The New York herald., 1877-10-22

tion OF general officer. The insIstance OF
Colonel Mcleod and Major Walsh compelled the
whole United States party to accept the hospitality
OF the officers, who have improved upon the pro-
verbal British camaraderle
AN INFLUENTIAL OFFICER.
We must really regard MAJOR Walsh as the only
man in the Dominion OF Canada who could, in the
first place, have induced such determined enemies
OF the white man as Sitting Bull and his followers
to come on and interview the United States COM
mission. ani in the second place, TO have enticed
these wild and suspicious savapes to bde delay OF
considerable extent and await the approach OF the
Commissioners. The wild and romantic stories
told OF Major Walsh in the Canadian and United
tion whether he really exercises the influence
winch 1t is claimed lie possesses over the Indians
OF tho Northwest.
WHAT A BRAVE DIPLOMAT CAN DO.
Nobody however. would think OF doubling Major
wash's control over his savage wards after being
at this post for one hour must characterize him,
from what have seen and heard, as one OF the
brayest and most remarkable diplomats OF his day.
For he unites, with tact absolutely essential TO
successful diplomacy. the courage and prudence OF
mind required in all intercourse with savage and
superttious people. If 1t is remembered that he
now occupies position full OF difficulty and DANGER
wherein the least evidence OF injustice or weakness
would be regarded by the Indians as one OF hostility
or fear, the readers of the HERALD can appreciate
his merits.
HIS CAREER IN BRIEF.
Since Major Walsh has done more than any other
man to make and preserve peace among the Wild
est tribes within the Canadian border, brief
sketch OF his career becomes important in this con-
nection. Although Canadian raised in Prescott
on the st. Lawrence River, opposite Ogdensburg
he is an American In broad sense, heart and soul
When very young he was engaged in the militia SER
vice OF Canada, and was always noted for his inde-
fatgable attention to the proper discharge of hts
duties In 1885, being then on the Canadian militia
stan, he took prominent part in repelling the
Fenian raid, which, by its successful opening at the
fight at Ridgeway, at one time threatened the most
equally active in the organization OF the Dominion
mounted police, civil force under military dis
cipline
GUARDING THE NORTHWEST.
From the first. this organization having for Its
field OF operations the immense northwest beyond
Manitoba and which is inhabited by rowing tribes
of Indians, was devised to prevent and quell out
breaks between the various tribes and to repress
Indian excesses against the scattered white SETTLE
ments Its range OF patrol duty extended over
many thousands OF square miles OF territory,
inhabited by scores OF Indian tribes and
hundreds OF wild and savage bands OF
half breeds and others who preyed upon Indians,
whites and each other with absolute impartality.
In numbers the force OF mounted police was ludic-
rously small, and In its organization it was as
though 1t could control the hordes OF Indians on
the Northwestern Plains in the same way and with
the same unquestioned authority as the vicious
classes are controlled in large cities by sma bodies
of municipal police.
MANAGING WILD INDIANS.
To most men the task Of arresting Indians on the
plains and lmprisoning or even putting them in
irons for offences committed against the authority OF
the Queen, whose majesty had been clearly ex-
Sub-lnspector Walsh who has since become Major
and full Inspector OF Mounted Police, did not take
any note whatever Of impossibltles He studied
the character OF the wild Indians carefully and in.
fiua me- hs actiona hv m aaopto.,
Indian ideas OF authority ana power While he did
not encourage thcm he made use OF Indian super.
stitions to strengthen his influence, but he made
use OF them in a manner humane and beneficial to
those he sought to control
When he arrived at the site OF this post the
Indian tribes Of the Northwest territory were all
hostile to each other and in continual strife.
EiSTEENcNE INDIAN STRIFE
The mountains dominating the valley fairly
swarmed with redskins and the valley was their
constant warpath. No white man thought of
camping here, so fierce was the hostility OF the
Indians Some three hundred lodges OF Piegans and
war on his arrival and the first thing Major Walsh
did was TO inform the chiefs OF both tribes that If
they wished to stay this side OF the border they
must stop lighting and submit to the same laws
which white men were compelled to obey.
ENFORCING PEACE AND ORDER
He told them that the laws OF the Dominion woud
protect Indians and whites alike and he explained
their tenor In the clearest possible manner The
chiefs asserting to his request the Major caused the
head men OF the Assinibones Cree Saulteaux and
Plcgan tribes to assemble and shake hands, ana
peace was then and there proclaimed
KEEPING SITTING BuLL ~ THE TRACES
When Sitting Bull and his band arrived In the
Northwest territory last May Major Walsh went to
his camp and talked Canadian law to him. lie told
him he must obey that law or he and his people
would be elected from the territory. Sitting Bull
readily agreed to this as did all the head men OF his