Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1884-08-07
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REUBEN'S LETTER.

| fnend OF the whites, and lover of the white
man government, and possessing read
mess TO cooperate in extending that gov
ernment with its burdens and privileges
over the Me- Perces, then we do not
blame him for being stirred up at what
we said Of him in the TELLER Of the
10th ult. But from our standpoint, We
at present cannot regard him in that light.
not because he is an Indian instead of a
white man, but because of the course
which he h1s pursued in reference to the
relations of the whites to the Indians.
Personally, We have no cause of quarrel
with Indian Reuben; in fact, we have al
ways treated him courteously, aud so been
treated by him. We have known him
for many years, aud We commend him for
the energy he has displayed in educating
himself in the English language, and for
the success he has attained. We are glad
that he has writer the letter which we
publish to-day, and freely give place to i,
in our paper. If he can make it appear
that he is true American, and that he
desires to raise the people of his tribe to
a standard Of true Americans, nothing
would please us better. The article which
We published on the 10th ult. in relation
to him was not, as he supposes, prompted
by any man other than ourself. 1t was
written from our own reflections upon
the history Of the war Of 1877, and
what has followed since in which Reuben
has taken part. During that history if
the conduct of Reuben has been mi,rep-
resented to us, we are sorry. In regard
to the Moses letter we may be mistaken
in regard to his instigating or writing that
letter, but We think we are not mistaken
when we say that he endorsed the allega-
tons Of that letter at the council held at
Lapwai, early in December last, when the
matter was investigated by the Inspector.
In regard to his opposing the railroad, he
admits the fact, and claims that it was
right for him to do so. We do not deny
that he had that right, but We claim that
in making that opposition he was doing
an injustice to the white citizens who
were interested in making preliminary
survey for railroad up the Clearwater
and through the Bitter Root mountains.
Reuben complains that We attack him fc,
attempting TO cause return of Chief
Joseph and his band to Idaho, and did
not attack the other honorablcs IN the
East who favored that return. He is
mistaken in surprising that We did not at
tack those parties in the east who favored
Joseph's return. The TELLER has, from
time to time, mentioned General Miles.
Mrs. Garfield and the petitioners, aud all
whom the editor knew to be engaged in
attempting to bring about the return Of
the hostiles, asserting that the policy
would only beto create disturbance among
the Indians on the reservation, and en-.
gender hostility with the whites. Blu,
surprising that We had not done so, il
would have been our imperative duty to
have assailedJames Reuben for that effort
to bring Joseph back, because he knew
above all others, of those he has pamed
in the east, the condition of the Nex
Parccs here, and the whites living in the
vicinity OF the reservation, and knew that
Joseph's return with his band would be
likely 10 engende- another war between
whites aud Indians. Reuben asks il We
know anything about those persons to
whom he refers as favoring Joseph's re-
turn We answer that VIC know that no
one Of them knew by actual observation
of the situation of this people, and hence,
could not decide iutelligently upon the
propriety and expectancy of Joseph's re-
turn. Now, after Reuben's efforts to ge,
Joseph back have failed he says al
would rather that Chief Joseph aud Vel
low Bull, and few of their followers
ought not to come to this country" But
says: "Thcre are some who think ought
to come to this country, those peaceahe
and christian Indians among Joseph's
band, not actually belonging to
Chief Joseph In regard to the
charge made against Reuben, that while
he was acting as scout for Gen. Howard
he led the hostile force on the day that
Lieut.. Rains aud party were killed, and
that VIM, Foster saw him.. knew him and
the horse he was riding, and the cloak
that he wore, and so reported the facts at
Cottonwood. This was at the time when
he and Blewe,t, in going up Lawyers can-
yon, above the Mt. IDAHO road, and they
attacked them aud killed Blewett, and