The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-06-08
Letter from Washington,
WASHINGTON, d. c., June 4, 1870

NASAhNuIoN, ~. u, June 4, 1870.
MIR. "LO's" NEW CHAMPION.
The most effective friend of the Indian who
has appeared in Congress. of late is your Sena-
tor-Gov. Morrill,. During the debate on the
appropriation bill the Senator has not only
expressed with yigor the generous charity felt
towards the red men by the Eastern commu-
mites, but he has shown practical knowI-
edge of the subject quite refreshing when
found in an Eastern man. He has criticised
details and opposed appropriations with full
ness and clearness of Information which has
rather surprised those who imagine them
selves alone to be masters of this question.
Red Cloud and his party of Ogalalla Sioux
braves are the latest sensation. There is a
good deal of fun had over the speeches made
yesterday to and by him. The Sioux warrior
secured the first innings in the game of Ell
quettc. Unexpectedly, and evidently because
he desired to rebuke what might be deemed a
want of courtesy, the Sioux chief made
brief speech, which was a sharp yet dignified
rebukc of the failure of such chiefs as Gen.
Parker and Secretary Cox to call, upon his
arrival here. The Sioux chief made nice
distinction, in referring to his having come
long ways to see the Great Father, but that
when here none came to see him, evidently
referring to those there before him. He made
nice distinction, and had to have his rufled
plumes smoothed down.
Red Cloud and Spotted Tail with their at
tendant chiefs are physically remarkably
fine looking body of men. There is not one,
as far as have seen them, under six feet and
majority are several inches above, Red Cloud
himself being six feet six six inches in height
Spotted Tail is considered to be the equal in
every personal respect of his more powerful
associate. Both Indians and those who are
with them are, if physically large, intensely
savage and ugly looking in face and feature
No one can get up any romance over these
specimens. They are unmtigated looking
savages as well as formidable warriors Red
Clouds force is set down at 10000. The
Sioux nation numbers about $4,000 persons.
| divided into some thirty or more tribes There
| are about 10000 in Nebraska, small band or
| two with the Arapahoes and Cheyennes, but
| the great body are in Dacotah. About five
| thousand in all are located on reservations.
| and of the remainder there are some ten or
| twelve who .have never been in treaty with
| the government. These are Red Clouds peo-
pie. About $4,000 are now receiving rations
at the different military posts on the Upper
Missouri and Yellowstone rivers. The
Sioux have been called the Apaches of the
North, and deserve the name, if it is used
as synonym of savage courage and
unmitigated cruelty. They were the
real authors and perpetrators of the Minneso-
ia massacre of 1868, and have been until last
year in constant war. Probably Gen. Sully
gave them good taste of the "long knives"
quality, and this has had the effect of inclin-
| ing Red Cloud to the Capital. 1t is declared
that the Sioux have increased in numbers of
| late years, being the only Indians on the con-
tinent of whom this can be said. 1t is a good
thing to impress Red Cloud with our num-
bers and power, and it is better one to deal
in every way justly by them. Mr.. Morrilrs
figures, relating to the cost OF our Indian wars
since 1867, are startling enough to induce us
to take every reasonable means to not simply
conciliate the Sioux leader here if possible.
but impress him thoroughly with a sense of
our power and numbers. Three Thousand
Indian warriors are enemies not to be despis-
ed and If all the Sioux are under his leader
ship there are not less than eight or ten
thousand to encounter. We have fought and
defeated them and can do it again, but the
cost is too great, in lives and money, not to
avoid a recurrence of it, if possible
THE SHIPPING INTERESTS.
The cabal that recently defeated Mr. Lynch's
bill seem inclined now to excuse their fac
tious conduct and strangely indefensible vote
Just as they were in great par instigated
thereto by jealousy, they are now seeking TO
avoid the logic of their contradictory will by
declaring that Mr.. Lynch's ill temper was the
cause of his defeat. 1t is poor and paltry
excuse, proven to be so by the fact that on
Thursday afternoon week, Mr.. Lynch could
have carried the bill under just such vigorous
attack on them as might have been reasona-
bly, termed temper, had it not been for the
regular hour of adjournment having arrived
1t is understood that the cabal who profess to
lead the House, now declare their willingness
to pass the bill of Mr.. Chandler, the chief
provisions of which are taken from the report
made by Mr.. Lynch's Committee There is
no probability of foreign ships being admitted
to American register, even with Senator Chan
dler's muscular support.
The votes in favor of admitting foreign ships
to American register were divided sectionally
as follows: Iowa 3, Missouri 8, Kansas 1, Wis
consn 1, Indiana 8, 6 being Republican, Hi
nois s, 5 of them Republicans, Minnesota 2,
New York 6, one being Republican, New York
2, one of each party, Texas 2, Virginia 1, Lou
isiana l, Tennessee 2, West Virginia 1, all
Republicans, Kentucky g. Maryland 2, Della
ware 1, and Alabama 3, all Democrats. There
were Al Republicans and So Democrats. Of
those thus voting, only eight Republicans vot-
ed to allow American mechanics the importa-
ton of foreign material, through the draw
backs; while IA Democrats voted for the
amended bill. Such votes need defence but
can h. rIIu ohtaip