The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1875-05-27
denomination of Governor
Hartranft.
A sound Platform.

Washington. May 26.-The Sioux
Indian delegation called, to-day, upon
the President, by appointment, ac-
Companied by Gen. Cowan, Acting
Secretary of the Interior, and Mr..
Smith, Commissioner of Indian
Affairs, and were received by the Pre-
sident in his private Office. AS the
Indians entered, each advanced to the
President, and, being presented by the
interpreter, shook hands with him.
The Indians then arranged themselves
around the table; Spotted Tail and
Red Cloud occupying prominent posi-
tions. A large number of ladies and
gentlemen were present, including
Gov. Pennington of Dakota, GOV.
Thayer Wyoming, Ex-Gov. Nc
Cormick of Arizona, and Senator
Hamilton of Texas. The President,
through William Fulder, interpreter,
addressed the Indians as follows:
want to say to the Indians to-
day, something about the object in
bringing them here, and few words
for them to reply to at present. I
have always been a friend to the In
dians, and am very anxious to do
what think best for their good. Tie
country where they now live, as they
must be well aware, is entirely inca
pable of supporting them, should the
government cease to give them aid.
BY the treaty of 1868, clothing was
granted to them for thirty years, and
provisions for only five years. The
food and provisions. therefore, which
have been given to them for the last
two years has been a gratuity on the
part of Congress. These may be
taken from them at any time without
any violation of the treaty. My in
tention now is to make some arrange
ment, by which they and their
children will be secure for the future.
Several Indians expressed their APP
proval of these sentiments by eX-
claiming Ugh" AS 1 said in the
beginning, it must he evident to them
that If the supplies of food should be
withheld by the government, it would
be entirely impossible for the Indians
to live where they are. Another thing
would call their attention TO is this:
They must see that the white people
hundred to one, taking all the Indians
within the Territories owned by the
United States. This number of whites
is increasing so very rapidly that be-
fore many years it will be impossible
to fix any point within the limit OF
our Territories where you can prevent
them from going, and it will become
necessary that the white people.shall
go from one place to another, whether
occupied by Indians or not, the same
as they go from one State to another.
For this reason it is very desirable
that while they have friends here to
look after their interest, they should
be situated where they would be aDle
to get support, beyond any contin-
gency. I do not propose to ask them
about their consent to leave their
homes where they were born and
raised, but want to point out to them
the advantage to themselves and their
children. If they will accept such
arrangements as may be proposed to
them, there is territory south of
where they now live where the eli
mate is much better, where the grass
is much better, and game.more abun-
dant, including large game, such as
buffalo where there is good pasturage
for animals, and where teachers can
be sent among the Indians to instruct
them in the art of civilization, means
of self-preservation and support.