The New York herald., 1874-09-19

portunity TO make my views known to some one
who VIII not misrepreseht them. and rely upon
your doing wnat is right in your great captain
paper. have confidence In you and you are the
nrst newspaper captain met that liked.
CoRREsPoNDENr-What do you think Of the dis
arming OF all Indians, except to be allowed TO
keep their bows and arrows; and could they not
even get along without them satisfactorily
KICKING BIRD do not think 1t Is right For
long time before they saw the white man they had
their bows and arrows. Afterward they were
taught by the white people whom they met out In
the western country TO carry gun and pistol
and they nave become as dear TO them their
bows and arrows were long before they knew the
use OF gun They were issued. 10 them years ago
by their agents and by the Great Fathers order at
Washington, and the last few years they have
been sold TO them by their traders legltimately;
and now TO take them away and leave them with
out anything at all would cause an ill-leelipg
among the Indians. Now they don't come In with
their arms, ana washington has placed these ra-
tons here for them and everything goes on right
with the exception OF this guard That Is one thing
which do not think is right. We leave our arms
on the other side OF the river or at the place desig-
mated by the agent, and come in without them.
The women go up to draw their rations with fear.
They draw their rations with fear, and do not
come in as they used TO when there was no guard
Our Great Father has laid out road for u.s. and
everything asked OF us we are willing to do
and are doing. We do not intend to devlate. and
are going now to try and do what our Great
Father asks US to do, and to walt for him to do
something for us.
THE QUESTION OF THE RACES
CORREsPoNDENT-Does not the Indian really hate
the white man in his heart, and 10 not this SO
strongly born In him that as general rule 1t
would be impossible to secure for the white man
the true and lasting friendship OF the Indian
KICKING BIRD-For long time that Is exactly
the way we were and were taught TO feel from In
fancy; but since we have been taken hold OF by
the white man that is not the leeling-it is extinct.
1t is not Impossible to secure the true and lasting
friendship OF the Indian; tnat can be taught as
well as anything else, II the proper way is carried
out.
CoRREsroNDENr-what If any, are hereditary
and deep seated grievances which the Indian eels
against the white mann
KICKING BIRD-A long time ago it was our way
to be at war with the white man, and we roamed
at will and had no one TO take us by the hand and
teach us the way OF the white man. This feeling
was born In US. and here recently, since the gov
ernment has taken hold OF u.s. sent their agents
out to teach US the way of the white man, there
are some OF US who are willing and trying to DO
what Is right. We have met the white man and
made war on him and he has on us, and we have
been brought up TO feel general disposition Of
antagonism to him. This is all.
CORREsPoNDENT-Cannot the Indian be made to
change h habits from those OF a hunting, rowing
disposition to regular settled down system Of
farming and working, so as to support himself and
make money like the white manf
KICKING BIRD-TO hunt the buffalo and deer and
to fish and follow up the wild lie we nave
always led has been our nature 1t is only OF late
years that our Great Father has taken US by the
hand, and he told US to come along slow and sure,
and learn little by little. Now we are on our way,
and are willing TO be taught and make corn, live
in houses and settle down like a white man;
would like to have money like the white man,
and to live and do with it just as We please.
CoRREsPONDENT-Would not the wild Indians If
their chiefs advised It, gradually settle down and
grow corn and other articles necessary for their
living and give up their habits OF carrying mur-
derous weapons?
KICKING BIKD-There are some OF the Indians
the wild fellows, who listened to their Chiefs who
pleaded lor peace, and there were some for war;
and already know the result every day. We are
working on the white mans road, coming here to
answer rolca and to be inspected by the agent,
and lie has told us that is the way for to learn
the way OF the white man and 10 maintain our
selves. and that is the first step. That after we
have compiled with that there would be some.
thing else given us TO do. You can see by this
enrolment what influence we chiefs have with the
young men, which l regard as effective, and the
young men who are In here with us are accus-
toned to look up to US as the white man does to
his great men. We are chosen and put up to
make the way for them.
CoRREsPONDENT-Hav you any complaints
against those who appointed to assist you
first, in the agency, ana, second, among the mill
tary2
KICKING Bird know that our agent has done
everything for the best. Whatever favor we have
asked OF him he has always been willing to do and
whenever we have done wrong anything that
didn't suit him be has always told us; ana what
ever the Great Father has told The agent to tell US
he has always helped us 10 do AS far as we know
he has never deviated from what the Great Father
has told US. Our agent has never been tired of
listening to us, or helping US to do right, and
want everybody to know as well as the Great
Father that we love and respect him.
CORREsPoNDENT-Do you get enough to eat, ac.
cordng to what you understand you and your peo-
pie are entitled tor
KICKING Bird do not think the present ration
is enough. There are great many to feed, and
the present ration is run out before the time comes
round to get another There is not ration day
comes but before 1t followed by the next we have
not enough to get round. The -four get is not half
the time fit to eat and sarcastically) they expect
us to eat the sack some times (and to the inter-
prefer, "You know well how this is'D. II Congress
will Increase the ration we Will have no desire to
go out ana wreste for ourselves, for we can then
get along as to eating. General Sheridan favors
the increase OF ratiOnl
A POSER FOR KICKING BIRD.
CORREsPoNDENT-YOu have the reputation OF
being very brave, wise and honorable man.
what do you wish to say through the HERALD to
the President and Cabinet members OF Congress
and the American people as to what IS required TO
make you happy Please give me your IDEA in an
honest manly way.
KICKING BIRD (thoughtmlly and with his pecu-
liar cough)-i have never seen the President, but
have received MS letters and shaken hands with
him through them since have been trying to do
what he wants. have a great desire to see him,
so as he can see ME, and we can look each other