creek Indians, I had not time to visit. It is said to be the most successful of any in the United States. The Rev. Mr. Robinson has charge of it, assisted by Mr. Worcester, son of the distinguished missionary, Dr. Worcester, who labored so heroically for forty years among the Cherokees. A daughter of Dr. Worcester also had a school for the colored children at the Creek agency which has done much good.
The colored people have equal rights in all things with the Indians. In this
Driven out of Texas in large numbers under the influence of the old prejudice against their race, the blacks are fortunate in being welcomed so warmly by the Creeks.
I will now continue the story from my letters.
| Notes Among the Indians | |