Your Committee on work for the Indians recognize with gratitude the
greatly increased general interest in the welfare of the red race,
a change to more encouraging ideas in respect to its future, and a
disposition to make increased efforts for its redemption.
They point to the fact that to Christianize the aborigines was a
deep-seated purpose of the Pilgrim Fathers, and that the duty is
greater now than ever from the wrongs they have suffered at our
hands; and to the fact that the destruction of buffalo and other
game has compelled a large class of Indians to seek white men’s
means of support, thus bringing thousands of their children within
reach, and creating conditions of successful evangelizing work
among them far more favorable than they have ever been in the past
three centuries.
They urge action because civilization is rapidly surrounding them;
many tribes are increasing in numbers, and the alternative is
either Christian education or a terrible, bloody, costly struggle
with a powerful race. Education or extermination is the issue. They
point to the success already achieved in Indian education at Fort
Berthold, Lake Superior and S’kokomish Agencies, by the American
Missionary Association; to the grand results of missionary effort
during the past forty years at the West; and to the hopeful work at
Carlisle and at Hampton, as affording every encouragement.
They recognize the great need of legislation that shall encourage
citizenship among the Indians and afford means of attaining the
conditions of citizenship.
Your Committee would therefore recommend for adoption the following
resolutions:
Res. I. That the Association shall do all in its power for the
education of Indian youth at their own homes, and in its colored
schools at the South.
Res. II. That the Executive Committee of this Association be
charged with the duty of pressing upon the general public and
the Government their responsibility for the Indian race, and by
co-operation with other societies, and by direct effort, exert its
influence at the seat of government in behalf of legislation that
shall secure citizenship to the Indian; to that end a legal status
and education to fit him for it.
S. C. ARMSTRONG, _Chairman_.
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