The Progress. [volume], March 25, 1886, Image 1

About The Progress. [volume] (White Earth, Minn.) 1886-1889

Image provided by: Minnesota Historical Society; Saint Paul, MN

                
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VOL. 1.
The Progress,
Gus. H. Beaulieu,
Theo. H. Beaulieu,
Publisher.
Editor.
White Earth Agency, Minn.
A "WEEKLY NEWSPAPER de
voted to the interest of the White
Earth Reservation and general North
western News. Published and man
aged by members of the Reserva
tion.
Correspondence bearing on the In
dian questionproblem, or on general
interest, is solicited.
Subscription rates: $2.00 per an
num. For the convenience of those
who may feel unable to pay for the
paper yearly or who may wish to take
it on trial, subscriptions may be sent
us for six and three months at the
yearly rates. All subscriptions or
sums sent to us should be forwarded
by Registered letter to insure safety.
Adderess all communications to
THE PROGRESS,
White Earth, Minn.
HEAD'QRS HOTEL.
Wi. T. WARREN, Manager,
WM. F. CAMPBELL, Clerk.
First-class in every respect the best
of accommodation tor transient
travel.
Competent Guides
Provided for tourists wishing to visit
the Sources of the Father of Wa
ters,the Mississippi. Red river
and the numerous Fishing
and Hunting grounds.
HEADQUARTERS for the DETROII and
RED LAKE STAGES.
HOTEL
HINDQUARTERS.
Ed. Oliver* Proprietor,
Everything in first-class Keeping with
the times.
The tables are always provided with
Fish, Game and Vegetables in
their season. Good stabling,
ample accommodation for
both, man and beast.
BOARD BY THE DAY OR WEEK.
R. FAIRBANKS.
Dealer in
Q.ROCERIES
PROVISION.
and
Lumbermen's Supplies.
o
FLOUR and FEED kept on hand.
Ginseng, Snake Hoot and Furs
Bought, Sold and Exchanged.
THE PROGRESS
JOB
WORK
AND.
Printing
Establishment.
All kinds of Job Printing, such as
Bill Heads, Letter Heads,
Blanks, Cards, Tags etc., solicited.
Work Warranted and Satisfaction
Guaranteed.
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SALUTATORY.
With this number we
make our bow to the public. The
novelty of a newspaper published
upon this reservation may cause
many to be wary in their support,
and this from a fear that it may be
revolutionary in character. Our
motto will undeceive such. We
propose to remain true to this
motto, true to tha standard of
social and individual morality it
would express. We shall aim to
advocate constantly and withold
reserve, what in our view, and in
the view of the leading minds up
on this Reservation, is the best
for the interests of its residents.
And not only for their interests,
but those of the tribe wherever
they now are residing.
The main consideration in this
advocacy, will be the. political in
terests, that is, in matters rela
ting us to the general Government
of the United States. We shall
not antagonize the government,
nor act in the presentation of our
views in any way outside of writ
ten or moral law.
We intend that this journal shall
be the mouth piece of the com
munity in making known abroad
and at home, what is for the best
interests of the tribe. It is not
always possible to reach the foun
tain head through subordinates, it
is not always possible to appeal to
the moral sentiment of the coun
try through these sources, or by
communications througe the gen
eral press.
Hence we establish THE PBO-
GRESS as an organ, and an organ
only in this sense.
We may be called upon at times
to criticise individuals and laws,
but we shall aim to do so in a spir
it of kindness and justice. Believ
ing that the 'freedom of the press,'
will be guarded as sacredly by the
Government, on this Reservation
as elsewhere we launch forth our
little craft, appealing to the au
thorities that BE, at home, at the
seat of government, to the com
munity, to give us moral support,
for in this way only can we reach
the standard set forth at our
mast-head.
CONSOLIDATION.
With the growing question,
"what shall be done with the In
dian There have been many
schemes proposed, and all based
upon the theory of a severance of
tribal relations.
This last, as an underlying
principle, is supposed to be the
only basis upon which can safely
rest any system for the govern
ment of aboriginal peoples and
which shall inure to the benefit of
the governing and governed class
es.
The Indian problem so-called is
a deep one its solution must come
only through profound inquiry in
to the service of sociology, and
such careful action as shall read
illy adjust itself to the eternal
principles of divine morality, The
intricacies of the solution are not
to be unravelled at one effort.
This much must be recognized.
The student of the history of the
United States in its bearing upon
the relations between tliem and
their aboriginal wards has seen
that complications arose at the be
ginning and have increased in meas
ure with the progression of the
country. In days past when the
presence of the Indian was deemed
to be a restriction upon civilization
and the march westward of Em
pise's sway, the first suggestion
which arose, and one we may say
invariably acted upon was the re
moval plan. That is to say by
treaty, involving purchase, and
mutual agreement or by force
EARTH AGENCY, MINNESOTA, THURSDAY MARCH 25, 1886.
under some psetext or another,
the Indians path was indicated to
be westward. But things have
changed, the United States are so
extended, the transcontinental
systems of railways have so
changed the moffes of emigration,
that practically the western bound
ary has been reached beyond which
none can go.
The odd conditions under which
emigration moved were such that
emigration moved slowly. The
demand for territory was limited
and thus the Indian's home was
not often in peril. Now emigra
tion moves at such a pace that the
demand for land is thought can
only be met by abolishing, or limi
ting in area, the different reserva
tions now held by the various
tribes within the boundaries of
the United States.
We are not disposed to quarrel
with this demand, for we think
it may be the general outcome of
the situation which events are
working out in the history of this
country.
We do not pretend to judge
these events, nor shall we offer
any suggestions to the general
government as to the best way to
act in general beyond the bare
statement, that all rigid theories
fail on application, and that the
political economist must be guided
by what is demanded by given
conditions.
It has been the mistake in the
past to move on fast lines, to look
only upon one set of conditions,
and those of a general nature to
formulate and apply rules as
though there were no varying con
ditions.
The old "Intercourse Law" for
instance which may have been
well enough in the early days of
this country, is totally inadequate
is as useless as would be the rul
ings-of the "Star Chamber Court."
What is now needed is its aboli
tion, and in its stead special legis
lation substituted.
Apropos to this we have a word
to say. This Reservation is now
known to be the home of a people
somewhat advanced in the arts of
living. The people are known to
be as christian in name and con
duct as the average white man.
A^all events they have reached
an understanding of the Christian
maxim "Do unto others as you
would be done by."
Consequently they would like
to see the principle put into prac
tice in connection with the now
much talked of plan: "abolition
of tribal relations, resesvations
and allotments in severalty."
We are not suggesting what the
United States should do upon oth
er reservations, we simply would
call to mind the treaty stipulations
which provide for a less arbitrary
system of allotment than that pro
posed. The people of this reser
vation want this understood and
acted upon when the time comes
for the consolidation of the various
bands of Chippewas at White
Earth,
We are in favor of such consoli
dation and shall heartily welcome
the advent of our brethren from
abroad.
It is too early a day to discuss
the question in all its bearings at
this time, since that would be but
shooting an arrow into the air.
Consolidation is much talked of
as a measure of expediency and
justice. To these aspects we say
amen, and when the thought be
comes crystalized into action, and
legislation, or treaty or negotia
tions of whatever sort begins we
shall have more to say.
We wish to be understood dis
tinctly as being in favor of con
solidation, but consolidation effec
ted by certain considerations, and
carried out under well defined and
wisely considered plans. And
these plans should emanate not
only from the United States or its
representatives, but should be the
resultant of joint action with the
people effected.
There will arise financial ques
tions there must be provisions
made for law and order, for the
establishment of some sort of
courts, for a well defined status of
the individual in his relation to
tribe* and the general govern
ment.
It is to be hoped that none but
the wisest and most experienced
in Indian questions and especially
those conversant with the history
of the Chippewas be appointed on
the part of the general govern
ment to represent it.
FOLLOWING the Ada Convention
of Dec. last, Bishop Whipple of
the Diocise of Minnesota and Rev.
Gilfillan entered manly and christ
ian protests against the action rec
comended by that convention.
The Bishop shows that the Chip
pewa Indians are friends of the
whites and proceeds in addition to
show by two propositions that
they hold their reservations by an
undisputed title, viz:
1st. Their possessory right, rec
ognized by the law of nations, by
the Ordinance of 1787, by the
Louisiana purchase, by the legisla
tive, executive, and judicial de
partments of the Government. 2d.
They have added to this the guar
antee of the United States as a part
payment for large and valuable
tracts of land. White Earth is
their last and best possession.
He appeals to the Christian sen
timent of the United States against
the action recommended in regard
to White Earth. The protest of
the Bishop was made to the Sec'y
of the Interior and called attention
to the letter of Rev. Gilfillan to
the Pioneer Press. Rev. Gilfillan
speaks from experience, having
been for thirteen years a resident
upon this Reservation as a Mission
ary of the Protestant Episcopal
Church. Comment upon the Ada
Convention is hardly necessary
since the side of justice and Indian
rights have been ably presented.
But if the voice of the people who
are immediately interested of those
whose common rights are threat
ened can add any weight or influ
ence public opinion in any way
then we add our protest. We do
this, not in a spirit of rancor, nor
with any desire to oppose the will
of the government. We believe
that the recommendation of the
convention do not voice the sen
timent of the people at large.
The people of Northern Minneso
ta may honestly believe that a
territory of such portions as the
White Earth Reservation, should
be thrown open to the public for
settlement, *they may honestly
think that it is a wrong policy
which locks up thousands of val
uable acres, and allows it to re
main unoccupied and uncultivated.
But it is a narrow view of the
question, it overlooks the num
bers, and falsly estimates the char
acter of those who may come here
under future agreements with the
government.
There will be none too much of
arable land should the Chippewas
of Minnesota be removed here.
No way has been found for makr
ing heroism easy, even for the
scholar, Labor, iron labor, is for
him. The world was created as an
audience for him the atoms of
which it is made are opportuni
nities.Emerson.
The busy bee is feeld up as an ex
ample of industry to boys, yet
what a terrible example he is! If
boys were like bees, you couldn't
stick your nose into a school-room
without getting it thumped.
At the beginning of the present
century it was considered "fast"
by respectable Londoners to have
sofas in the parlor.
NO. l.
Local and General.
The Agency is very quiet now days,
the Indians, having all moved to their
sugar hushes.
The chances for employment on the
Clearwater river seem to be gpod.lt is
reported that several hundred men will
be employed there this spring.
T. B. Walker is trying to outdo the
Government in civilizing the Indians
he employs a large number of them at
his lumbering camps on the Clearwa
ter river.
This reservation is without a far
mer a* present, and it is rumored that
Duncan McDougall a member of this
reservation and who is an old time
democrat is going to be appointed.
Ben. L. Fairbanks is now convales
ent, he puts on a very important look
when he tells the boys how bravely
and philosophically he received the in
formation that the chances for his re
covery were doubtful the boys how
ever, smile very audibly at his brave
ry.
Wm. Spears the live post trader of
Red Lake, made a flying trip down
here the present week on his way to
Crookston. If you want moose and elk
horns send in your orders to him, es
pecially for elk horns and they will be
promptly filled.
Frank Hume of Chicago, is visiting
friends and relatives here.
Old probabilities (Geogre Donnell)
says look out for a storm on or about
the sixth of April. And when George
says so, look out!
News in Brief.
Senator Sutton is harrowing his
soul and the souls of the thousands
of Tribune readers' by his wild wail
over the failure of prohibition in
Kansas and Iowa.
Mrs. Mary Grant Cramer, sister
of Gen. Grant, is lecturing in
Massachusetts under the auspices
of the Women's Christain Temper
ance union.
A fascinating but impecunious
clergyman of Detroit creates a sen
sation by marrying the rich widow
Mabley.
The Northern Pacific reduces
the minimum freight rate, and is
sues a special eastbound live stock
tariff.
The committee on military affa
irs refuse to recommend that a
branch of the national home for
disabled volunteers be located in
Minnesota.
In spite of four famines in India
in the last twenty-four years, which
killed off millions of the population,
the number of inhabitants steadily
increased as a whole.
She Shocked the Divine.
A prominent divine was the in
vited guest of Mr. B. and family.
Miss Alice, the charming daugh
ter of the host, was gracing the
festivity, and said impulsively.
"Oh, mother, I've been roasting
up in my room all the afternoon.
It's hotter than"
"Alice said the father, stern
ly.
I say it's hotter than"
"Alice said her mother ex
citedly, and the divine looked at
her in alarm.
I say it's hotter than I ever saw
it before, and I just sat there
without a thing on"
"Oh, Alice!" said her father in
alarm. This time the divine was
thoroughly frightened.
I say I just sat there," contin
ued the girl, not noticing the in
terruptions, "I just sat there* with
out a thing on except my very
lightest summer clothing, and
read my Bible all the afternoon.
Will you have some more soup,
doctor?"
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