Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-02-13
AcALL ON THE "eReAT % FATHER"
The Sioux Delegation in Washington Pay
Their Respects to the President.
nv teIoornnh IN the DIsnatrh1

by telegraph 20 the Dlspatch.l
WASHINGTON, February 12.-The Indian
chiefs now in the city called at the White
House in body at 1 o'clock to-day and
paid their respects TO the President. They
were accompanied by the Commissioner of
Indian Affairs and several interpreters.
The reception took place in the East Room
at the close Of the regular weekly reception
TO the public. They ranged themselves in
o circle and listened attentlvely to n
short address by the President, in the
course of which he pointed out the folly
of their going TO war with the whites and
made it very plain that if they made any
more trouble they would be punished. The
Indians were then individually presented
to the President by Rev. MIR. Cook, half
breed Episcopal minister. Each shook
hands with the President and bowed when
presented, but made no attempt at con-
versation. Mrs. Harrison, Mrs. Mckee.
Mrs. Russell Harrison, Mrs. Dimmock,
Mrs. Parke, and Mrs. Perrin were inter-
ested spectators of these
BENJY's BENEDICTIoS.
The following is the text of the Presi-
dents address: :" Will you soy to them,
Mr. Interpreter, that l have given them
an audience this morning without any in
tention of talking to them at any length.
They have had an opportunity to state TO
the Secretary of the Interior and to the
Commissioner of Indian Affairs their wants
and views. These officers will bring
what has been said TO my atten-
ton. One OF two things / will say
myself. 1t has been great grief to me
that some Of the people represented by
you have recently acted badly, have gone
on the war-path against the Government.
You can get nothing by war except punish
~ NJ nd lnrv
time that you are too weak to con-
tend against the United States in war.
You must teach your young men not to be
warriors, but citizens. When you
suffer any wrong through the agents
who are over you, or from any
white settlers who are about you,
YOU should peacefully make these things
known to us here. The President, the
Secretary of the Interior, the Commits
sioner of Indian Affairs. Congress, and the
great mass of our people desire to deal
kindly with you. The agreement that was
made with you by General Crook and
Governor Foster and Mr.. Warner we all
desire TO carry out faithfully-to do all
that we promised TO do. / have asked
Congress to pass laws to carry out every
provision of the contract made with you.
1t is believed now that full pro-
vision has been made for this. You
must not expect that you and your
children will always be fed by the Govern.
ment of the United States without work
ing yourselves. Every white man works
for the bread and meat that sustain him,
and you must learn TO do little more for
your own support every year. You must
tell your Young men TO spend their money
or trade their PONIES for something
that is good for them, and not fol-
rifles. / shall try to see that the
Indian police are increased on the reserva-
tions 80 as to protect You against any bad
white men who may live about you. We
will try in every way 10 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
allotment and endeavor as best you can 10
earn your living. either by ploughing or by
raising cattle or horses or by some other
peaceful industry. hope you viii return
to the reservation with these things set
tied in your minds, and you may depend
upon us TO do everything we can TO pro-
mote the Advancement Of your tribe; Ia
protect you against aggression OF injury
from those who are about you, and to en-.
courage every Indian who is disposed to
De peaceful administrations"