The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-10-06
How the Bucks Are Supplied with WhSkey
and the Disastrous Effects.
SHREWD DIPLOMACY OF SPOTTED TAIL,
Signal Failure Of an Attempt TO Impose
on the Gentle Sayages.
HOW THE RATIONS WERE FURNISHED.
THE GREAT COUNCIL GROUND on WHITE
81 1a7S 4


Yesterday the Grand Council Of the Commissioners Of
the President and the Sioux nation Of Indians was
opened This step has been achieved however after
series of delays which has at times seemed to presase
an ultimatc.aiiure OF all efforts to form treaty Some
persons cvon who have witnessed the proceedings Of
the commission during the past two weeks, intimate
doubt Of their sincerity in seeking the purchase Of the
country defined by the Secretary Of The Interior in his
instructions them. One and perhaps two Of tho
gentlemen OF the commission with icw other ntel
gent men not deuded into a belief in the
value OF the Black Hills, look upon thor purchase
unnecessary the public veal and il II not their
duty the object OF their appointment they would
not favor the cosson OF tho country to tho government
at all They are consequently very ukewsrm negotia
Their private opinion OF the value Of the land to
BIO treated for is undoubtedly shared by tho greater
proportion OF the reading public. They represent
powerful and heathful sentiment that Is duo to the
truthful information given only by the independent
press regarding the Black Hills But the majority OF
the commission arc anxious to consummate a written
agreement with tho Indians, and that pos
sble The course pursued thus far, however,
has not been expeditions of the business in
hand. Each delay granted to the inharmonious chiefs
who have been jealousy quarreng over petty issues
has bred other delays and this negative order Of events
might have continued for year, had not very little
nrmness displayed itself at last in members Of the com
mission Spotted Tail the FIRST OF delay. he
protested against the selection Of tho council ground
much Red Clouds village than 10 his and in
ssted upon the first understanding being carried out
namely that the council should be held Shedron
Creek. Tho Commissioners day sent word to him
that no must come to place selected by them, on
day il he wished join in the council As tho
time approached Spotted Tail had made appearance
The commission consulted the opening day OF the
council changed They feared the secession of too
large body of representative chiefs, and waited. On
another day 1t still further postponed, and last
Saturday was named as the date OF the opening The
commission, then in Difference Red Cloud abandoned
tho spot Grow Butes, hrst chosen, and named
the White River at the mouth OF Little White Clay
Greek, and further postponed the meeting with tho
chiefs. Spotted Tail and said that he would
two miles cast Of the mouth Of the Little White Clay
Creek. Once tho Commissioners yielded to tho
barbarans Red Cloud grown sulky and arrogant, in
consequence OF the Difference shown to Spotted
TAIL said he would not go where the latter wished and
that the council ought to be held only in the stockade
at the agency committee Of Brul6s, Spotted Tail,
No Flesh and Two Strike called upon him. Sword and
American Horse offer the olive branch to form
agreement but they met with cold reception Red
Cloud would not listen.
Policy EVOLVED
After hearing OF the result OF their last diplomatic
have proven more profitable il adopted at the onset
They determined to ignore Red Cloud fixing the oca-
ton Of tho council The opinion ofYoung Man Afraid of
hs Horses sought He undoubtedly has the greatest
Anauencc in the Sioux nation, excepting Spotted Tail
and also has the hereditary right to power lie was
mo- unlayorable to the place pointed out by Spotted
Iai, and on Saturday morning the commission, &C
companicd by several Ogallala chiefs, among whom
Red Dog, Sword and Spider met Spotted Tail and
his sub-chicfs, who with their people, the
OF moving up from their camps shadron Creek to
pitch them nearer the council ground. The meeting
was the summit Of large knoll, OF the Little
White Clay Creek overlooking tho river bottom and the
plain for miles.
None Of the Brul6s Minneconjoug were present
when the commission arrived there. The wind
blowing and II was bitterly cold However, horsemen
soon began TO appear in the east and the braves
OF the whole Brul6 tribe winding in a black
sinuous column, across the plain, with the squaws,
children and tepcos behind thcm. Spotted Tail and
Crazy in the Lodge wagon which had springs
and was drawn by two ponies driven by a needy look
ing Indian attircd in vests psntaoons linen dusor
and hat, who sat the front seat Spotted Tail Is
clearly not avorsc to symbols OF state although his
personal tasto is simple His bearing was fine and
noble, and he greeted the Commissioners with an
unconscious assumption Of equality in his manner
which few other Indians displayed. When few more
chiois, belonging TO the Missouri River reservations
had arrived,
Pow.wow
was held by the Commissioners and Indians and tho
lattcr then retired 70 consult among themselves
Spotted Tail pointed spot near the river marked
by an old and cottonwood tree aud described
II as the best situation for the grand tcpec lilo had
come 50 Ear to concllatc the ogalaas that no thought
himself entitled 10 the concession Of being allowed to
designate the actual council ground After somo de-
liberation The chiefs present consented to the PROPOSE.
ton but neither Red Cloud Young Man Afraid Of
His Horses who could override all other Of the ogaaia
chiefs there The gathering about to dlspcrso
In uncertainty whether the agreement should be final
when Young Man Afraid OF His Horses lie is
not tall unusual in appearance, and his face has
simply an aspect OF intelligence, not Of thoughtful.
ness or sagaclty His attire plain, and his only
mark Of distinction is certain expression OF authority,
resolve and courage in his truly aboriginal countenancc.
Since he has in his power become when he likes,
the principal chief OF tho Sioux nation, his modesy
in remaining what he Is is remarkable, 1t may DO
Vowed as an evidence Of the sterling nature Of his
good qualities When the young chof heard the prop
osition made by Spotted Tail ho approved i, and tho
preliminary trouble felt TO be at last Red
Cloud made monument OF discomfort by his cool
treatment but IL has long been known that he has not
complete control OF tho 0galIaas, ami II he
incurs their dspeasre by his jealous obstinacy may
prove fortunate opportunity for them deposc him
and bcsow upon Man Afraid Of His Horses his present
authority The latter II said Is very VOL disposed
toward the whites, although young man aud full Of
ambition.
The Indians shook hands very cordially oil around
and many or them accompanied the Commissioners
back to the agency
now SUNDAY WAS PASSED
sannav WA vorv quiet The peculiar virtue OF tha