The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-03-02
l. OCAL MATT f. II S .

dian Affairs Colonel LUKE LEA) and the delega
ton of Omaha Indians who have been soJournins
in this city for some weeks past.
Colonel LEA, in addressing these Indians
(through an interpreter said he had invited then
to this interview, previous to their departure fol
their home, to express regret that they were az
long absent from their friends. 1t was no fault O
himself or the Great Father, (the President
When Indians come here by invitation the Grca
Father has every thing prepared for them in anti
cipation. and evory thing goes right; but wher
they come unbidden, things work badly In tn.
present case, however, the best had been done tina
could be done under the circumstances He had
learned they were about setting out for home, ano
he (Mr Lea) desired to say something to them
that they might communicate it to their red breth.
rem and the whites, when they return He had
listened attentvely to their complaints at previous
interviews, and he was grieved to hear of their
troubles
Your visit here has at least given YOU an oppor-
tunity of forming idea oil the vastness of our
country, ITS power, its people, its improvements
and an opportunity Of seeing jour Great Father
who has many interests TO attend to. As his (Mr
Lea's) special business was to look after our red
children, he therefore felt deep interest in every
| thing connected with them; and it always rem
dered him unhappy to hear of their discon tents or
that they were not doing well. He was always
sorry Tor their Notwithstanding heart to feel
Tor them, and Willingness to do all in his power
for their relief He therefore felt deeply solicitous
| in behalf OF the Omahas. He had told them on a
| previous occasion, that he would see what beat
could be done for them. He had kept his word ;
had studied as to what most expedient could be
done 10 put end TO their troubles and suern gs
4 After having thus reflected, he desired TO give
| them the result Of his mind. You cannot said
MIR. Lea, much longer live as you have done for
years past. You must change your habits of life
The time has been, many years ago, when you
could comfortably provide Tor yourselves and fami-
lies by pursuits of the chase. But not go now and
will never be so again. Your condition must con.
tinue to get worse and worse every year unless
IKE the white man, you look TO the fruits of the
EARTH rather than the chase for future subsistence
This, he was pleased TO learn, the Omahas were
willing TO do-to seek of their mother earth the
means Of support.
Dir. Lea said that whilst he was convinced of the
TACT that they must work and cultivate the soil or
| starve, he was aware that they needed the aid OF
the Government to enable them TO do so properly
and prosperously. He had, therefore, determined
to apply to Congress-the great National Council
OF the white man-for money to buy ploughs, hoos
and other agricultural implements which thew
would need when they set about cultivating the
soil. Mt. l.. said it not in his power or that
OF the President, 10 use the public money except
by assent of the Great Council; but he had no doubt
that the Great Council, like the Great Father and
himself felt an interest in the welfare of the oma-
has, and would furnish them with the means of
making them happy and prosperous, by means of
agriculture, as their white brothers now ara all
over this widespread country.
If the Great Council should agree TO what he
! asked, arrangements would be made for the Oma-
has, from year 10 year, to bave them provided with
the means OF improving their condition, and ad-
vsncing their happiness. You ought 70 know
(said Mr.. L. as men Of sense, and such he took
them to be, that all this cannot be done in a month
h,,, q 49, 4,
you are at home, in council, you do not act like
children, in hasto-but you deliberate think and
then act. IL takes years TO grow from child TO
manhood. SO it will require perhap, years for the
Omahas to relieve themselves from exiting EN-.
oarrassments To a more happy and prosperous
condition. He therefore asked them 10 be patient.
and TO rely upon the earnest desire Of their Great
Father 10 promote their interest. and in due time
they would reap rich reward.
He wished particularly TO remind them that
Wills, the Great Father, the Great Council, and
himself, were and would remain their warm friends
they possessed the power TO do them great HARM as
well as great good; and they have seen enough
TO be satisfied tina, If driven 10 become enemies the
Omahhs could easily be destroyed IL wac there
lore essential 20 the interest OF the Omahas that thew
preserve themselves in peace. If they have wrongs
20 complain Of IL lie fault Of the Great Father or
those who act with him. He would have them, then
tell their people that all il-conduct towards them il
offensive, and every effort should be made 20 rcm,
4
your people they must be patient, pcaccablc and
friendly. II so, the time is not far distant when
they will see and feel that the Great Father !s their
beat friend.
MIR. l. said IL had panied him TO hear as ne had
done, within few day. past, that they (these
decgates) had made threats as 10 what thew would
do when they returned home, If something was
not done for them before they left I tell YOU
frankly, (said Mr. Id if you go home, and at
tempt TO excite strife among your people il were
better 90 not At all I
pursue such course, u will certainly result in
serious trouble TO yourselves and people lie an.
pealed to them, as friend and father anxious for
their welfare, TO e1pc from their breasts all feel
ings OF evil; and TO 60 back and urge their people
to live in peace. War (said Mr. IL is distastefuI
to your white father, ana It is frowned on by tho
Great Spirit, and will only be invoked to punish
wrong doors or to correct evil spirits
lie had understood they had expressed wish
TO be furnished with clothing like their white
brothers; and, ne further evidence Of his kind.
meas towards them, he would so provide for them:
but he wished them 20 assure him that when thus
dressed they would act like white men. and not
like sayagos-or, If they wished at any time Ia
Indian costume. In this new dress. he would have
them recollect, when afar of, that they were tho
kindly gifts Of their white iathor-the Commits
goner Of Indian Ahars; and he would have them
tell their people the circumstances under which
they given.
Your white friends, (said Mr. l.. } who conduct.
cd you 70 Washington, are under obligations 20
zee you safe home, and will do 80. He desired
them early 20 return, and hoped tho advice he had
given them would be productive of much guod 10
them and their people; assuring them that il will
be their own fault if they not more pros porous
and happy in the future.
Mr.. Lea said he intended TO give each OF the
Omahas present medal; and upon the appearance
OF the silvery gttering medals, new lie seemed
70 possess the oxpectants
Mr.. l., in presenting the medals, abiding TO
the omblems upon them. said, that il the face of
your and our Great Father-the President of Tho
United States beneath il is the motto. Labor.
virtue, honor" the meaning Of which is that Ia
Dor and virtue lead 10 honor. These three little
words tell how our Great Father won his way TO
high honors. Bys life OF labor and virtue ne has
bscn called to preside our G rest Chief
| MIR. Lea, in adjusting medal around the neck
Of chief invoked him TO retain II there long as
he should prove good Indian and true man;
but if ever he should feel dsposed 20 tear or dis.
honor the flag, represented upon the mcdal) to
take il of, and give 1t to some person who would
preserve II in honor. lie wished all 90 bear in
mind his words
WHITE BUFFALO responded, by saying they
were well satisfied; the talk with their father on
his occasion had given them now hearts-good
hearts He desired their interpreter should be pro.
yided for; he desired he should remain with them.
his chiei said that, when his father was dying he