The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-01-10
BY BRIG. GEN. A. S. BURT.

By BRIG. GEN. A. S. BURT
the sense Of the dictionary's def
milton Of democracy-'g government
by the people''-an Indian village
in the frontier days of long ago
was a community of the purest democ-
racy. 1 speak of the village. not the
tribe. Each tribe of our plains and
mountain Indians in the old days was
composed of several villages whose
range was separated. This was necessary
so that each might have its hunting or
pasture range. The Indian band had a
head man or chief to carry out the or
ders Of the dog soldiers" the warriors.
This chief ordinarily was selected by
them and put at the head of the band
50 long as they chose TO have him there.
He held his position because of his sue
cess In hunting, horse stealing and
deeds of daring in the frequent Skin
mishes with hostile neighbors.
Everything pertaining to the general
welfare Of a band was decided In coun-
ell. The chief had control in matters
OF discipline or what might be regarded
as details OF administration. but every
thing Of Importance, every proposition
or measure bearing on the general good
or i'll was discussed in council.
When a camp was to be moved. a
hunt made. a medicine dance proposed:
when youth was to be Initiated as a
warrior or peace or war discussed,
whether in the spring. laying their
plans for summer before leaving the
agency, or in the fall returning to II
TO loaf, dance and gamble the winter
away, there must always be a council
more dignihed. and almost as Ioquacious
as our supreme council in the year of
Presidential election.
Council Lodge Provided.
A council lodge was provided for ev-
cry band, and the council was sum
rnoned TO meet on any or every occasion.
All warriors were ex officio members OF
the council. Each could speak, but as
In civilized councils. comparatively few
individuals did most OF the talking. The
conclusion was arrived at by aecIama-
ton. The old men were swayed by -ea-
son and eloquence, the younger by pas
sion and the personal popularity OF the
speaker or his subject; but though these
latter are usually in the numerical as
cendancy and might have their own
way, they generally acquiesced in the
decision OF the chiefs. sages and medi-
cine men.
Besides the chiefs and council there
was in the government OF each Indian
band third estate" to which in all
matters pertaining TO its rights and
duties all had to submit This power
consisted Of the men of the banS who
had passed the ordeal as warriors and
were yet not old enough TO be exempt
from active service. It was the mobiI-
lied militia OF the band 1t was a sort
/ of guild" had it's secret meetings. ifs
councils. and decided many questions
without consulting chiefs or council.
They were the soldiers OF the band. and
were generally called dog soldiers. -
from the fact, presume, that amonR
the Cheyennes or dog Indians. "Chey-
enne" probably comes from the word
"Chien'' given this tribe by the old
French Canadian "voya1uves. All the
chiefs in their youth were Obliged to
serve in the ranks OF the dog sol
diers." not necessarily IN command. for
those redoubtable warriors would mo-
permit even the chief to name thei,
leader. They elected him themselves
from among the most sagacious and
popular hunters. In "oid times" tbs
powers and duties Of the dog soldiers
were very great. Then the women
children, horses. lodges. and propertv
of every kind were under his protec.
ton. They regulated the marches. Sc
lected the camping places, furnished
guards for the camps and animals. They
planned all hunts, directed all sur.
rounds. and distributed the game. The
widows and orphans Of the tribe were
un&er their special charge. and were
oy them provided with food and other