The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1885-06-27
REL REBELS IN BUTTE
Two Prominent Participants
In the Riel Rebellion.
w HAT THEY say
They Believe that the Objects that
They Battled for viii
Be Attained.

General Gabriel Dumont. one NJ tha loo i
ers in the Riel Rebellion, in Manitoba. az.
companied by his Secretary, Michael Dumas
arrived in the city last evening, direct from
Helena. They are quartered at the Revere
house, by the courtesy Of some sympa.
thlzers, whose guests they are, a MINER re-
porter had an interview with them soon
after their arrival here and found then, To
be intelligent conference.-the. Dumas speak
ing an excellent English. General Dumont
is a heavy built man, about S feet 8 inches
IN height, As years of age and a man OF
powerful physique. He could undoubtedly
endure no end OF hardship and he looks
every inch a warrior. which is enhanced by
his swarthy complexion. Mr. Dumas is a
taller man, 35 years OF age, of a massive
and well knitted frame, and evidently a
man OF action, though he also speaks quite
fiuently.
OBJECTS OF THE
These wv gentlemen left Saskatchewan
on May 10th, after the capture OF Riel.
They have since passed from friends to
friends in various towns in the Territory.
Their object here is to arouse public senti-
ment in their favor, and to seek aid with
which to bring their families across the Dor.
der. They have been fighting in defence OF
their rights, and now feel that their cause
is lost; that they must remain here perma-
nently, in this land OF liberty. and, there.
fore. naturally desire to have their families
all in the struggle, and must begin life anew,
which they are brave enough to do.
They declare that they were compelled to
fight in protest of the gross violation of the
treaty with the settlers of the Northwest
Territory by the Dominion Government,
Nearly every provision of that treaty was
violated by the Dominion. They had nc
intention of
ESTABLISHING A SEPARATE GOVERNMENT,
and at no time desired anything but a full
fillment of treaty promises. TIL insurrec
/ ton was opened by the Council, of which
| Riel was not a member, and they did not
| regard Riel as a leader, but simply rs al
adviser. They speak OF him, however, in
the kindliest manner, and as a brave, val
iant and loyal soldier.
Mr.. Dumas said that had they had any
intention of establishing a separate govern
ment they would have secured arms and
would have had more men in the field. Al
the last battle the Dominion had 1900
men in the field the opposing forces only
475. There was no disposition to war fo1
anything but rights, guaranteed by treaty
No arms were received by the insurgents
from St. Paul, rs reported.
Mr.. Dumas thinks that the Government
will be lenient to the people OF the North
west and will treat them in n spirit OF iber
ality. He hopes that the uprising will hav'
the effect of arousing IL popular sentiment
that will compel justice to the people. ID
SAYS hat if this is accomplished he and hi
associates will be well satisfied to 60 int
exile. He says that if he and General Du
mont should locate in Montana probabl.
seventy families will follow them. .
They are of the opinion that Riel will b
acquitted and Gre confident that he viii
not be hanged. They fear that the Govern
ment will confiscate all their property, bu
hope to save beds, cows and such things a
are exempt from seizure under the Terri
torial laws.
Mr.. Dumas in his Interview maintained
conservative tone and impressed his heal
ers with his honesty and good intentions
General Dumont, who neither reads no
writes, speaks a fair French. He is just RI
covering from @G
sFvERE CAL WOUND .
which he received in battle. Their descriT
tions of their various engagements are yer
interesting. They were asked to address
meeting, but Mr.. Dumas said, very pathet
cally and very +earnestly-"I cannot COZ
sent. 1 have an uncle and a cousin
prison and 1 might injure their cause on
wives and children are bathed in tears {
consequences; we are expatriated; how
then, could l appear in public?"
The two champions of d los cause WI
remain here SO long rs their friends ma
feel inclined to maintain them. They al
penniless and anxious to raise means su
fcient to bring their families hither. Th
people OF Butte will, no doubt, give them
generous reception.