The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1876-11-03
A "REMINISCENCES OF ABRAHAM
LINCOLN.

There was an interesting though I'M
important scene in the life of Abraham
Lincoln OF which 7 was an eye witness.
1t was 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 of
feathers and paint, and each one was i'm
pressed with the greatness of the coca
sion, the most eventful, probably, Of
their lives. Their interpreter placed
them in the form of 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 he present at the interview, among
whom were officers, civil aud 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 eye-glasses--
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 mcn and handsome
women; the absence of any manifestation
OF Surprise being characteristic of In
dian neture.
A. sength Abraham Lincoln came into
the room and stood before the dusky
crescent, while a group of well-known
men gathered behind HIM, 70 hear what
was about to take place, space being
made by ushers about the chiefs, the
President and the immediate group be-
hind hun. The interpreter occupied a
place near Lincoln, TO turn the aborig
maj language into English as it fell
from tie lip. The ceremony began by
personal presentation of each chief TO
the Great Father, each one going up to
the powerful white chief and shaking
hands-not extending the hand after the
Caucasian manner, bM holding it high
aud dropping it softly down into the
Presidential palm. The names were
furnished as they came forward by the
interpreter White Bear, Big Wolf, Red
Fox. and 30 on.
The face of Lincoln was plainly seen
Isy most OF the people present, for it was
dn&yber than that of any other When
he came into the room, it was, as usual,
apGIe, 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 bus 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 ia turn made his speech to the
President, standing up tor the purpose,
and sitting down when done in parlia-
mentary fashion, probably through in
sttuvtions from the interpreter. The
first one who essayed to talk grew nerv-
Gus, and In hurried way asked for
chair in tho spi,it OF wrecked mariner
who seeks for Place. When it was
furnished him he took his seat and re-
sumed the entangied thread OF his dis
course. As thus triAing incident took
place, smile passed over the faces OF
the SPECTATORS, and was reflected on that
of LincoiD. This smile, Indeed, deep
ened iAto ~ audible laugh IN the rear I;
but, when the ear of the President
-, ia, 4, lis race immediately straight
.ened lacJ seriousn, ~ and sympathy
with tie ditconcerted Indian. He did
not ut once begin, and the interpreter
,said
"Mr. President, White Bear asks for
time 60 culleot his thoughts.
Tie President bowed, and another
smile went round at the plight of the
peltubpd Indian, but did not appear In
the face of Lincoln.
Soon, White Bear rose to his feet,
went as i again, and after fashion
got through with what he wanted to
say, af winch there was q murmur of APP
plause.
The burden OF their speeches was the
sau-c. Vhey had all come such long
distance, aud so quickly, that they felt
as II thew were birds To see the Great
Father bad hem the wish of their lives.
They were poor, and required help.
TIE bod always respected their treat
Sso, Dad wore the friends of the white
mnn. Ebey wanted TO be prosperous
and rich lll,e tber white brother. Bic
Wof, patticularly, enlarged ON this
thene u SAID that he would like to
have homes and carriages, sausages such