The sun., 1880-12-13
MIR. SCHURz AND THE PONC4S.
A Reply to the Speeches Made aud the Reso.
Iutions Adopted nt the Boston Meeting.

WASHINGTON, Dec. i2.-Mr. Schurz has
written and mailed to Gov. Long Of Massachu-
setts long letter on the Ponca question. which
is a reply to the speeches made and the resolu-
tons adopted at meeting held In Boston. over
which tho Governor presided. to express SYM
pathy with the Ponca Indians. and at which the
outrage committed ON that tribe OF Indians by
Mr.. Schurz In removing them from their Da-
kota lands to tho Indian Territory WAS warmly
condemned. Mr.. Schurz says: That meeting
was held in the interest OF justice. Itdemanded
justice for that Indian tribe. But it seems that
no, ono OF the speakers remembered that meas
ure OF justice which is due to the officers OF the
Government whose names were connected with
that deplorable affair. Permit me to demand
Justice for them.
Mr.. schurz then goes on to say that the legls-
laton which brought about the removal OF the
Poncas and the inittntory steps taken TO that
end occurred before the present dministration
came into power. The removal itself. In pur-
suance OF tho law OF Congress-. was effected a
very short time after he took charge OF the In
terror ana as me saysb TS ne
able task OF acquainting himself with tho vast
and complicated machinery OF tho department.
He accepted the recently enacted laws az the
expressed will of Congress, and took tho judg-
ment Of the then Commissioner OF Indian Al.
fairs Mr. b. s s e sess NnI ia
affairs generally as well MS he does now. he
should have overcome the natural hesitancy
sibilities." The details OF the case. headds, did
not come to his knowledge until the P9nca chiefs
SnFycfd Snd od heir IL stor Ren he 'ss M
they had suffered great hardship In losing
their reservation conferred upon them by
not to have been free expression Of their will. 4"
As to the question OF redress. he says tnat tnelr
request for permission to return to Dakota was
denied. not without very careful consideration;
The Sioux had In tho mean time been removed
to the Missouri River, and occupied that part
| lands. To return tho Poncas to- these lands
| under such circumstances seemed dangerous
! because the temper OF the Sioux at that period
appeared still very critical, and 1t was beliovod
| that the slightest irritation might lead to
another outbreak OF that tribe. the most power
| full OF al! tho Indian nations. Under these dif-
! hcult circumstances it was concluded that tho
return OF the Poncas to Dakota would be too
| dangerous venture. and that II would be best
| to propose to the PoncRs selection OF lands in
the Indian Territory which they might ch QSse e.
| themselves. This they consented 10 do mr..
| Schurz continues:
Does it not appear view Of this compile alton OF dim
s: csds S @ he Ss cSs IL
she yCT. Of sr or & HST
interior bcpsr,msnti Ana meeIiIg called q
oGc, !e doysrnoGnt CONNECTED T'!n "a, aaatT &
take the circumstances INTO aSGoMt was .cPo,eH ~
Srest WRONG to the fonca, has been uncaTtlcd brE
sansa ssHT sa'uot wa; & %i'Sio,ed aSa paosfd 5Ss,
Stor Dawes ilor Mayor Prince. But did 1t myself
| lie then quotes from his annual reports and
| from tho reports OF tho Commissioner OF ln'
dian Affairs, and adds:
Ynu will admit that the language einpl yct ~ those
repurts with regard 10 the wrong dOnt 70 the FoncAS
could moi have been stronger there snong conceal
cd Or passed over Three years ago ueIS0'e ths MAJ
ter WAS fully nearthcA and rOparauon denhnded and
il wnS done by thls department But Congress tok ~
notice H. II the reNAraton Ia the fonchs proposed
Inc l submitted Congress was OF sAuSHcuEy, tlel
there full 'pportuniiy tor CogreSI !. amend hh
bill aud up0n its Judgment lhh Congress ~
rccted this dc Cpartmrnt 10 do this that, there wUu
| have bee no hesitation In executing the law.
| Chosen by an Immense mRjOrity-DE Bulls C0ug
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