New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-08-01
The TREATY REJECTED.
SITTING BULLS DIPLOMACY PREVAILS
! THE SIOUX SWEAR BY THE GREAT SPIRIT TO
SIGN NO PAPERs-THEIR ARGUMENTS

THE SIOUX SWEAR BY THE GREAT SPIRIT III
SIGN NO PAPERS-TIIEIR ARGUMENTS.
Standing Rock Agency, Oak, July 81 (speciaD'-
To-day's conference by far the most interesting
yet held between the Commissioners ard the indians,
both because new influences were brought 10 oear
upon tine Indians and because they showed more thsn
ever their opposition to tho treaty. Last night tho
Indians had council, In which every one OF their
number over eighteen years of age was prescott ana
speeches earnest and fiery than ever were Hadc
by the chiefs. After speeches by Gall, John Grass
Mad Bear and others of prominence, vote was iaRen
the proposed acceptance of tho treaty, and every
dushy warrior shouted No" Not satisfied with this
tho most solemn of tho week was enacted' py
every Indian taking oath TO the Great Spirit thai
he would sign paper relative to tho treaty; 'ha'
he would sign neither the black paper, which means
Yes, nor the rcd paper, which means No.
Had the Commissioners been cognizant OF the fac's
whom they met in conference this morning. they
would not have been hopeful. The Commissioners
opened the conference promptly at o'clock this morn
ing all the Indians being present. including sitting Bull
who arrived last evening The old rascal Is suieh
and rcticent, but informed Interpreter that no
would never consent TO the signing of the treaty by
any Of HIS friends and that he thought the propcsi-
ton all In favor Of the white men. After open
Ing the conference, Chairman Pratt introduced Gov
Church. who arrived at tho agency last evening.
The Governor spoke to the Indians for thirty minutes,
and effective speech Agent Mclaughlin then pleaded
earnestly for the measure, and was followed by Judge
Wright but all the speeches were without effect
John Grass was the first of the Indians TO reply Hc
said Why do you want our lands Have You nos
enough land for the white people You are not pay
Ing us enough for our land. Our land must be worth
much TO the white man. for when they first come here
they very poor, and after they nave
been here some time they arc (pontng to the Col-
missioncrs and the GOvcrnOr dressed very well
I will not sign either paper" Grass maintained his
reputation a cunning speaker, and won applause
from the Indians Mad Bear spoke next; he opposed
the treaty very strongly. This was pretty dscourag-
Ing TO the Commissioners but they will not give up
yet and will hold another conference to-morrpw'
All interest centres I'm Sitting Bull, but he refuses
to have much 10 say. lie would not enter the circic
to-day, but during the conference sat outside on MS
pony. with Rain in the Face, who also declined to be-
come Pert o: the circle 1t Is worthy Of considera-
tion that within few hours from the time OF sttlns
Bulls arrival a; this agency the oath e. the 3reat
Spirit taken. and Sitting Bull was the Medicine
Man Of the nation during the great Indian wars lhS
Is known TO be one Of his tactics In controlling inc
tribe The Indians having a good time OF IT, as
they arc being fed by the Commissioners, ana fhcfs
can he no doubt of their plan to remain untll next
ration day. and then to bid the Commission farewell