Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1891-02-19
SAW THE GREAT FATHER.

The Delegation Of Sioux Chiefs Call Upon
the President at the White House-The
Presid mt Makes Short Address,
Through an Interpreter, Wherein He
Gives the Indians Some Timely Advice
as to the Conduct of Themselves and
Their Young Men.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 1S.-The Sioux In
dams called at the Executive Mansion
at one o'clock yesterday afternoon and
were ushered into the East room.
They We're drawn up in a semi-circle.
The Presidents family and a number
of invited guests were present. Rev.
Mr.. Cook acted as interpreter. Shortly
after one o'clock the President APP
peared and addressed them as follows:
.'Will you say to them, Mr.. Interpreter,
that have given them an audience to-day
without any intention of talking to them at
any length. They have had opportunity to
state to the Secretary of the Interior ana to
the Commissioner of Indian Affairs their
wants and views. These officers will bring
what has been said to my attention. One
two things will say myself. 1t has been
a great grief to me that some of the people
represented by you have recently acted
badly; have gone upon the war path against
the Government. You can get nothing by
war, except punishment. You should I'M
derstand by this time that you are too weak
to contend against the United States in war.
to be warriors, but citizens. When
you suffer any wrong through the agents
| who are over you, or from any white set
| tiers who are about you, you should peace
| fully make these things known to us here.
The President; the Secretary OF the interior,
| the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, the
Congress and the great mass of our people
| desire to deal kindly with you. The agree
| ment that was made with you by General
Crooke and Governor Foster and MIR.
| War 20 all a Si ire tn 81 n
| to do all that promised to do 1 have
| asked the Congress to pass laws to carry out
| every provision of the contract made with
| you. 1t is believed now that full proVl-
| sion has been made for this. You
| must not expect that you and your children
| will always be fed by the Government of the
| United States without working yourselves.
| Every white man works for the bread ana
| meat that sustains him, and you must learn
| to do "a little more for your own support
| every year. You must tell your young men
to spend their money, or trade their ponies,
| for sonnet Iing that is good for them, and not
for rifles. / shall try to see that the Indian
| police are so increased upon the reserva-
tionS to protect you against any bad
| white mcn who may live about you. W G
| will try il every way to give your people
| employment about the agencies, with the
| army. in the Indian police, and otherwise,
| as we can, and you must each take your al
| lotmcnt and endeavOr the best you can to
| earn your living, either by blowing or by
| raising cattle or horses. or some other peace
full industry. hope you will return to the
| reservation with these things settled in your
minds, nd you may depend upon us to do
| every t. ing to promote the advancement of
| your tri e to protect you against agSreS
sion or injury from those who are about you,
and to ncourage every Indian who is dis
| posed be peaceful and Industrious"
At IS conclusion each Indian was in.
trodue ID and shook hands with the
| Presid mt. The Indians left the EXecu-
tive Mansion and spent the evening
shopping. They leave for the West at
eight clock this morning.