Indian Education

"Thtí Aiiioncau ludían rrublciu was ; the subject of discussion al the National Educational convention at Occan Grove N. J. the other day. During tho discussion a lottcr was rcad froni tho Socrotaryof the Interior, in which ho said: "I think ït may bo assuuiod that il has bccu fully doinonstratcd that the Indian can bo cducated. If tho iudian mind is largely a blank, it rcadily takes tho irupressions sought to bo stainped ou it, whether tho lessous are intclloctual or physical. His moral preceptions are not as sensitivo as his mental. The numbor of successful Indiau schools now undor the control of tlio Interior Department, tho almost universal domand that cornos up froin Indiana all over tho country for such school facilities, is most encouraging to tho frionds of Indian cducatiou. If ft sufliciont number of manual labor schools can bo established to give to each youlhtho advantages of from three to iive yoars of schooüng, tho nest generation will hear nothing of this diflicult problem, and wo may leave the Indian to caro for himsolf. During the last year schools have boen established at Lawrenco, Kansas; Genoa, Nobraska; anS Chilocco, Indian Torritory; all to bo cónducted on the plan of thoso at Carlislo, Hámpton and Forest Grove. It is oxpected that these schools will próvido for the education of 600 or 700 children. About 450 will be placed m manual-labor schools in various states to bocome tho associates of white children of thcir own ago. Thero will bo in all the manual schools about 2,461 children, and at tho agoncy schools about 1,820, and at tho boarding schools about 1,971, making a total in school of 6,255 out of a school population of nearly 40,000. Tho number of childrou that may bc put in manual labor schools is limited only by tho provisión mado for their support. If Congross will inercaso tho appropriation for that purposo, tho departmont will lind uo diiliculty in securing the attondanco of the enfloren. If we put live per cent of tbc Indian youths iu ticliool and return them at the oud of Ihrco or four yoars to the tribo, thcy will bo unablo to withstand tho ovil influcuces that surround thom, and thoy will ïuake no impression on thoir heathenish associatcs. But if, on tho other hand, iho government will edúcate 80 or 40 per cent of tho children, tho minority wilh thcir buporior knswledge, having cnough associates to form thoir own society, will conquor and subduetho greater number of ïgaorant youths. Tho timo has como when this work can bc wcll and cheaply done.1"