The New York herald., 1879-12-13
WRONGS OF THE PONCAS.

AN INDIAN GIRLS ACCOUNT OF THE suFFERINGs
OF HER KINDRED D-APPEALING TO THE LAW
FOR LIBERTY AND REDRESS OF GRIEVANCES =
BRIGHT EYES ADDRESS TO A SYMPATHETIC
AUDIENCE AT sTEINwAY HALL.
curious and interesting meeting was held at
Seinway Hall last evening. 1t scarcely the fash
ion in this country any longer to sympathize with
the wrongs of the Indians and therefore TO Stein
way Hall almost filed by an Intelligent and demon
strative assemblaGe listening appeals for
sympathy in behalf Of the Ponca tribe
may be regarded an unusual spectacle. The
sion was the more remarkable from the fact thar
leading clergymen and business men were
present, and that the whole assemblage was appa-
rently rapport with the speakers in their denun-
Citations of the injustice which the government is
said to have inflicted upon the wards OF the nation.
Among those on the platform were Peter Cooper.
Rev. DR.. Henry w. Bellows. Rev. Dr. Ros-
well D. Hitchcock. Mr.. I. II. Tibbles. Stand
ing Bear. q Ponca chief. broad-shouldered.
long haired savage in civilized garments and Bright
Eyes adaughter OF the chief of the Omsias. AN In
tslligent young girl speaking English huently. Dr.
Bellows presided. and opened the meeting by intro
ducing Mr. Tbbles. gentleman from Omaha. who
became interested in the legal aspects Of the Of
the Ponca Indians. aud who believes that il the
matter be brought before the United States Su-
preme Court that the law cannot refuse to restore
to the Poncas the land from which they have been
driven.
PEACEFUL AND INDUSTRIOUS
Mr. Tibbles described the Poncas us having always
been friendly to the whites. living on their land.
working industriously and peaceably and educating
their chillren. He quoted from the Indian reports
to show that the Poncas are regarded as good Ind.
ians who have helped defended the whites and
never given trouble. He quoted from the treaty
made with them. in which it promised that they
should live forever their land in Nebraska aud
Idaho, and then recited the story of the sudden
appearance OF agents from Washington in the fall
Of 1877 with orders drive the whole tribe to the
Indian territory regardless of the treaty. He de-
scribed eloauenty the suffering and death that
sued in the unhealthy climate OF the Indian territory
and showed how the braves in despair fought the
death sooner than their wives and childfen die
He demanded the protection of the law for the Indi
and showed tho bArbarism and cruelty OF leaving
them without any defence against the seizure OF
their property. The only way to stop Indian wars.
tect their property before the law. This is what
Canada has done, and Canada has Indian wars
The speakers remarks were earnest and eloquent
and frequently greeted with hearty applause
BRIGHT EYES THE PLArPoRM.
omaSas a tribe related to the Poncas was then in
troduced to the audience. who saw comely. plump
young lady, dressed modestly and plainly in civil
lized attire. She had glowing complexion and
bright intelligent blxck eyes, suggestive Of smoul
dering fire. She spoke in trem mulous voice. little
nervously until she warmed up with her theme. Her
pronunciation of English was distinct She began: -
have lived all my life. except two that was ut
Omahas, and have had an opportunity to study the
Indian question. 1t crushed hearts to o
ttle handful OF poor ignorant helpless but peace
full people. such as the Poncas are. oppressed by
mighty nation-a nation so powerful that it could
we'll have afforded to show Justice and humanity.
1t hard to feel how powerless to help
those loved dearly when we saw our relatives
forced from their homes AND compelled to 90 to
strange country at the point OF the bayonet. The
whole Ponca tribe rapidly advancing in civii-
zation; cultivated their farms. and their school
| houses and churches were well filed, when they
| were suddenly informed that the government
| qured their removal to Indian Territory. 1t WAS
Ssh % M thing iof sne aS to d
the Sioux without the knowledge Of the owners and
IS the Poncas were perfectly helpless and the
| to move the friendly tribe. The tribe has been
robbed of thousands Of dollars worth of property
and the government shows no disposition to return
it. That property was lawfully the Poncas'. They
| had worked for it. and the snnuties which the gov
nuites paid to Indian tribes in payment for land
| sold. They not charity. The government never
gives aims to the Indians and thanks the Indian
Ring the Indians do not get half OF what is due them
(Applausej We are treated with less consideration
| NO VOICE TO SPEAK FOR THEM
| For the past 100 years the Indians have had no
| one to tell the story of their wrongs. II white
| man does injury to Indian the injured party
has to suffer in silence. or ii too muchexAsperated
to seek revenge. Then the act OF vengeance has
| been spread ABROAD through the newspapers as
| senseless act 1t is because know that majority
Of the people If the United States do not know
Of the cruelties and injustice Of the Indian
| Ring that 1 have the courage to appeal
| to them in behalf of conquered and
helpless people. do not know that have the
right to say a conquered people. We are helpless.
| it is true, but at least do not feel that
conquered. We are human beings; God made
wcll you. and we are His because OF our igno-
| rance and helpessness. seem to understand why
| Christ came upon the earth aud wandered over it.
| houseless and hated Of all men. 1t brings Him
| nearer to feel that He suffered suffer.
The girl then proceeded to relate Of the acts
Of brutality aud oppression i'll her tribe aud the
| Poncas, and described in fattering terms the
| character of most Of the Indian agents. She
cluded her address folows:-" have come to you
| to appeal for your sympathy and help for my peo
| pie. They immortal beings. for whom Christ
! died. They asked me to appeal to the churches.
because they have heard that God people there
and the judges. because they right all wrong.
The people who were once owners of this soil ask
| you for their liberty and law is liberty"
Tho Indian girls address listened to with
great attention and much wOnderment at her excel
lent choice OF English DR.. Hitchcock sfterward
made q short address, followed by Standing Eesr.
who told briefly the story Of his wrongs in his
Il l,.,n n.s..