Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-03-28

ant to a call in the papers from a committee con-
sstng OF J. Beeson, A. Dart, f.. White and C
Townsend quite numbe. Of persons collected al
Odd Fellows Hall last evening to hear set forth
the grievances, &c, Of the various Indian tribes
The meeting having been advertised as free, the
trustee Of the hall seemed to have some doubt
with regard to the forthcoming compensation for
the use Of said hall, gas and other appurtenances
and not until some time after the hour announced
for the doors to be opened was the committee
granted the occupation Of the building; while in
the meantime the curious who were focking IN
would anxiously glance at the dark windows
and with uncomplimentsry illusions to Indian
affairs IN general pass on to make room for others
TO enjoy the same sensation Of disappointment
The hall having been opened at last a toierably
large collection Of people assembled and about
nall PAST eight the performances commenced.
Jndge j. Bravton was elected chairman Of the
meeting, ana Henry Janney, Esq secretary
Larooqua (of the Penobscot Indians) then sang,
IN taking style, "The Red, White and Biue,'
which brought down the house In applause
The chair then introduced to the audience John
Beeson, Esq who gave narrative of the wrongs
Pracrced upon the Indians by designing men,
sent out as agents by the Government, and ex-
planned how they might be redressed He had
Travelled extensively among the various tribes Of
orr continent. and had always found them pa Bile
of attaining the highest state Of civilization They
were noted for their good singers and MANY Of
The III 0es have churches, schools asynms for the
poor, and other advantages Of civilized life
several Indians were In the employ of the Govern
ment as civil engineers, and In some of the States
they were employed teachers of music and
leaders OF church choirs. He also read extracts
from New York papers, showing the trickery of
Indians were robbed Of the mooev annronriated
Ior their dement, by Congress. they never received
more than one third Of tie money appropriated
ara tne white men In the West would steal the
CIo1nIos sent out W the Indians, leaving them the
poorest, and br.t little Of that There was prac-
uCe ol the blankets into strips and instead
vi % CIV ing each Indian a whole blanket, as pro-
" I'D by Government. they would only get mar.
not lar 10
wing down Sometimes each blanket was cut
into as many as fourteen strips, each Indian
ceiving but one.
The +" Indians LAMENT was then sung by
Iarocqua in affecting manner; after which
Peter Fulson, Choctaw chief, addressed the
meeting. He felt that he should make an apology
before speaking, not being prepared to say any
thing upon the subject, and having no idea of ad-
dressing them when he entered the ball. He did
not know much Of the Penobscot tribe, to which
Red Feather and his wife (Larooqua) belonged,
as be lived in another part Of the country-Arkan-
sas-but would give them a brief statement of the
condition of his own tribe. When they lived in
Mississippi the white men came TO them and told
them that In the West they would find buffalo
and deer, and wild game in abundance; but when
they got out there they found but little and finally
became farmers ard stock raisers, and built up
churches and schools, &c. and now all they asked
was that the white man would let them alone.
While they lived by themselves they became
cbristianiZed under the teachings of their mis-
sonarles; but as soon the white man came
hLcLA NC "OuIu tdhe every duVdnIdSe OF
them, and by their wrongs excite the Indians to
anger and crime. He had not the least doubt but
that the CboCtaws would eventually attain to the
same level Of the whites II designing men would
let their people alone. That was their aim and
intenton, and he was confident Of success. He
attended Baptist Association in Memphis and
told them that the Choctaws had always been.ths
friend OF the white men. They had stood by
them in their youth, and had fought their battles
oy their side. When the whites were weak their
IOrefathers had helped them, and had been ia tn
fuij and now after they had driven their offspring
ana children from their homes and the graves Of
their fathers into the far West, and they were
working out their own civilization among them
selves, they cried out to white people: Come
over and help US" They wanted missionaries
and money, and the COO peration Of christian white
people: Nothing but christianity would bring
out and develop the capabilities Of the Indians
he believed In the prophecy of the promised
millennium, and that II was about 10 dawn on the
Indian race, and the white man would learn to lay
aside his prejudices and take them by the hand as
brothers.
Another song was then given by Larooqua, and
few remarks by DR.. White, and the exercises
closed with the Indians Funeral Ode" by Red
Feather and Larooqua together.