The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-11-10
CAPITAL NOTES.
AN INDIAN POW-wOW.
The Ponca Chiefs visit the Great Fathe

Tne FOUCA Cn1els VlSiG inc 6reat FACHeF'
WASHINGTON, Nov. ,1o-The Indians comprs-
ing the delegation of Poncas who arrived here
yesterday to treat for their land and to beg to be
allowed to return to their old reservation, in
do"ne Wth the Preadent e len this in the
Cabinet room at the White House, Besides the
President there was present at the pow-w WOW
Secretary Schurz Indian Commissioner Hoyt.
and Major Howard agent for the Poncas In
dians. They spoke,of course, through inter-
White Eagle. head chief. was first presented
to the President. and made a somewhat lengthy
Great Father" he began II have met you
for a long time through the dark clouds and
had suddenly come into the light" He then
went on to say that it sometimes happens that
very good men are neglected and that it was so
with his people. while back, some Of his
forefathers had come to see the Great Father
and bad brought back some ADVICE, telling the
men togive up hunting and cultivate the lands
and make houses like the white man.
He had remembered what his forefathers had
u his people % had built thou HOUSES and catvatea tee the
lands in Dakota and were living happy and get
ing along spIleendidly, when, suddenly. q man
60 to the Indian Territory, where they are now.
Whether that man was sent by thel G. reat Father
they dii not know. but they did as he directed.
They left their homes, their crops in the field
and their farming implements. and went VIII ere
they are now: they had been living on reserva-
ton which had been theirs as long as their fore
happy and good. This they left for one which
is far away and where many of their people
have died.
They were in very bad way when they go.
there. until their agent, Major Howard had sent
to them. He had helped them, and he white
Eaglel had wanted to see the Great Ia her for a
long time, but tseemed as If the bad Indians
always had the first chances to, come and see
him. All he wanted was to go back to his oil
reservation. the right to which he had not
thought best he would do.
Standing Bull was the next speaker. He said
that the great Father had given bis people a
very good road to follow, but to day they we're
off that road. The great Father had advised
them to work for themselves, and this they had
done until they were removed. and that to leave
all their things behind them. and go to coun-
He wanted the great Father to help them and
send them back to their old reservation
Standing Bear said about the same. and re-
body tried to do good. and finds that he is on the
wrong road. he Immediately gets On the other.
The Great Father he knew, wanted to do his
reservation. but now ,tnst he found he had done
them harm, he hoped he would send them back.
Where he now was his ponies were being stolen
and his people dying fast.
The last speaker was The Chief. He reiterated
the assertion Of The speakers who had preceded
him. and said that since his people had been r.
moved to the Indian .Trrritory last spring,
thirty-six of them had died and good many OF
their cattle had also died. After he had fn-
ished the President turnedato the interpreter
Tell them have listened attentively to what
they have said. will consider carefully about
It and will let them know what can do. I will
90 90 the pest can for wh n | have considered
now will shake hands with them to-day and
see them gain tomorrow"
The Ind ans who were dressed In their native
hands with the President. were conducted from
the White House to their hotel.