Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-04-03
Chief RicI and the Canadian Revolt

Chief RicI and the Canadian Revolt.
Chief Louis Riel who is now at the head
of Il force of more than 1900 halfbreed In
dams, armed and drilled, in open rebellion
against the Canadian government, is II
man something like Barrios, the Central
American usurper While retaining the
lawless instincts of his wild nature, he
has the ambition and many other qualities
of Il man reared under the advantages of
a more civilized state. He is brave and
persistent, something of military leader,
and man of ineXhaustible native energy.
The history of the present revolt is prac-
tically the history of this man Riel
Riels career began with the revolt in
Manitoba, in 1870. The Hudson Bay com
pany had sold their rights in the North
eastern part of the British American Do
minon to Canada. When the Canadian
government attempted to establish its au.
thority over the territory formerly con
trolled by the Hudson Bay company, the
half-breeds, under the leadership of Riel
resisted what they considered to be the
unjust occupation of their territory pro
claimed the republic of Manitoba; seized
the Hudson Bay officials and stores
and offered armed resistance to the
entrance of the Canadian governor, Nc
Dougall. A provisional government was
set up by Riel and his followers at For
Garry, a well-equipped outpost, and the
English settlers were compelled to &C
knowledge the authority of the new re
public. The rebellion assumed such {
/ arin hut hn
ment sent out strong expedition under
Lieut.. Col. Wolseley, then comparatively
unknown, to quell the insurgents. /
was in the conduct of this expedition tina
the present commander of the Englisl
army in Egypt.won his first laurels. HI
led his troops successfully through tn,
almost painless wilderness to Fort Garry
dislodged the insurgents, drove Riel owe
tie border and completely crushed tn,
incipient rebellion.
Rel kept quiet until the famous attemp
of the Fenians to march into Manitoba wa
made, when he rcappeared, and Offered
his services to the government as the lead
er of an expedition against the invaders
Thus re-establishing himself in the prov
ince. in 1873 his popularity in Manitoba
had become so great that he was elected
representative TO the Canadian Parliamen
from that province and he actually haC
the hardwood to go to Ottawa to be sworl
in but, learning that, as an outlaw, hi
head was in danger, he left the Canadian
capital before measures could be taken t.
apprehend him, and has never since dare,
to return.
The scene of his latest plots against tn
Canadian government has been the Prime
Albert settlement. about 800 miles north
west of Winnipeg. Here he found the half
breed population in ripe state fo
his revolutionary schemes. The hal
breeds had been oppressed, and thei
lands had been forcibly taken from ther
by white Jumpers" They were alread
on the verge of Il revolt against the CAM
dian government and it only needed tn
intriguing spirit and fiery energy of RE
to bring them to the point of armed IT
sstance. Should the reported statemer
prove true, that the Dominion govern
ment has decided to appoint commissio
to enquire into the justice of the claims {
the half-breeds, with a view of securin
an amicable settlement, the rebellio
may vet be forestalled by peaceab
means. But it is not likely that ma
like Riel, who makes his capital out {
, the disaffection of his class, and who pc
sesses the most absolute influence Ovt
them, will consent to the terms whic
: the Dominion government will be like
to offer. so many conflicting rumOrs III
in circulation that it is almost impossib
: to tell the actual state of affairs at VII
nipeg, but it is probable that active ho
} Utilities may soon be expected.