New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-07-24
NO FAITH IN THE PALEFACES
UNwONTED EXCITEMENT AMONG THE SIOUX
INDIANS.

| BEAR AND OTHERS-UNANIM0US AND
SAVAGE OPPOSITION To OPENING
| TILE RESERvATIoN-A CON.
| FERENCE TODAY
iBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TKrBUNE.
Standing Rock Agency, Dakota July 23.-All is cx-
citement on the Sioux Reservation Never since tho
granting Of the great tract Of land to tho Indians at
the close Of the Sioux have the Indians been so
thoroughly awakened or the white settlers deeply
Interested 1t has been supposed by great majority
Of the reading people that the Sioux Reservation con-
tanning 90 900 900 of land opened for settle
mcnt by the recent act Of Congress, but the clause
making 1t necessary to the consent of three
fourths of the Indians may keep tho land from the
public domain for many years. The Commission ap-
pointed by President Cleveland to confer with the In
dans arrived here yesterday to hold conference with
the Sioux chiefs. Nearly 5000 Indians Of this agency
campcd within two miles of Fort Yates, and ad
dtons to their number are arriving hourly Tho willy
! Sioux braves have not waited to meet the Commission
to discuss the question, but at o'clock this evening
| they formed an immense circle the prairie, and
I'm the history Of the tribes eloquent
or more stirring speeches made by dusky
orators. without regard to the merits of the propo
| sitlon made by the Government and with definite
understanding Of the proposed treaty, the tribes
gathered here oppose the opening of tho reservation
Sitting Bull, the famous Medicine Man. who made tho
medicine for the Custer massacre, is the only wcll-
known Indian not present and several policemen have
been riding tho reservation in pursuit Of him for
four days. News received here to-day that he will
be brought back tomorrow. He left the agency for
hunt, but It is believed the sly old trickser has been
at work among the Indians of other agencies sowing
seeds OF dscod and urging them to oppose the measure
Knowing that the conference with the Commissioners
will be held tomorrow the Indians called private
council to-day and in the centre Of their vast city of
tents, which wero pitched at daylight yesterday
ing, they formed the circle which composed OF
wagons ponies nearly 1000 orators The council
was kept secret from the whites, but your corre-
spondent with friendly interpreter was present. Tho
Indians selected Chief Gall, John Grass, Mad Bear,
Big Head and Running Antelope their orators for
to-morrow's conference.
John Grass, the Chief Justice Of tho Sioux Court,
the first to speak. he advised the Indians to be
careful in what they say to the Commission, and no
matter what is said to make decision until after
mature consideration. He said
"The treaties made before by the whites have been
broken by them. think these men sent out by the
Great Father TO make THIS treaty about land have
come for some purpose. The Government will sup
port for twenty-five years and after that time we will
have to pay taxes and will be very POOR
Mad Scar, another of the great chiefs, said
"Thesc Commissioners have to talk with
about lands. They come here with an interpreter
and must have one TO look after our interests.
You have chosen four OF us to DO tho talking for tho
tribe and We VIII work hard Do net forget, fellow
WARRIORS that II you sign this paper giving away your
lands you can never got 1t back again. No matter
how much you may pray, It Will be gone forever.
Mad Bear repeated that the whites had broken all
former treaties with the Indians and at the close
his speech there were numerous grInts OF applause
from the circle Up to this time tho council had been
quiet and comparatively cold. The applause which
is given By grunts and cultural explosions mild,
but vhcH Mad Bear took his seat and Chief Gall
maiestically, the Indians went wild. Gall is the
handsomest and most commanding Indian Of the tribe
and field general l. all the brilat manueuvres
during the Custer campaign for which Sitting Bull
given credit. He Is unquestonably the first lv-
ing Indian orator and his speech to-day pronounced
by tho interpreters TO be the most eloquent de-
livcred the reservation. Among other things, he
said on aludlng to the arrival Of the Commissioners
and the proposed new treaty:
These Commissioners have come to talk about
lands Five Of have been chosen to speak. When
confront them In council tomorrow. must not
speak fast; must know what want before ask
for It, We should listen to the whites and learn what
they TO offer, and then should without foolish
speaking think what willing TO give. When /
at Fort Rice many years ago there treaty
made with In this treaty the whites madc great
promises They told would have many catte and
that horses would cover the plains returned In
few years and learned that again deceived.
They did not keep their word and we were as fools
When they made that treaty they told that our lands
went noit tn to the river OF the Cannon Ball Now they
tell further toward the great north light
than the Cedar Creek. Again are driven. when
the Commissioners have they have made us many
big promises. They would not tell what the Great
Father sad but would talk please the Indian heart
We believed them, but have list much OF our lands
and children have been hungry. In the past have
complained believed the Great Father was honest
and have acted with a good heart but unless this
treaty with ia fair and told the truth, my
heart will not bo good We cannot accept land apart
(meaning scyeIalty) We wont grazing lands our
reservations have been growing smaller and smaller,
and We vs. q hunting
buraoes have been kicd by the whites and now they
want land They come. 1 hear, with two papers,
to take lands and 10 keep them They toll
sign tho other anl our names wfl
be counted This is tho first time I knew that
Indian be made to sign paper against his will
At the close Of Calls speech, the applause was
savagely enthusiastic At this point Two Packs, an
excited chief, the reporter near the circle and
thinking him one Of the commissioners exclaimed
II you are here to talk with us, come inside and
tell us what you want DO not stay outside listening
to u.s. but let hear your
This created wild excitement among the Indians
but after argument the part Of rhe Interpreter
the orators proceeded. After speeches by Running
Antelope, High Bear and others and the reading OF
the proposed treaty which printed IN the Sioux
language, Mad Boar again addressed the circle and
called upon all opposed giving consent to the treaty
rise. Every Indian in the the circle sprang to his
feet with whoop and this performance was so
satisfactory the orators that repeated three
times after which dog soup and coffee were served
The pacific speech Of tl- day was made by running
Antelope who advised his people to bo calm.
The treaty aims TO open onchalf Of the reservation
or about II 0oO 900 to settlement, and to I'D
81 600 for tho purchase Of farm implements
and stock for the Indians. who are TO select farms
Immediately upon the ratification Of the treaty The
land be settled will be sold TO actual settlers at
60 cents an acre and It is estimated that the funds
thus raised Will be over SjOoo,0o0, which shall be |
placed at Interest tu the credit of the sioux nation.
Ii is the most i'm porant step toward the development
Of the Northwest taken for years as IL means tho
immediate building OF the Chicago. Milwaukee ard -.
Paul and the Chicago and Northwestern roads to the
Black Hills. -. -
IS dynamite boom In blankets when harmony is |
wanted.
COLEHANS OFFER TO HIS CREDITORS