Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1941-10-03

ca and SO build a nation. 1t was to
possess a republican form of govern
ment. The Catholic religion was to be
recognized in the constitution as the
faith of the people, but there was to
be a Reputation of the authority OF
Rome. Riel was to head this unique
experiment, but it is only just to add
my conviction that personal ambition
was not the controlling motive of
Louis Riel, and that there was no
faint Of self-seeking in his efforts for
freedom, justice and humanity
Louis Riel's father was full
blooded Scandinavian, and his mother
partly Irish and partly Indian. He was
born at St. Boniface, five miles from
winnipeg. Destined for the priesthood
from his birth, after his schooling at
his birthplace he was sent to the Jesuit
college at Montreal. There he was
noted for his diligence and proficiency
in his studies. He was master of Latin,
French and English, and later learned
four Indian languages. He left college,
however, without taking orders IN
priesthood.
Half Breeds Discontinued
In 1869 when the Hudson's Bay COM
pany surrendered Manitoba and the
northwest territory to the dominion
government, the half-breedS were loud
in their expressions OF discomfort.
They alleged that they had no as
surance that they would be protected
in possession of their farms, and there
in, at least, their cause was founded
in justice. Soon they assumed an at
titude of open revolt and organized
a republic with a provisional govern
ment, at the head OF which was R!el.
Riel demanded for his constituents
fair representation in the dominion
parliament, a provincial legislature,
local self-government, the official use
OF both the French and English Ian
guages, land grants for the parochial
schools and public improvements,
free homestead law and the issuance
of patents to settlers for their re-
spective holdings. While Riel is COM
monty claSsed as visionary ana
sometimes as a mailman, 1t is difficult
to find anything in these demands
that is extremely unreasonable or I'M
practicable.
Riel led the revolt with dauntleSS
vigor and untiring energy. Selling Fort
Garry, he speedily established the au-
thority Of the insurrectionary govern
ment throughout the province. A
Canadian, Thomas Scott. who defied
Riels authority, was sentenced TO
death and executed.
Archbishop Tache who enjoyed the
confidence and affection Of the in
surgents, visited Fort Garry, and by
| liberal promises of clemency created
a more conciliatory sentiment. In the
meanwhile the dominion government
had sent Col. Garnet Wolsey. later
! field marshal and commander in chief
| of the British army, to suppress Rel
and his followers, but the soldiers did
not reach Manitoba until August, 1870.
Escapes to Montana
, In the meantime the dominion gov
eminent had passed the Manitoba act,
which admitted that province into the
confederation of provinces with local
self-government, representation in par
lament and made provision to recog-
nize the rights of the half-breedS TO
their lands. Nearly all of the demands
of the rebels were conceded, and when
| the WolSey expedition reached the
province, the provincial government
had melted away and Riel had lied
| to Montana.
In 1874, at the general election, Riel,
although a fugitive in Montana, was
elected to parliament for the district
of Provencher in Manitoba, and not
withstanding that there was an indlct.
ment against him for the murder OF
Scott, he went secretly to Ottawa.
where by means that have never been
explained he took oath and signed the
| roll, but thereupon returned to Mon
tana.
Parliament met and expelled him. a
new election being ordered. Riel was
SO strong with his people that he was
reelected, but was again expelled
This time, however, an order was made
that he should be granted a pardon
after five years of exile should have
expired.
In 1879 he settled again in Montana,
where he taught school at the Catholic
mission on Sun river, at times joining
half-breeds to hunt buffalo. During
these years he lived in extreme
poverty.
The uprising in Saskatchewan was
similar in its causes to that in Mani
toba in 1869. The dominion had grant
ed to every han-breed in Manitoba
40 acres Of land, but no such con-
cession had been made to those in