Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1884-06-27
AN ELOQUENT INDIAN.
"A Neg Perce's story of the white
Mans Perfidy.
Philadelphia Times.

Perez Indian, copper-colofeo, sefoiis
Nv built and dressed in genteel black,
spoke on the wrongs Of his people the
other evening in the First Baptist
Church, Broad and Arch streets, with
an eloquence and pathetic power that
made his audience blush for the sins
of their Government. The meeting
was called under the direction OF the
Women's National Indian Associa-
tion and it was expected that Gener-
al Clinton b. Fiske Of New York, a
prominent advocate of the Indians
rights, would preside. Ia his absence,
George il. Stuart took the chair and
briefly sketched the work for the In
dian begun in Philadelphia some
years ago. The speaker Of the even
ing, who has been styled "the Indian
orator." then gracefully took his stand
behind the pulpit, and gazing coolly
upon his audience, deliberately ar
ranged number Of papers with which
he had come prepared to fortify his
cause. Reuben, who is apparently
about 80 years Of age, speaks excel
lent English, and as he dilated upon
the gross injustice that his tribe had
suffered and the many fragrant viola
tons Of all treaty obligations by the
Government he displayed vigor Of
thought and command of language
that surprised all. His stolid face be-
came animated and his appeals for
the Indian provoked frequent APP
plause. Having arranged his papers,
the Nez Perez began:
eff ] could only know your hearts
and how to address you and what
things you are interested in, | could
shape my address so as to please you
all. / will speak, however, only upon
the relations of my people and the
Government. viii not be permit
ted to tell the facts in detail, and will
devote my address entirely to the Ne2
Perez Indians. You have all heard
about the Nez Perez tribe, yet it may
be that there are some Of you who
have not had time to look over the
history and locality Of this people,
Then rapidly outlining the story o
his tribe, from their first discovery by
Lewis and Clark, who had been mos
kindly received by them, he told The
subsequent history of treaties mad,
by the Government only to be brolS
en-. Some of the tribe, he said, hay,
attained considerable degree of civ
ilization. "Some are very rich" sale
their defender; "they use the same
Bible as you, they worship tho same
God as you and they pray" A trans
lation Of the New Testament wa
made by himself into their Language
for those who have become Christian
and good citizens.
SIN all efforts for advancement
Chief Joseph took no part, but he cos
the Government nothing and wa
peaceful. Forced upon the reserva
ton with the others in the year lSi
by General Howard, he was drive
into war and captured by Genera
Myers. Though promised that h
should be sent to the reservation, thi
was refused him, and, with $50 OF hi
people, he was transported to the Ii
dian Territory, Only 210 of thes
now survive, unhappy and starving
and in their behalf James Reuben ha
come east to plead.
Il have come here to state the
case" he said. 81 wrote to t. Go,
eminent asking permission to tax
thirty widows and children, homeless
and friendless, back to Idaho. n
attention was paid. At last | wrot