^ HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 391 



There is no occasion to precipitate the technical, very vague, 

 and very unsubstantial condition of citizenship upon the people 

 of the Six Nations. It would only facilitate, while they are poor, 

 the transfer of their lands to hungry white men without benefit 

 to their people at large. . . The Six Nations will make better 

 citizens by a still longer struggle among themselves, if supported 

 generously and charitably by those who are their true friends. 



General Carrington gives sound reasons why citizenship and 

 partition should not be enforced or hastened, and it may be added 

 that some of the most advanced and intelligent Iroquois hold 

 the same opinions. They can not see what they would gain by 

 citizenship, and they realize the dangers and difficulties of par- 

 tition. One great difficulty comes in the line of descent. Mr 

 Jackson differed from General Carrington on the main question, 

 but admitted the difficulties. He said : 



In my opinion, the proper way to civilize the Indians of New 

 York is to secure a division of their lands in severalty, and place 

 them in full citizenship ; but there are many questions and diffi- 

 culties to be overcome before this can be done without injury to 

 the rights of the Indians. 



In the judgment of some who know the New York Iroquois 

 best, they have made a remarkable advance in the last half cen- 

 tury; and the future is full of hope for them if guidance and 

 aid are not replaced by unwise coercion. Many live well and 

 are highly esteemed. They are in demand in various industries, 

 and some judicious business training would increase the demand. 

 The growing contact with intelligent and reputable white people 

 is one important factor; the recognized advantages of essential 

 branches of education in business are telling favorably on the 

 question of schools. Old feasts and customs have lost their 

 hold, and dances which were once religious are now but frolics. 

 Church membership compares fairly with that of white com- 

 munities. The census of 1890 reported 12 church buildings, 18 

 ministers, and 1074 communicants in New York. In temper- 

 ance organizations they surpass their white neighbors. 



In the history now given this gradual change and progress 

 may be seen. .Many savage features had disappeared before 

 1800; and the Indians who had fought New York men a little 



