National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1878-03-12
A COUNCIL FIRE.
TELLING THE OTHER SIDE OF THE
INDIAN QUESTION.


Colonel Meacham Describes the Tragedy Of
the Lava Bcds-Addresses Of Indian Braves
One Of them Thinks That One Indian Is
Good for Ten white Men.
The lecture Of Hon. A. n. Mcacham, at Odd Fell
lows Hall, last evening, on "The Tragedy of the
Lava-Beds" called out an audience which com.
prised some Of the most distinguished people in the
CITY,
The speaker stated that his object In giving his
lecture was to allow persons to hear the other side
Of the Indian question" He then gave thrilling
account Of the scenes In the lavabeds Immediately
after the battle, when he was len upon the field
for dead, and was only saved through the interpo-
sition of wine.ma Modoc squaw. Mr.. Meacham
concluded his lecture with the following views;
The solution OF the Indian problem will he
found Whenever a policy founded upon justice
partment OF the Government free from political or
army interference, executed by men selected on &c
count OF fitness. who shall be exempt from the &C.
cured political dogma that to tho victor belongs
the spoils, held to strictcst accountability and sub
lcct to removal only by impeachment When this
GERS of the Department are clothed with power 10
protect the Indian under the civil law Of the land,
and the barriers to
THE CITIZENSHIP OF THE INDIAN,
are removed and he stands upon the same plane
with every other man, alike responsible to law,
and equally entitled to H. protection, then. and not
until then, may we hope for peace with our native
tribes. when the army Of the United States shall
become what It ought ever to be- the executive ser
want Of the people, called into requisition only
when humane measures have failed. then IL may
hilhll its mission-iierer as humane ciyilizlng
power"
SPEECHES FROM THE INDIANS.
After the lecture. Mr.. Meacham announced that
| several ful-boodcd Indians who were present on
The stage would make short add,csscs, and intro
rOr who delivered his speech In his own language,
being Interpreted by Mr. A. ", Stubbs lie said: MY
Language, but my friend here has kindly consented
tn take my part and tell you what have to say.
Our tribe Is not large We live in the northern rart
Of the Indian Territory, aud efforts having Eeen
made to take us away from our reservation. !
thoug ht would come to the big White House md
tell thc Great Father what desire" lie closed by
thanking the white people for their efforts to make
Yag.iel. ka harjo n Creek representative, was the
next speaker. Ills remarks were Interpreted by
Mr.. D. N. Hodge. lie said that he was an humble
citizen Of the Muskegcc nation Many years ago
they made treaty with the United States. All the
with on the part of the Indians; but the Govern.
ECIt hos br6kcn faith and seeks to hsppsscss them
Of their lands; Not many years ago, when, the
| In putting down That war. fighting side by
side with, his white brethren; end now for
dlSpcrsc his nation TO the winds. Was this right
| Instead Of passing these b lis the Government
buS!it 10 10 NnIlellLlS utJtltlhl lOt MS lhtlbH
| General Porter, Of the Geek nation was the
| next speaker aud made an earnest and iOrciblc
| appeal IN favor of his brethren In spCal INK OF
| Indian characteristics he stated that they arc
| brave people, and will strike bow for blow. Give
| him al army of lOOy00 Indians and he could defy
| an army Of $4,000 whites. lie spoke very kindly
| OF Mr.. MCachum. whom he stated was as near ~,
| Indian rs possible. He concluded by saying that
the Indians must be governed in their own manner
and by their own people.
| HOW! HOW!
Al the conclusion Of General Porter's speech. Mr.
| Mcacham announced that the Indians OH the plat.
form desired TO shake hands with their friends In
| the audience, aud large number awaited them.
selves OF the opportunity. The following occupied
| seats on the stage Colonel W. +. Ada r aud ID. IT.
| Ross, of the Cherokecs; General p. Porter, D. NJ
| Hodge, Judge q. W. Stldham. and Yar.teh-ka
| hnrjO, of the Greeks: and J. ID. Bemo and J.
| Brown, Of the semnOles.