Bismarck tribune., 1884-02-22
SIOUX COUNCIL.

SIOUX COUNCIL.
Flyinp Cloud introduced resolution that q
memorial be forwarded to tho United States
congress, protesting against the reduction OF
Indian reservations. In support of the resolu-
tion he said:
MR. CHAIRMAN: But few years ago the
whispering breezes which famed our galvanized
cheeks and sighed in mournful melody
through our old gold legs, swept over land
that was all the Indians. The paleface with his
patent suspenders and open-back shirts was yet
far to the eastward, and our hearts were glad.
We gazed over the broad sea Of hill and vale
and said it is all ours. Our eyes swept the
broad land from horizon to horizon, and we
felt that we had considerable real estate on hand
and were as proud and pompous as bus
driver.
Then came the advance guards of the white
man, and we Loved back. Time and time
again he has called upon Us to shinny on our
own side, and in Difference to his wishes we
have retreated further and further toward the
bedroom of the declining sun. Several times we
have protested against this, and in the heat of
debate have slain some of the invaders and un-
covered their bulging domes Of thought and
filed the coverings away as mementoes OF the
argument, but they would send their soldiers
and fire guns and reason with us, and we have
bowed to their wishes and generously moved
back. Now they have crowded Us onto reserva-
tions so small that the toes of our beloved
squaws lap over onto the adjoining government
lands.
Now they would tell us we must spoon closer
and must give up more of our lands. The wind
shooters of the congressional halls beneath the
eye of the Great Father recline their voluptu-
ous abiomens on their desks and endeavor to
catch the eye of the speaker to tell him that the
Indian must crowd up and make room for civ
ilization. The country appears to have more OF
a job lot of civilization on hand than it has
room for.
Mr.. chairman, Went to Washington to raise
my voice against this outrage, and was treated
with contempt. protested against this injus-
tice, and was sat down on and referred with
my story to the marines. I was even mistaken
for one of the Dakota delegation, and hooted at
Wy gAO oIu0AA OOy 0AN ooACA "AAOA oANO VI 'oS
46th parallel my humble home stood on. My
heart was sad, and rheumatic pains swept
through my soul.
Then called on the Great Father md told him
of our wrongs, and he asked me to
wipe the debris from my chin. told him we
looked to him for protection, and he asked me
to explain more succinctly what I was givin'
him. told him that our souls were crushed
and bleeding beneath the iron heel of the op
pressor, and he asked me how Logan was re-
garded as presidential candidate in my dis
trict depicted in vivid colors the wrongs
under which we lie helpless and bleeding and
he said he would recommend to congress that
our name be changed to Dennis. Is this the
treatment due the representative of great
people? We're these the words which I should
bear to you from the head Of great nation ?
You shake your heads in sorrow. As 1 stood
there In his presence the words of the great poet
flashed through my brain:
"Although beneath the iron heel
OF oppression you are cringin',
'Twon't do no good to Wake squeal-
Your cake is dough, poor Injun!"
Mr.. Chairman, are we dogs? (Apparent divi-
sion of opinion.) Must we grovel around be.
| meath the table in quest of crumbs while ou1
oppressors amble away with the cake? No! A
Thousand or eleven hundred times no!
Once we were happy and contented. The
game covered the hills aud supplied us with
amp food, and an occasional emigrant trim
afforded US with diversion enough to relieve
ennui. Our equaws filled our hearts with pride
1oI Ixrikh b~oo ohos
on, and che world looked bright and beautiful.
Oh, that had died years before I was born
Where now is the warrior proud?
Where now is the naughty chief?
They are buried beneath cloud
OF copper rivited grief
Ic the odor laden air of their hauuts
They crouch and murmur: my name is
Pants.''
Once the sun peeped over the hills
And socially kissed our cheeks,
And the murmurings of the rills
And the sweeping voice of the creeks,
Seemed tossing q song to our prwer and pride
Now they laugh in our faces and call US snide.
Mr.. Chairman, if the reservations are again
reduced we are liable to be arrested for tress-
pass every time we back over onto homestead
claim to yawn and stretch our weary limbs. We
will be crowded up 80 that the rest of the family
will be obliged to lie fiat on the earth to give the
old man room every time he makes his semi
annual change of shirt. Let us forward this
protest and if it is rejected, we can but submit.
We can but fold our hands across our lank ab-
domens and bow to the inevitable. have
spoken.
- - -. ... 's-. !
SHE WANTED TO BE SURE.
At noon yesterday . girl about nineteen
tune came up to the delivery window of the
postofioe, threw down letter and ssid to the
clerk: - -~.Sa
us that air stamp all squee-gee?" .-
Eyes, it SCENE to be all right"