Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-08-01
THE FORT LARAMIE SPEECH.
How Fremont Dcfied the Indians Who
Impeded His Way.

Fremont's speech to the Indians at Fort
Laramie has often been spoken Of ss the turn
ing point in his career. In a sense it was q
turning point since every resolution taken by
very brave man increases his capacity for in
dependent decision OF action. but at Fort Lara
mic there was probably no room for doubt in
Fremont's mind whatever, which Is scarcely
the case with man on the point of supremacy
important step. 1t will be remembered shat
the first expedition set out In 1912, Lieut. Free
mont having been married little over six
months when he loft Washington to mako his
preparations FOR departure. On the 18th of
July the expedition reached Fort Laramie. The
outlook, II II proceeded. was one well calcu-
lated TO alarm. The Sioux were in open
hostility and, united with the Cheyennes
and Gros Ventres, were securing the upper
country in war parties of great force. AT the
time they were known to be directly in the
path OF tho expedition. The voyagers were
in CONSERVATION. When Fremont coolly pre-
pared TO go on Carson a. coolly made his will
The explorer was on the point Of starting when
the chiefs assembled at the fort attempted to
detain Fremont on the plea that their young
men on the war path would mistake him for an
enemy. Fremont answered by asking the elder
chiefs to accompany him and thus prevent
;bloodshed. They refused and almost with his
foot in the stirrup Fremont made them q
speech which was Of the true Lestherstocking
you say that you love the whites. Why,
then, have you killed 20 many this spring?
You say that you love the whites and are full
Of many expressions Of friendship TO US, but
you are not willing to undergo the fatigue OF y
few days ride to save our lives. We do not
believe what you have said and will not listen
to you. Whatever q chief among US tells his
soldiers to do IL done. We are the soldiers of
the great chief, your father. He has told US to
come here and see this country and all the In
dians, his children. Why should We not 60?
Before we came We heard that you had killed
his people snd ceased to be his children, but
VIC came among you peaceably, holding out our
hands. Now we find that the stories We heard
are not lies aud that you are no longer his
friends and children. We have thrown
away our bodies and will not turn
back. When you told US that your
young men would kill us you did
not know that our hearts we're strong, and you
did not see the rides which my young men
carry in their hands. We are few and you are
many, and you may kill US ell, but there will
DO much weeping in your villages, for many Of
your young men will stay behind aud forget to
return with your warriors from the mountains
Do you think that our great chief will let his
Before the SHOWS melt again bis warriors will
sweep away your villages az the Gre does the
prairie in autumn. See! have pulled down
my white houses and my people arc ready.
Whom the sun 10 ten PAGES higher we shall be
on the march. II You have anything to tell rs
you will say IL soon."
Without waiting for . reply he broke up tho
conference and In few minutes was among
the hilla