The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1924-07-05
INDIANS GIVEN
MESSAGEFR0M
PRES. COOLIDGE
Testimonial of "Great White
Father" Praises Their
Service During the War
GLOVER PRESENTS THEM
Third Assistant Postmaster.
General Here as Direct
Representative

A message carried from the "Great
White Father" at Washington by W..
Irving Glover, third assistant post
master-general, to the Indian tribes
OF North Dakota, thanking them for
the service of their sons and daugh-
ters during the World War was pre-
sented in colorful ceremony in
the Northern Pacific Park at Man
dan the morning of the Fourth of
July.
Speaking through an Interpreter,
General Glover told the Indian
chieftains and representatives of
four tribes-the Mandans, Gros Ven-
tres. Sioux and Arikara--that Pres
ident Coolidge told him to extend
the warm hand of fellowship of the
President of the United States to
the tribes, the first Indian tribes to
receive such testimonial.
The bearer of testimonials also
told the Indians and the crowd as
sembled that General Pershing had
declared the American Indian the
bravest of all American soldiers in
France. He was referring in parti-
cular to the exploits of the Indians
in scouting and in other action call
ing forth all the skill and bravery
of soldier during the war. Cen
eral Foch. too, praised the Indian as
the bravest of the brave, Mr.. Glover
told them.
Accept Testimonials
Sitting Crow, stolid, bronze chief
tain Of the Mandans, attired in full
regalia, accepted the testimonial for
that tribe; White Bear (Tom Frost
ed) represented the Sioux, Foolish
Bear the Gros Ventres and Charles
Alone (Thomas Rogers) the Arikara.
There interpreters carried the re-
marks of General Glover, informal
and directed to the chieftains and a
few assembled, to the Indians while
in the United States Army, needed
Thomas Rogers, himself a sergeant
no interpreter.
General Glover told the Indians
that seven of their blood had start
ed in as privates and risen to the
rank of officer during the war,
more than a hundred Of them had
made the land Of France more hal
lowed by their sacrifice, and that
nurses.
The Indians receiving the testi-
monials were grouped in front Of the
platform in a semi-circle, sitting
down, while Major j. H. Hanley,
chairman of the day; Major A. B.
Welch, General Glover and others
occupied the platform. After the
Indians had responded and all had
struck note of loyalty, General
Glover spoke to the ground in gen
eral in closing.
1T is that spirit of loyalty that
has made this nation great" he said.
1T is that spirit of loyalty that has
carried up l48 years to today, the
strongest nation on the face of the
globe. Though these Indians may be
dark in color the same red blood
that has made America courses
through their veins, the same pas
sion for justice and liberty beats in
their hearts,"
Among those at the ceremonies, he
said, were l3 who served as Scouts
under General Custer in 1875 and
earlier days.
.. Conveys Regard
Speaking directly to the chieftains,
Mr.. Glover told of President Cool
idge placing the testimonials, one
for each tribe, handsomely engraved,
in his hands, and telling
him to convey to the Indians not
only his appreciation as the chief
for the service of their
tribesmen during the World War,
but also to convey the desire Of
the government to see the Indians
protected by the mighty arm Of the
and aided to become
stronger and better citizens.
In turn, the representatives of
each tribe replied, and pledged 10y
atty, as Thomas Rogers expressed
it, "to the flag that has never yet
touched the ground" Each ex-
pressed the willingness of the In
dians to fight for their country
during the World War and to give
it service in peace. Sitting Crow,
in particular, dwelt on his always
ready desire to make peace with all
peoples.
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