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[[preprint]] 114 [[/preprint]]

8.

500. and 450 or more attend the church, yet the affairs of this
vicinity are taken entirely out of the hands of the Christian 
Element.  I wish I had time to tell you of the persecutions which have
been put upon the Christian native pastor here, by the Agent.  It has been the custom to cross these people.  Men who are starting in a manly Christian life are not as convenient tools for a petty tyrant, as are others of a different class, and this latter have been chosen to serve the Agent & make the struggle of the advancing Indian all the harder.  If these Indians, here at Kamiah, for example were permitted to [[strikeout]] vote for [[/strikeout]] elect their officers, the men who are tools would have little chance to rule.  The plan put in force on this reservation, would, if the elections were & [[allowed to be]] honest, free the people from a tyrany they cannot escape as long as the class of men are their agents who have been over them for the past decade or more.  It would be worthwhile if it could be only that, but the gain I propose stretches far beyond any present amelioration. it is to fit the people by self-government, to become intelligent in the matters which citizenship will soon entail upon them.  They will be less likely to fall a prey to designing men, if they have had some experience in voting & choosing their own officers, while yet they are under the care of the Department.

Transcription Notes:
tyranny, not tyrant, clearly a 'y'