Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-05-13


A gentleman Who now lives in Boston, bu
Who formerly resided in Canada, and attended
the college where Louis Riel the insurgen'
received bis education, gives this glowing
description Of the chieftain Of the half-breeds
One of the half hundred contentious with
barbarous or semi-civilized nations wmcn
England has had on her hands during the
memory of men still living BY
the way, in which dilatory diplomacy played
1 very minor part-there has probably come
into view no character entitled to more OF our
respect and admiration than the leader OF the
Northwestern half-breeds. Singieness OF
parpose and steadfastness in devotion have
ever marked his course. 1t matters not, ID
considering his claims to our regard, that the
people for whom he is struggling are lew 10
numbers and of lower order OF humanity On
the contrary, they are all the more entitled to
iust treatment, and this no one VIII say tney
have RECEIVED. The American citizen,to en-
ploy slang phrase, 'knows how it Is himself
about Indian affairs. OF all the causes OF de-
cline in the Indian, it may be said that indul-
gepce in intoxicants is the most pernicious;
and early in his career Riei set his face as
flint against the payment of the hunters 10
this commodity. Bad rum in exchange for
good pelts was an arrangement peculiarly
satisfactory to the Hudson Bay Company,
and one that ii reinquished most reluctantly.
This piece of prohibitory work on Riefs part
was thorough, and 10 its effects, most saluta-
tary. During the agitation OF the reform,
he DISPLAYED qualities well calculated to en-
dear him to his followers. This modern
Logan, frequently on occasion, addressed
his motley assemblages, composed OF blacks,
half-breeds, French habitants, and other IN
congruous elements of border and backwoods
in French, English, and in his
own vernacular, as the case might require.
Thus is explained in great measure, the
of his following, and the person.
al popularity Of the man. And good reason
have the rude foresters to love and to confde
in their leader. He has always made their
interests his chief study. Many years
ago, Friar (now Bishop Tache, ministering
as q missionary with the Indians, took note
Of young lad, one of his flock, discerning
in him elements of character which the zeal
BUS priest fondly believed could be developed
20 the special profit of tle tribes. In his
mental vision be already beheld this son of
he soil in sacerdotal robes, performing the
ties of mother church for his brethren by |
natural and spiritual birth. To effect a re-
ult so desirable TO the good priest, he at
ached the boy to himself, and for years Riel
erved as acolyte, and in other ways assisted |
he good missionary in his arduous labors.
n time Riel was transferred from the will
erness TO the ancient city of Montreal.
vhere he pursued collegiate course, and
ven had honors conferred on him in one or
me or tive departments of study. 1t was
oticed that the instincts of early life had
lot been destroyed nor weakened by his SUBJ
equent associations with the whites. A IA
orite pastime of his during hours of recrea-
ion was the shooting of small game, both |
lrred and feathered with bow and arrow
n exercise in which he was particularly ex-
ert. He was quick to resent any actual or
ancied grievance, and could more than hold
is own in any encounter with fellow stu
ents, whenever occasion arose for him to
efend his rights. 1t was not destined, how
ver that Riel should become a priest. In
his the hopes of his patron were disappoint
d But good results did, nevertheless,
ccrue to the pastors flock through the train
lg and culture the future popular chieftain |
ad received. As cleric he would have
cen declared from indicating with the |
word the violated rights of his confreres. |
'eing a layman, he could employ force, and |
orce is cogent argument to the Britain and
lis descendant. The first fruits of RiePs
hiiities and devotion were secured early in |
he last decade, when the Canadian govern !
nent was reduced to the necessity and hui /
nifty of appealing to Bishop Tache to medi-
te with the aroused Indians for a pacifica-
ion. Through the influence of the prelate,
vho was hastily summoned home from Rome,
where he was attending the Vatican council,
peace was patched up, but its terms have
ince been violated time and time again, and
lew provocatives added. And now the
canadian government will have to look else
where for aid than to the bishop.