The Lewiston teller. (Lewiston, Idaho) 1900-1905, 1905-03-14
INDIANS were
SHUT OUT
Failed to Secure a Place in Big
Inaugural Parade at
Washington

WASHINGTON, ID. c., March 10
This is not Wild West show" These
are the words Commissioner of Indian
Affairs Leupp used to blast the hopes
of a band of Sioux Indians who came to
Washington about March 3rd expecting
that they would be permitted to par
'&icipate in the inaugural ceremonies.
General Wilson. to whom the In
dams applied for permission to parti-
-cipate in the parade in their native re-
gala, referred them to Commissioner
Leupp. who told them order of parade
had been arranged and that to grant
their request would be an impossible
itty.
Il gave no more consideration to the
Indians who came here unasked than
would have given to any other inau-
xration visitors. They came unasked
and had no right to expect places in
the parade merely because they were
Indians. II I had granted the request
OF a band Of Sioux who came here I
would have been forced to act in the
same manner toward every Indian
wishing to participate in the ceremon-
les. The result would have been In
ilians everywhere, overshadowing
everything else both in number and in
brilliancy of costume"
Had l so desired could have had
hundreds of Indians come to the city
at their own expense. merely for the
privilege Of participating the ceremon-
les. Many. in fact did come, and some
even brought their squaws and pap.
ooses, wanting them to have places in
the parade too"
Commissioner Leupp says he has
been severely criticized by the people of
Arizona and other states for his action
in assigning AN honorary position in
the parade to the famous Indian medi-
sscine man and warrior. Geronimo.
1.-The Indians were represented" said
ase, speaking of the affair. by the chiefs
OF six famous nations at one time hos
tile to this country. The chiefs were
Quanah, of the COmmanche tribe; Ger
onimo, Of the Apache tribe; American
Horse. Of the Bruel Sioux. Little Plume
OF the Blackfoot; Buckskin Charley. OF
"A Rosebud Sioux. No objection to any
sof these has been made except toward
Geronimo. when. as matter of fact
the records of none would make pleas
ant breakfast chat
Zone of the reasons whey l assigned
Geronimo a place was because the idea
was approved by several of the mos
important OF the members OF the in.
saugural committee. Another reason
~as to show these old men, who, al.
though they are too old to change theil
own natures, still are influencing thu
younger generation of Indians, to make
a brother and a companion. rather thar
an enemy of the white man. wanted
10 show them that the government ap
preciates the attitude they have taken
There Is also smother reason.
Directly behind these old chieftain
-searh of whom represented nation
sence at war with this country. and sub
aued only at a great loss of life. Their
-smarched $50 students Of the Carlisl
INDIAN school The former were cla4
Fin their native regalia of feathers
? blankets and paint. The latter wer
clad in the regular uniform Of tn
United States cavalry. but We're dis
amounted. With the students Yves
fifty-piece band. every member @
which was full-blooded Indian and
( student of the Carlisle Indian schoo
My object was to contrast the old In
fians of the war path and the edu
Gated, manly Indians of today