The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1876-11-02
A "REMINISCENCES OF ABRAHAM
LINCOLN.

There was an interesting though IN
important scene In the life of Abraham
Lincoln OF which was an eyewitness.
Itwas on the occasion of the visit of about
twenty Indian chiefs to the Executive
Mansion, delegated by their respective
tribes to treat personally with the Great
Father In the adjustment of their affairs.
They were habited in their attire oil
feathers and paint, and each one was i'm
pressed with the greatness of the occa-
sion, the most eventful, probably, OF
their lives. Their interpreter placed
them in the form of a crescent In the
spacious East room, on the floor, as they
would have been Ill at ease on chairs.
Thus they sat on the carpet in decorous
silence and waited the arrival of the
Chief Magistrate.
A number Of people had been invited
to be present at the interview, among
whom were officers, civil and military,
and foreign diplomats, accompanied by
their wives in fashionable toilet. Sew
eral OF the latter, whose feet had not
long left the asphalt of the boulevards
of Paris, looked on the copper-colored
men-two or three using eyeglasses
with peculiar interest; the objects of it,
however, sat under the close observation
with calm dignity, as calm as If they
had been in the habit of sitting amidst
the gaudy splendors of an East room,
and of being looked upon, every day,
by distinguished men and handsome
women; the absence of any manifestation
of surprise being a Characteristic of In
dian nature.
AT length Abraham Lincoln came into
the room and stood before the dusky
crescent, while a group of wen-known
men gathered behind him, to hear what
was about to take place, space being
made by ushers about the chiefs, the
President and the immediate group be-
hind him. The interpreter occupied a
place near Lincoln, TO turn the aborig-
inal language into English as it fell
from the lip. The ceremony began by
a personal presentation of each chief to
the Great Father, each one going up to
the powerful white chief and shaking
hands-mot extending the hand after the
Caucasian manner, but holding it high
and dropping it softly down into the
Presidential palm. The names were
furnished as they came forward by the
interpreter Bear, Big Wolf, Red
Fox. and so on.
The face Of Lincoln was plainly seen
by most of the people present, for it was
higher than that of any other When
he came into the room, it was, as usual,
pale, and tinged with the sadness which
was It's principal characteristic in re-
pose. He folded his hands before him,
and stood rather awkwardly as he waited
for the interview to begin. After max
ing his compliments and shaking hands,
each Indian returned to his seat on the
.carpet in the crescent of his brethren.
When be had performed the ceremony,
each one In turn made his speech to the
President, standing up for the purpose,
and sitting down when done IN parlia-
mentary fashion, probably through in
structions from the interpreter. The
first one who essayed to talk grew nerv-
Gus, and In a hurried way asked for a
chair In the spirit of a wrecked mariner
who seeks for place. When it was
furnished him he took his seat and re,
sumed the entangled thread Of his dis
course. As this trifiing incident teob
place, smile passed ever tAe faces OF
the spectators, and was reflected on that
of Lincoln This smile, indeed, deep
ened into en- audible laugh In the reaT
but, when the ear of the President
caught it, his face immediately straight
entd into seriousness and sympathy
with tie disconnected Indian. He die
not at once begin, and the Interpreter
said yrr
s"Mr. President, White Bear asks fol-
time to collect his thoughts. "
TIE President bowed, and another
smile went round at the plight OF the
perturbed Indian, but did not appear IL
the face of Lincoln. ~ .e-efl.sa
Soon, White Bear rose to his feet
went at it again, and after fashion
got through with what he wanted tt
say, at which there was murmur OF ap
plause. aA s
The burden of their speeches was the
same. They had all come such a long
distance, and SO quickly, that they fell
as if they we're birds. TO see the Grea
Father had been the wish of their lives
They were poor. and required help
They had always respected their treat
les, and were the friends of the white
mAn They wanted to be prosperous
and rich like their white brother. Big
Wolf, particularly, enlarged on THU
theme. He said that he would like tx
have horses and carriages, SauSageS Snct