River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1880-03-18
40! THE POOR INDIAN!"
An Interview with the Chief of The
Cherokees-Freeb 10 be Driven
Ont. Etc.


Affairs in the Indian country appear
to be rapidly approaching crisis. The
whole nation is apparently aroused,
and revolution is imminent. This town,
which is the capital CT the Cherokee
country and one of the largest and
most enterprising in the territory, is
alive to the situation. Day after day
the streets are thronged with men from
all parts OF the interior, who come in
to learn the latest news from Washing
ton and elsewhere regarding the situa-
ton. The opposition to the Vest bill,
or, indeed, to any other form of legisla-
ton which places the country on a ter
rltorial basis and opens 1t up - white
settlement, is very positive.
Let the treaties be respected" is the
watchword. Denunciations of the gov
eminent are heard on every hand; and
one listening to the conversations upon
the streets and in the public inns
dams had suffered every unheard OF
injury at the hands of the United
States. "Not content with robbing us"
prominent Indian said to your cor
respondent, ''the general government
will next take steps TO reduce us TO vas
salage, condition in comparison with
which negro slavery sinks into insignifi-
cance." We mention this merely as
an illustration Of the style of argument
used against any legislation looking to-
ward territorial government. and need
hardly add that it is very effective with
the people hereabouts. Still, it must
be admitted that there is justice on the
side of the Indians. Treaties have
been broken with them time and again
and if they look upon the government
as a cruel task master, who can blame
them?
In the present state of things it is SUI
preme folly to talk of opening up the
territory. The people are laboring un-
der great excitement, and are not capa-
ole of judging what is best for them in
the premises. Now the main question
is how to resist the threatened
invasion of the territory, and little else
is thought or talked of. | had an inter-
view with Bushyhead, the chief of the
Cherokees, day before yesterday. /
found him alone in his private office,
a plainly-furnished yet very comfortable
room. The. walls were unpapered and
Imprinted: and beyond few chairs, a
desk and table and two or three mans;
the apartment had no appearance of
occupancy. The chief received me
cordially without any excessive demon
STATIONS of friendship He is a thick
set man, having no education worth
speaking of. His executive ability is
highly praised, while everybody &C
knowledges that he has large share
Ofgood common sense. This he will
find useful, especially if the present
threatening aspect of affairs continues.
"What will the present agitation re-
suit imp | asked.
81 can hardly answer that question:"
answered the chief after slight hest
tation; but / think it must arouse the
sympathy of the people Of the United
States for the Indians"
"What will be done should parties
from Missouri and Kansas enter the
Territory"
Bushyhead's eyes glittered savagely
as he responded:
"They will be driven out. The Unit
ed States Government has promised to
protect us in our rights, you know" he
added, "and the president has issued a
proclamation warning these freebOoters
to keep out. If the country is invaded,
the Indians know how to protect them
selves, and should blood be shed our
people, at least will not be responsible.
Under no circumstances will the free
hooters be allowed to stay in the Terri
tory"
How is Vests bill generally receiv-
ed?"
SIT is looked on simply as measure
to give the Territory to railway rings;
it finds no favor among the Indians who
are true to their own interests"
'Then majority will favor territorial
government"
"By no means. Two thirds of our peo-
pie are opposed to it, In fact, we want
no change; we are doing we'll as it now
is. Our people are very prosperous, and
much progress is made in an education
al and agricultural sense every year.
All we ask is that solemn treaties be re-
garded, and we be left in peace. All this
agitation arises from the intrigues of
designing men like Boudinot-men who
are paid by railroad rings to STIR up
strife in the nation. These rings are in
terested in seeing the nation opened
as they call it, for each one has an ak
to grind!"
"But ii is charged on the other hand,
that those who oppose territorial gov
eminent and an equitable and amicable
settlement of the Indian question, have
also an ak to grind. Is there any
truth in the charge?"
No; IFS lie"
'.Are not the Indian delegations now
in Washington paid for laboring against
any effort to territoriaGze the nation,
and against the Vest bill in particular"
Eyes; they get enough any way to
cover expenses. You see it Is necessary
for protection that we send delegation
of our leading men to Washington
not give their services for nothing. Why,
if our interests were not thus closely
looked after, the Indian country would
go to the dogs. Our worst foes, per.
haps, are those of our own household.
Still we have at least $4,000 people who
will stand together, come what will,
and l think as long as we are true to
ourselves we have nothing to fear, eth
er from invasion or hostile action of
the government at Washington.
After few commonplace remarks the
interview ended. Bushyhead was some.
what excited, and we have endeavored
to dress his crude utterances in plain En-
glish. 1t is safe to say he reflects the
sentiments of all the people Of his inn
mediate vicinity at least. Il. II.