yet he is well endowed by nature with brains
and heart and conscience. He is clear-headed and generous; he is
often affectionate in his family; he is capable of becoming
industrious, conscientious, scholarly, and thoroughly consecrated. If
his wild life has affected him unfavorably, it has not done him the
same kind of harm that slavery has to the colored man. He is not
crushed in spirit and ambition as was the colored slave at the time
of the civil war.

[Illustration: INDIAN WOMAN AT FORT BERTHOLD.]

[Illustration: INDIAN LODGE AT FORT BERTHOLD.]

2. There, as elsewhere, the gospel proves the most efficient
instrumentality. The United States Government is doing a noble work
for the elevation of the race by introducing the agencies of
civilization. The Indian agents in Dakota are, as a rule, noble men,
vieing with the missionaries in endeavors to benefit the race. The
Board of Indian Commissioners are deserving of all praise for their
great services. The present system of Government management in
establishing schools, in encouraging agriculture, in discountenancing
savage practices, in stimulating the home-life, is most admirable.
But Christian efforts are yet more efficacious. It is where the
gospel has sway the longest, or has been the chief influence, that
the Indians are the most elevated.

[Illustration: SANTEE INDIANS TEN YEARS AGO.]

3. It cannot be questioned that we have come to a new stage in Indian
affairs. At last there is throughout the country almost complete
control of the wild Indians. The day of Indian wars is over. We may
very likely never have another. Now that the buffalo has largely
disappeared, the Indian is dependent on the Government supplies for
food and clothing, unless, like the white man, he resorts to
agriculture. In consequence, without any large display of military
force, the Indian agents are able to preserve excellent order on the
reservations. The Indians feel their dependence and recognize the
power of the Government. If fairly treated by the white man they will
give us little trouble hereafter. It is easy to see that
modifications in their condition, all looking toward civilization,
are constantly taking place. They are giving up their Indian dress.
It is now rare to find an Indian whose dress is not in some way
conformed to the white man's. They are learning the comforts of
civilization through the supplies from Government, and welcome the
frame house, the sugar and syrup, t