Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-10-31

ton OF these bands no single one has
ever been punished for his hostile or
criminal acts Every man and every
woman and every child has been re-
ceived as friend Every one has. re-
ceived sufficient food and clothing for
his support. Every one has been treat
ed IN the same manner as those of your
nation who during all of the past
troubles, remained peaceably at their
agencies. It is true that these Indians
have been required to give up their
horses and arms, but these. horses and
arms have been partially sold,
and all will be sold, and whatever
has been or may be received for them
has been or will be applied for the ben
eft Of those from whom they were
taken. One Of us has already caused
to be purchased and sent to the agen-
cies on the Missouri river six hundred
and fifty COWS for the use of the Indians
there This has been done in the be-
lief that the best hope for the future
welfare of your people and their chill
dren is in the abandonment of your
present mode of life and the adoption
of the occupation of raisers Of cattle.
These same terms are now offered you.
The president cannot and will not con-
sent that you should return to your
country armed, mounted, and prepared
for war. He cannot consent that you
should return prepared to infict inju-
ries similar to those which you have in
fiicted in the past; but he invites you to
come to the boundary of his and your
country. and there give up your arms
and ammunition. Spotted Eagle and
other Indians laughed outright.
Thence to go to the agency which he
will assign you, and there give up your
horses, except those required for peace
full pursuits. Your arms and ammuni-
ton will be sold, and with all the money
obtained for them, COWS will be bought
and sent you. From, these COWS you
will be able to raise herds, which will
support you and your children long
after the game upon which you now
depend for subsistence shall have
disappeared, and in the meantime you
will receive the clothing and food
which the other bands of your nation
are now receiving. We have come
many hundred miles to bring you this
message from the president, who, as we
have told you before, desires to live in
peace with all his people. Too much
white and Indian blood has been shed.
1t is time that bloodshed should cease.
Of one thing, however, it is our duty to
assure you: You cannot return to
your country and your friends unless
you accept these propositions. Should
you attempt to return with arms in
your hands, you must be treated as
enemies of the United States. We ask
you to take these propositions into con-
slderatlon, to take time, consult to-
gether and to weigh them carefully.
When you have done SO we shall be
glad to meet and receive your answer"
Gen. Terry said in conclusion: eff
you desire to consult alone, the white
people will go out"
Suspecting treachery, Spotted Eagle
sprang to his feet and said: Il want
none of the white people to go OUT
SITTING BULLS REPLY.
In his turn Sitting Bull rose slowly to
his feet, threw the robe off his shout
derc and displayed blue calico shirt
leggings were made of dark blue cloth,
with a dark stripe extending down the
sides, and around his neck was tied
handkerchief. His first
sentences were uttered in sharp, vim
dictive manner, and his sentiments
We're re-echoed by his followers. The
close of each sentence was followed by
'sHow!' from all the Indians ilr the
room, showing how closely they SYM
pathized with him. He spoke as fol
lows:
For slXty-tOur years you have kept
me and my people and treated us bad.
What have we done that you should
want us? We have done nothing. 1t
is all the people Of your side that have
started us to do these depredations We
could not go anywhere else, SO we took
refuge IN this country of the British
It was on this side of the country that
We learned to shoot, and that is the rea-
son [ came back to it again. Why do
you come here? In the first place /
did not give you the country; but you
followed me from one place to another,
SO [ had to leave and come over to this
country. [ did not give you any coun-
try, but you took it away from us. |
was born and raised IN this country,
with the Red river halfbreeds, and I
intend to stop with them [ was raised
hand in hand with the Red river half
breeds, and we are going. over to
that part of the country, and
that is the reason why have come over
here" Shaking hands with the British
officers, he proceeded: ''That is the
way was raised in the hands of these
people, and that is the, way intend
to be with them. You have got ears to
hear, and you have got eyes to see, and
you see how live with these people,
You see me. Here am. If you think
| am fool, you are a bigger fool than
/ am. This house is a medicine-house.
You come here to tell us lies, but we
don't want to hear them. don't wish
any such language used to me, that is
to tell me such lies in my great mothers
house. Don't you say two words more.
Go back home where you came from.
This country is mine, and 1 intend to
stay here and to raise this country full
of grown people. See, these people
here were raised with Them" again