Omaha daily bee., 1889-06-30
The Famous Indian Fighter Ad-
dresses the Pine Ridgers.
SOUND ADVICE GIVEN THEM.
He Tells Them What to Do ts Bet
tor Their Condition.
THE BILL A MOST LIBERAL ONE.
A Stop Toward Civilization Which
Should Not Be Ignored.
AMERICAN HORSE SIGNS IT.
Tho Celebrated Chief Creates a Sem
sation BY Affxing His signature
Little Wound Makes
Vigorous Protest
The Final Council.

The Final Council.
Prise RIDGE AGENCY, Dak., (via Rushville,
Ncb) June 29.-TSpecial Telegram to The
BEE AT the final council with the Indians
To-Day General Crook expressed his regret
that the bill had failed to meet their appro-
baton, and in substance said:
"I know when we are gone many things
will be said and all kinds Of stories will be
told and much feeling will be exhibited
against those who have signed the bill, but
they will be protected and shall not be per-
secuted. 1t will not be allowed. The COM
mission has been here longer than
expected, but in leaving you
we feel satisfaction that we
have done our duty in endeavoring to explain
the bill carefully to you. There is no one
who has come to US but what we have faith
fully done this. Some of the principal chiefs
have said they understood the bill, but they
have refused to sign it. Their reason for
this we do not know, but there is great
responsibility resting upon them, for as sure
as they changed their lives ten years
ago they must change again, and
the change in the future must be
greater than in the past The
government will not continue to feed you in
idleness. You will be more likely to receive
rstions longer if you show n disposition to
work and improve yourselves than if you do
not. Men who are chiefs and live in the
past cannot keep their positions. They must
keep up with the advancement Of the tribe
or be left like driftwood along the banks Of
the stream The influential men of the tribe
will be those who keep with the advance
toward civilization and prosperity.
No
who did not sign and will leave
the bill with your agent SO all that may de-
sire to sign in the future may do so.''
After General Crook had finished Colonel
Gallagher briefly addressed them. saying:
s'The commission are through with their
work here and will leave to-day. 1 have
to the commission, so you could do as you
wished in reference to the bill. l feel that
when the government sent me here as your
agent 1t was my duty to instruct you in
everything that was right and to your bene
fit. So in the present case 1 feel it my
duty to tell you that it is the
duty Of every Indian having his
own welfare and the prosperity
of his race at heart to come forward and
sign this bill shall make no difference in
those who do not. The government will GER
tainly favor those who tried TO aid its wishes
and go forward and better their condition
against those who did not. The government
does not wish to take anything from you
without pay. If you had hundred times the
amount of land as now you would
be no better off than now. If the
same proposition was made to white
10 l,A Tod
hesitation. The government must be sur
prised, even with your limited knowledge,
that you do not take advantage of its liberal
proposition. 1t is liable to decide in the fu-
ture that you had knowledge enough to un-
derstand this plain and liberal bill So it
will not be necessary to consult you in the
future. This commission has presented this
bill in fair and kindly manner and not tried
to force you to sign. They came to you as
friends and tried to advise you to do
what was right. II they have failed
IL must be your fault. Among the whites
every bill is left to a majority. If that was
the rule here the bill would be carried, as Q
majority OF all voters has signed. But your
treaty of 1868 says three-fourths must sign
In the division and sale of your land. / speak
TO you as friend, having only your good al
come forward and sign before the commis-
sion goes away. Those who do not may live
to be sorry, and those who do will live to
thank me. The government and commission
have donelt."
An invitation was extended to any lndiar
who wished to speak, and was promptly &C
cepted by American Horse, who made u long
powerful and sensational speech. In con-
a 81, a.
the allotment alone. II the Great Fathe,
would do this all would sign, but under nc
circumstances did his people wish severalty
now. ~ am man and speak openly. am
willing to sell this land now and use
my own judgment as to whether
am right or wrong. may be blamed by my
people because / am doing what think il
my duty, but we will depend upon each
others judgment when we know the wishes
of my Great Father. 1 shall say openly in
the sunlight, so everyone can see me, and
want the treaty to be fair and plain as the
daylight In which sign"
American Horse then called for the pen
and In the presence OF the council signed the
bill. This produced q sensation among
the assembled hundreds. Aftel
signing he requested TO keep the pen with
which he had signed. The request wa.
granted with complimentary remarks by
General Crook and Major Warner. He ther
continued by saying that his people had ,
petition TO the Great Father, through tbs
commission, praying the government
to give them patent tor lant
Of theirs left after taking their land
In severaity. General Crook stated thai
the commission had seen the petition
and would fayorably recommend II. Amer
ican Horse Immediately begged Three Stars
TO sign the petition, which he did, followed
by Major Warner and Colonel Gallagher
The signing was greeted with the widest
enthusiasm and applause by the indians
Little Wound followed in a bitter speech
against the bill to which Major Warner re-
piled. refuting many points stated By Little
Wound.
After the council an issue Of ninety