The national Republican., 1861-03-28

lows Hall last evening, Ito consider the best
means to preserve our frontier Indians and
settlers from the horrors Of savage warfare"
The meeting was quite largely attended, a
good proportion Of those present being ladies. |
The meeting was called to order by Mr.. John |
Beeson, who proceeded to state its object. They
had met to inquire into the cause Of the pres
ent unfortunate state Of the Indians, and, il
possible, to find out the true remedy. Mr.. |
Isaac Brayton was chosen chairman of the |
meeting, and Mr.. Henry Janney secretary.
Mr.. Beeson then proceeded to recapitulate
many of the errors the public at large had
fallen into concerning the Indians, and pro.
ceeded to correct them. He had but day or
two previously visited the Smithsonian gallery,
and gazed upon the many pictures of the wild
sons Of the forest with which those walls were
strewn, and it then seemed to him as if some
Of them were ready to open their mouths and
inquire, imploringly, II, within century to
come, their race was To perish through starva.
ton, through pestience, and through robbery.
He then spoke of the love of harmony which
characterized the Indians, as illustrated in their
love of nature, in their simple dress, in their
music, and in their desire for peace Penn
came among them, and through all his life
peace reigned. 1t was the same when Roger
Williams came among them. In no instance
were they known 10 break treaty or com.
mence hostilities. The time would come when
they would command the confidence and re-
spect Of the whole civilized world. He hoped
it would come soon.
Peter Fulsom, chief Of the Choctaw tribe,
then proceeded briefly to address the audience.
He came from the western part of the State of
Arkansas. He asked that their white brothers
would lend them helping hand in their desire
L.. 49, c..I d.. Al-k
they would at least let them alone, that they
nigh live peaceably together. The white peo.
pie were smarter than the people of his race,
and consequently were enabled to take advan,
tage of them; but he hoped that such arrange
ments would be made as would render that
impossible for the future. Their own brethren
were trying to civilize them as fast as possible.
They had preachers and teachers among them,
who were willing to labor for their advance
ment 1t was time now to lay all prejudices
aside. Nothing but Christianity had brought
over our nation head nothing but Christian.
ity was needed for the salvation of the Indian
DR.. White followed briefly. A distinguished
Senator had said to him, few days since, the
extinction of the Indian race was only o mat
ter of time. Allowing this to be so, was it
proper to hasten that extinction2 1t was an
easy thing to Christianize the Indian. The
settlers on our Western borders, and the rowing
bands of traders, were those who destroyed
them but under Father Abraham he hoped it
would be different. Great applause.
Larooqua, the Indian songstress, sang Go
lumbia, the Gem of the Ocean," the "Indian
Lament" and Faded Flowers" in most beau.
tiful style, and, with Red Feather, her hus.
band, the "Funeral Ode "a most affecting
| piece.
Mr.. Beeson announced that another meet.
ing would take place at the same Hall on Fri.
day evening; and the meeting then adjourned,
after a collection had been taken up for the
benefit Of Red Feather and his wife and chill.
dren.
PRESENTATION OF WATCH.-Quite an in
teresting affair came off last evening at the Co
lumbian Armory, the occasion being the pre-
sentation of a handsome gold watch to Sergeant
G. II. Pierce, Of the Sappers and Miners, by the
officers and members of Companies A and B
including also Company C, of the Navy Yard
commanded by Captain McKim, were drawn W
in line, when Captain P. Fl. King, of COMPANY
B, advanced, and, in few appropriate remarks
made the presentation. Sergeant Pierce brief
responded, thanking them for the gift, ant
pledging himself that, as he owed all to hi
country, he would ever be ready, should it b
necessary, to lay down his life in its defence.
The watch is tne gold hunting one, and o.
the inner side of the case has the inscription
! Presented to Sergeant c. II. Pierce, U. S. A
by Companies A and B, National Guard Ba
talon, March u, 1861"
After the presentation, the battalion wa
taken command of by Sergeant Pierce, an
marched out on our principal streets, wher
they went through variety Of movements in
highly creditable manner.
ATTEMPTED REVOLT IN THE PENITENTIARY.-
A revolt was nearly consummated on Sunda
morning last at the U. s. Penitentiary. Tn
plan of operation was rather poor one. o
marching from the dining hall, some thirty Q
, forty prisoners had so arranged themselves i
line that in going to the chapel, and passin
. the iron door leading to the large wareroon
s they were to rush through into the hall an
2 shut the door, which would have fastened u
E the officers inside. They then intended to a
, tack the front iron door, knock the turnke
Q down, seize the revolvers from case in tn
:. guard room, and then escape out in front. Th
Y warden was put in possession Of the intent {
revolt by some of the convicts who had bee
consulted in the matter. The warden, no,
ever, was in time for the plot; he ordered ever
d officer to be on the alert, and well armed
r also informed Majo Ramsey of the matte
r who very generously ordered two sentinels
r front Of the building, and stationed thirty
e forty men at the Arsenal gate, short distane
e from the prison, and in the event of a revol
q the sentinel signal was to be given, when Il
# main body was to advance, the gallant Maj,
:. being ready to lead them on. Revolts occur
$ all penitentiaries, but rarely in the Distri
d prison. The main cause Of the present q
y tempt was, that number of the convict
9 through their outside relatives and friends, hs
il petitioned ex President Buchanan for pardon
}, came can quite apparent, and still seems to exist.
T. The building is quite inadequate for IL
e large number Of convicts-the present numb
e is $50, while there arc ONLY $50 cells. In a