New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-01-31
THE pONCISAND yEZ PERCES.

THE PONC.1S AND NEZ PERCES.
An item of interest to the friends OF the
POncas which did not appear in the Report or
the Commission is contained in the minority
report of MIR. Allen, who gave the reasons why
the chiefs had decided to remain i'll the Indian
Territory. 1t will be remembered that the
Poncas have during the three years and hall
since their foIcible removal from their homes III
Dakota, been kept in absolute ignorance OF the
public interest in their case or of the legal
decision which restored their property to them.
They stated to tie Commissioners that they
had been for three years and half trying to
regain their Dakota lands in vain; that they
were told how those who ran away were AZ
rested, ard that those who reached Dakota
found their homes destroyed ana were uenlc"
all their annutics, Treated a. Outcasts; they
knew that one chief was shot dead Tor having
left the reservation, and lastly they saw the
messenger of their counsel treated as Il crlml-
nal by Agent Whiting and his police, and
driven Oft with a revolver at his head. " These
things" said the chiefs, made us give up"
They signed the paper stating their willingness
to remain. in despair; but having signed It, they
declare they will abide by it. White Eagle )
last words TO the Commission were: We nave
"put Our hands to the pen, ana when an Indian
"puts his hand to the pen, he considers that nc
"has done sacred thing"
There is a probability that justice will now be
done to another wrongCd tribe beside the
Poncas. The members of the Commission,
headed by General Miles. have appealed to the
President to restore the Ncz PerccS to Idaho.
This tribe it will be remembered, were among
the best types of Indian character; they were
RAPIDLY becoming civilized; farmcd the rch
district of Wallowa Valley, and remained
pcaccdble and faithful to the whites while all
their allies were at war with them. Two years
after the WalIoWa Valley was given to them by
solemn treaty it was taken from them by the
Indian Bureau, in order 20 make room for the
miners. PaIt of the tribe were On a rcServa
ton IN Idaho; the remainder, under Chief
Joseph, began the march to join them, when
they were attacked by whites, who carried oil
their cattle. I he fight began; at last Joseph
surrendered to General Miles under the express
condition that his band should join the lest of
the tribe in Idaho. General Miles gave his
pledge to this effect; in Sp OF which the III
dian Bureau sent them to the malarous belt OF
the Indian Territory, where Uihina few months
one-fouith of their number died. General
Miles now asks that the pledge OF the Govern
mpnt made nj their surrender may br lcdc med.
Soldiers ale apt to have kccncr perception OF
honor aud Justice than Indian Bureaus.
Joseph and his band were Described IN the
Official reports of the Commissioners at the
time as brave men and skiliul soldiers. who
were cucroachrd upon 10y whites on soil
which they believed their OWL and were com
spelled TO take mp arms since their drlcn-
ton in the Indian Territory they have made
earnest Efforts ii sclf-impIoycmrnt. They wcal
civilized clothes, work hard. and the school is
crowded, the teacher reporting tha' they come
early and stay as long IL the hight ll,l~, 80
eager are they to learn. We believe that rc,ti-
tuition will he made to these people as wei IL
to the POucas. Congress begins to src that
almS giving and cruelty are not ~ practical or
efficient mcthod Of settling Indian difficulties
as mat,cr-Of-lact justice.