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Took An Oath On It

Took An Oath On It image
Parent Issue
Day
3
Month
August
Year
1888
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

Standing Rock Aoency, D. T., Aug. 1.- Yesterday's conference was by f ar the most important vet beid between the commissioners and the" Indians. It was the most interesting because new influences were brought to bear upon the Indians, and beeauso they showed more than ever their opposition to the treaty. Mouday night the Indians had a eouneil i;i which every one of their number over 18 years of age was present. Speeches more earnest u..d fiery than ever were made bythechiefs. After Gall, John Grass, Mad Bear and otbers of prominence hiid spoken a vote was taken on the acceptanee of tha treaty, and every dusky warrior shouted 'No!" Not satisñed with this the most solemn scène of the week was enacted, every ludían taking an oath to the Great Spirit that he would sigu no paper relative to tbo treaty; that he would sign neither tho black paper which meaut yes, nor the red papar which means no. Had the commissioners been coguizant of the facts when they met in conference yesterday they would not have been so hopeful. The cominissioners opened the conference promptly at 9 o'clock yesterday morning, all the Indians being present, including Sitting Buil, who arrived Monday evening. The old chief is sullen and reticent, but he informed an interpreter that he would nerer consent to the signing of the treaty by any of bis friends and tbat be thought the proposition was all in favor of tho white man. After opening tho conference Chairman Pratt introduced Governor Church, who arrived at the agency Monday evening. The governor spoke to the Indians for thirty minutes and delivered what was eonsidereda very convincing and efïective speech. He did all he could to convince the Indians that the treaty was in their best interests, and evideutiy made quite an impression upon their minds. Agent McLaugblin then spoke, and as he has the utmost confidence of the Indians it was thought he would be able to win them over in favor of treaty. He pleaded earnestly for the measure and was followed by Judge Wright, who occupied about thirty minutes. But all the speeches were without effect so far as the evidence of change could be f ound in the replies of the Indians. John Grass was the first of the Indians to reply. He said: "Why do you want our landá? Have you not euough land for the white people? Look across the river," pointing to the opposite side of the Missouri. "Y ou will sse a house here and there, miles apart; why do y our white people uot take that land and let us alone? You are not paying us enough for our land ; 50 cents an acre is not enough. Our land must be worth much to the white men, for when they first come here they are very poor and after they hftvfl haan hare soma time thev are fDOintina1 to the commissioners and the governor] dressed very welL I will not sigu either paper." Grass maintained his reputation as a speaker and won applause from the Indians. Mad Bear spoke next. He opposed the treaty stronly. Among other things be said in reply to the statements of theeomniissioners: "I do not believe the Great Fathar's heart will be bad if we do not sign, and I will not sign." This was pretty discouraging to the commissioners, but they will not give up yet, and will bold another conference. Sitting Buil said yesterday afternoon that he would not consent to the opening of the reservation. The chiefs informed the commissioners of the action of the Indians in taking an oath that they would not sign. All interest centers on Sitting Buil, but he refuws to have much to say. He would uot enter the circle yesterday, but sat outside on bis pony with Rain-in-the-Face, who also declined to become a part of the circle. Sitting Buil. Rain-in-tlie Face, Long Dog, aud Circling Baar are the most bitter of the Indians, and those who think they have no influence among tlieir people are mistaken. It is worthy of consideration that withiu a few hours after the time of Sitting Bull's arrival at the agency the oath to the Great Spirit was taken, and as Sitting Buil was the medicine man of tbe nation during the great lndian wars, tbis is knovrn to be oue of bis táctica in controlling the tribes. Sitting Buil did not propose tae oath in open council, but his emissaries were sprinkled through the circle and did this work. Thore has been much disappointment among visitors who have been desirous of hearing Gall spaak. He has thus far spoken but a few words to the commissioners. It looks as though he bas said all that be intends to say to them. He does his speaking iu the lndian council, where be is tbe greatest leader in tbe nation. He sits in the conference as a mighty watch-dog to see that his followers do not waver. Sitting Buil will not have much to say until there is evidence that the Iudians may sign, and then he will be beard from. It was expected that Running Antelope would be friendly to the proposltion. He has always been friendly to the whites and was at one time considered the fiuest orator of the Sioux nation. In his case the commissioners have also been disappointed, as be is strongly opposed to the treaty. Red Cioud, thü great chief of the Pine Ridge Sioux agency, is stil! industriously at work among the tribes stirring up opposition, and he can not be sappressed. Sitting Buil and Red Cloud were the leaders in a movement several months ago to go to Washington with a delegation of Indiaus to talk to the president on the treaty. They said they were willing to pay all of tlieir own expenses iu order to talk directly to tbe president, as they feared being deceived by the commissioners. Having been refused tbis privilege, they are greatly incensed, and this is one of tbe secrets of their bitter opposition.

Article

Subjects
Ann Arbor Argus
Old News