The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-01-19
CHEF Josrrn As Az oRiroR.


WAsHINGTuN, Jan. L. An Indian pow-wow
was held in Lincoln Hall this evening. the hall
being crowded in every part The platform
was nearly filled with Indians among whom
were the Chiefs Joseph and Yellow Bull of the
Nez Perces tribe. and Colorado petro and four
companions of the Ute tribe all gorgeously at
tired in ralnhow-hued blankets. The chair
was taken by MIR. A. i. Menchnm. who said that
the object ol the gathering was to give the red
man nm opportunity ~ speaking for himself as
to his rights and liberties Alter an eloquent
speech lie introduced Chici Joseph as one Of
the grandcst warriors VINO had ever lived.
Chief Joseph gathered up his blanket and
walked slowly o. the table. Then he helped
himself to glass Of winter. gracefully wiping
his hps with n white handkerchief Then he
began his address, speaking IN tho Ne2 Pcrces
tongue, Mr.. Arthur }. Chapman acting rs in
terpreter He has an cNcclent voice ana smoke
with confidence, using nntural aud easy gts-
ucuiati on, hud appearing NJ though iuseuslhle
that his Ian uagc wis unlnteliEihlc 10 his lis
toners. Tue story OF the recent Me- prrrcs
war was modeslly told IA pictur'sQn" language.
ana the rrrla! II the many tr"utire that were
made and immediately broken by the whte
mon sNNtral Times eilrIcd cries ol shame.
One OF the incidents of the war created roars of
laughter Tho lniians woro on their march
from the Indian Territory. amt had nearly
1ctchcd the Rocky Mountains. tho troops con
tnually following them. " Gen, Howard WIS
close to me" he said. DO close enough To strike.
We did not wnnt to nsht more. So W. de.blrd 10
take his mu rs from him 10 81 70 his advance"
Aud they Il 50.
The Chnirnnn then called upon n civilized
Indian, Col AdHlr of the Cherokee Nation. who
snid TINT the history they had Just heard of the
M Perces WAS the history OF the whole race.
When this country WIS discovered they mum
h"rpd three million people now they were three
hundred thousand only, showing decrease OF
n"Arly ten thousand a year. the groHt proper
ton Of whom had breu killed boy those who in
yaded their territories. At the tlne of tho re-
bcllion tho Cherokee Station lost hair of its PEG
pic. Their territory became the battlefield. and
what ono army did not klll or steal the othor
army did. In the intervening ycur~ their nom
ulutOn had increased 30 pen cent They were
tue most Prosperous peoplo IN the Mcst-tpn
times better on thuE the people Of Arkansas
five times ht tier OIL than tho-' uf Texas. ard
three times b'tter on than those of Missouri.
They had eighty five free schools two colegrs-
one Tor each s'N orphan aud deaf and dumb
Asl lumS. All thosH things did not cost tho
American Government "a single ''gt GA a low
estimate the Government owed the Chrrokres
SlOOQO,OOO. If It owed that 10 Great britain it
would pay il.
Cob Porter otthc Crock Nation spoke Of their
progression and civilization, and said that II
tho Indian were only allowed lew moro wears
~ education hc would willingly como into tho
onion. and tho citizens would be proud To re-
crlNN him.
Colorado pcro said a few words In behalf Of
the Utos, and the meeting ended.