The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1921-01-21
THEY PLACED THEIR TRUST
IN UNCLE SAM

IN UNCLE SAM
They placed their holdings as well
as their trust In Uncle Sans keep
ing In the treaties OF iSSi-s2'
treaties OF peace and friendship" as
they were termed. by which the gov
eminent was 10 reserve in pcrpctuity
for the Indians $500. 600 acres OF
land: 10 provide instructors and
schools. and 10 pay certain sums In
goods amounting TO 81 100000.
In return the Indians agreed TO
cede their land rights 20 the govern
n,ent. 10 accept its sovereignty. TO
keep the peace and TO take rs speci.
flied reservations.
With singular fidelity. the red men
kept their pledge: but the govern
ments part OF the transaction has
been officially termed tho most flag'
rant cas-. OF wholesale injustice ever
perpetratcd upon thesortginal Ameri'
can
Lands then worth between $40.
COO 900 and sis 200. 900. at the rate
Of el.s5 per acre. were taken from
the Indians, even tho the senate OF
s5l-5e didn't ratify the treaties. while
nothing was given In return.
TREATIES CONVENIENTLY
LOST IN WASHINGTON
Much TO the liking OF influential
Argonauts whose gold stampede ouf'
fcted these brown folks from their
ancient home in the golden bills and
valleys. the "tr-atscs of peace and
friendship were conveniently lost
in the secret archives at Washing
ton. They have been bat recently
resurrected-
That's a brief synopsis OF the first
chapters In the shameful human
serial that has dragged on thru 20
years
Tho next chapter. and maybe the
final enc. Is about 20 D. written In
congress In action on the. court OF
>~isims bill which seeks 10 make res
titutiou TO the Indians.
Sponsoring this bill are certain
California representatives and the
board of Indian cooperation. seeking
b@lated Justice for the remnants OF
this once populous race
And so--because they are a patient
and trustfui people--hope springs
once more for IS 900 Indians In Cali
fornia. From the TehachapIs 20 the
siskiyous. in tepee and shack.
tongues arc eagerly ciacking over the
hitter acorn pottage as the tale IL
told again Of the promised land and
possible restoration 10 ancient self
respect and station.
The Is. 600 were 200 900 when mark
ana seal soiemnized the treaties
THEIR LIVES HAVE BEEN
4 BATTLE AND MARCH
Their lives have been a battle and
q march. Deprived OF land. having
no legal status until recently, this
once proud and still Industrious race
has been reduced by constant evic-
tons and impositions 10 The pitiful
state OF wanderers and iii.paid hire
IinS-. while their former gardens
oap~ with holes from which the gold
seekers took their millions. or wave
To wheat rooted in deception.
And while these people have been
-~rafting three score and-ten for the
victory OF peace. warrior tribes In
other states with red hands and
crina Of derisiou for the pacifism OF
their cousins, have been living on
the fat Of the land.
They have seen their chiidrcn's
children denied school privileges,
have borne race discrimination In 81.
lence. have watched a callous and
prosperous state grow up around and
over them: have known ignominy.
hunger and shame.
BIT THEY HAVE KEPT THE
PEACE" according to their solemn
word.
PLIGHT LIKE THAT OF
SMALL EUROPEAN NATIONS
The story OF the California In
dian Is not unlike that OF small
European nations whose plight has
elected the sympathy Of the world.
An they ask Is that they be treat
Cd as every other 8nonreservation In
dian in the United states has been
treated.
"For ourselves" say the wrinkied
Old partriarchs. Eve have waited
long. II is for the children that we
sfif hope. The country expects
much of our children. Let them now
aav what they owe them"
COLD,