Norfolk High School - Milestone Yearbook (Norfolk, NE)

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WVj t §)l] ll We do Will] T e Indian? Lloyd Coim. Many theories have been brought forward for making the Indian a peaceable and law-abiding citizen. This question has been a leading one ever since the landing of Columbus and it probably will be until public sentiment is more thoroughly awakened. . Slavery never would have been abolished had it not been for public opinion and although it took a long time to arouse the people, the selling of human beings was finally prohibited. On the side of the white man, there have been treaties made and as often broken, a dark record of oppression, of fraud and of dishonesty. The Indian was the prey of everyone, until to-day he regards the white man as his deadliest enemy instead of friend. Not so in the older time when Columbus' white-winged ships were thought to carry angels from Heaven. He is taught even from thecradle swinging in the evening breeze, that “white man” is a synonym for all that is low. base and vile. He has been pushed back from the hunting grounds of his fathers; he “Huh loft the blooming wilds he ranged so long. And nearer to the Rocky Monn tains, sought A wider hunting ground. But even here he is not at rest, for the course of empire westward takes its way. The white man wants his lands, and he must push on. He passes on lamenting: “They waste ns, aye, like April snow In the warm noon, we shrink away; And fast they follow, as we go Toward the setting day— Till they shall fill the land, and we Are driven into the western sea. But what shall we do with him? How can we improve

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THE MILESTONE. 11 anee and bloody conflict. Frequently the narrative closes with, “My boy sleeps in an unknown grave somewhere in the South.” Recently the nation has mourned the death of three of its greatest ones. Twenty years hence few of the soldier hoys will be with us for “With drum-beat and heart-beat the soldiers go forth.” Let us ever cherish their memories in honor and love. Many noble deeds are recorded but the actions of the countless host will be known only in Heaven. As succeeding generations learn of those who placed their lives on their nation’s altar fresh laurels will be added to their fame and their names will quite overshadow the early patriots. Our national character is to-day on a firm basis. Ry studying the fate of fallen nations we can profit by their experiences. Buskin has said, “Do not let us degrade ourselves voluntarily and then mutter and mourn over our shortcomings.” We are now advancing rapidly. Every liberty-loving country is watching us and wherever a new republic is founded the United States is taken as a model. And thus the seed sown by our forefathers is springing up and bearing fruit for the harvest, “Some thirty, some sixty, and some an hundred fold.”

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THE MILESTONE. !• him? The theory perhaps most acceptable to western people is that of extermination, believing with Gen. Sherman that “The only good Indian is a dead one.” We cannot, however, forget that “All men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creater with certain inalienable rights, and that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happi-ness.” We are living in a civilized country and age, not in the days of the Caesars. Another theory is that of severing tribal relations and distributing the Indians among the states making nine to each county. Advocates of this theory think in that way the Indian would soon be civilized like his white neighbor. Would he not be shunned and looked upon as beneath those with whom he is forced to associate? At first, perhaps, while the experiment is new, there might be some interest created, but in this country, nearly everyone looks out for himself before anyone else, especially of another race. By such treatment instead of becoming more civilized, the Indian would grow discontented and at length reach the poorhouse which would be worse than the present conditions. Others think one of the most needed changes is the transfer of his care from the Interior to the War Department. From 1S77 until 1881 a band of Sioux were under that department and during that time they were well fed and cared for, not by the government, but by themselves. All the war ponies were sold and the proceeds used for the purchase of cattle. In a few years they became better off than they ever had been before. Having reached that stage they were bundled into steamers and sent down to Standing Rock Agency. They were not even given time to harvest their crops. After such treatment the Indian does not have much desire to better his condition. Lieutenant Casey, who was murdered in the Black Hills by the hostile Indians, had a cavalry troop composed entirely of Cheyenne braves, the most worthless of the tribes, and from that low standpoint, he raised them to one of the finest troops of cavalry in the United States army. He taught them discipline and that it was no disgrace to work.