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, the flour and beans, the tools and clothing which come to them from this source. They feel the pressure of the white population crowding upon them from every side. They see their wild life is a thing of the past, and while there are selfish, vicious, superstitious and conservative influences strongly at work against the change, still the change goes on. Their more thoughtful men, perceiving the necessity of the change and recognizing its advantage, are urging the establishment of schools and churches among them. There can be little doubt that as these processes continue the tribal relation will eventually cease, the reservation system will be abandoned, the Indian will come under ordinary laws, he will be assigned land in severalty, will cultivate it for his support, and become citizen. Already this is true of many Indians, and the day is not far distant--I venture to prophesy that it is within the next twenty years--when, if these influences continue, the Indian will be so thoroughly absorbed among his white brethren that as a separate race he will be lost to sight, and the Indian question will be a question no more. [Illustration: INDIAN IN NATIVE DRESS, FORT BERTHOLD.]