Plans for Improving the Natives. 43 



military withdrew, ami the moral landscape was relieved of that grim shade. 

 No civil law took the place of the military rule. But l^rovidence stretched 

 forth another agency to check lawlt;ssness and to dry up soinces of crime, and 

 introvluce 



TilE TRUE PRINCIPLES OF CIVILIZATION. 



By the exhibition of Christian character in word and deed, we won the con- 

 fidence of the natives, and found the way to their hearts. They felt the need 

 of friends, and at once responded . to the voice of kindness, confirmed by phil- 

 anthropic deeds. The strongest power at Sitka was moalr ; and it served the 

 purposes of a municipal police, as lori;j as our school continued there. It kept 

 the peace, checking even the most turbulent, and ruling down the spirit of 

 riot, and the passion for revenge. As bayonets and batteries disappear, 



AN EDUCATED CHRISTIAN WOMAN 



enters the scene, and at once and without knowing it, commands the situations 

 J. S'. Oakford, Esq., an English tourist, a gentleman of world-wide observa. 

 tion, ••emarked of our teacher, "Miss Kellogg is the most powerful person in 

 .A.laska. The Indians will do whatever she wishes." As an example of her 

 influence, she arrested a murderous fight, which enlisted the whole tribe, as its 

 involved a violation of some of their most cherished customs. The occasion 

 was a severe test, since she did not venture upon the scene, but simply and re- 

 peatedly sent the dispatch, " No fight." 



THE STRONGEST POWER AT FORT WRANGEL 



also was moral. Bitter disputes which had occasioned bloodshed and demand- 

 ed life for atonement, were referred to Mr. Mallory, who was the first of our 

 missionaries, with the promise that his decision should be final; and it was 

 final. Mrs. McFarland, like Miss Kellogg, passed through the most trying 

 ordeals in checking customs of foul injustice and often leading to murder ; 

 and she came 6ft conqueror.' 



I must also mention one of several examples of the same prevailing influ- 

 ence wielded by Mr. Young. The Stahkeens assembled for the purpose of 

 discussing ways and means for sustaining the prestige and influence of ancient 

 games and customs, among the most deadly of which was witchcraft. The 

 evil of these Mr. Young had unsparingly exposed. He called a council, and 

 during his speech was interrupted with violent demonstrations by a counsellor of 

 the hyas lyhee. Mr. Young thrust him down into his seal saying, " Be still, 

 I have the floor,'" and then finished his address without further disturbance. 

 This bold stroke, di.-jjlaying at once the spirit of intrepidity and command, 

 overawed the opposition, and greatly strengthened the friends of the new order 

 of things, which our mission had introduced. Shustack, an old man, one of 

 the supreme chiefs, and a few of the most influential men of the Stahkeen 

 tribe, were much displeased, and resolved to adhere at all hazards to the ancient 

 regime. 



I heard but one opinion expressed of Mr. Young's course, and that was com. 

 mendatory in a high degree. He has acquired over the natives an influence 



