Year: 1871

York--speeehes of "Little Raveno and


"Buaalo GOad."


A very large meeting was held in New York,
at the Cooper Institute, last night, Mr.. Cooper
presiding, at which the Indian delegation was
present.


Little Raven, chief of the Arapahoes, spoke
through the interpreter as folows:-


LITTLE RAVENS SPEECH.


L have come from long distance to see my
friends. Years ago, when l was at home, they
told me had home here and father and mo-
ther. have come now to find them. When at
homo in my camp, q letter came from the
Father at Washington, asking me to come and
see him away in the States. had been waiting
Tor 1t for long time, and when it came
did not hesitate a moment but came at once.
l felt that the Father at Washington
would right the wrongs of myself and my
people. In this letter they told me had many
Indians, and who would be glad to see them
talked with the chiefs of the other tribes, and
we came here to see you tonight. Before leav-
ing told my young people to remain with the
agency till came home, when hoped to bring
them good news. told them would be gone
forty or fifty nights; they will expect me when
that time is passed. They think will look like
white man when l come back, because have
been to see the white man in the big house. 1
am glad to see 80 many of my friends here
tonight-so many gentlemen, chiefs, and ladies.
L think the Great Spirit has something to do
with bringing you all here tonight. Long ago
the Arapahoes had fine country of their own.
The white man came to see them, and the
Indians gave him buffalo meat and a horse to
ride on, and told him the country was big
enough for the white man and the Arapahoes
too. After while the white men found gold in
our country. They took the gold and pushed
the Indian from his home. l thought Washing
ton would make it all right am an old man
now: l have been waiting many years for
washington to give us our rights. The Govern
ment sent agents and soldiers out there to us and
both have driven from landa We do at
want to fight. The white man has taken away
everything. want to tell you of this because
believe II you know it you will correct the Ill.
think the Great Spirit is looking at all That is
said here, and fo5 that reason I am salking
like white people and and have | the the
same chance. l hope the Great Spirit will put
coed heart into the white people that they
man who invited us to come here tonight, my
heart opened to him. i have thanked the Great
Spirit many times that have been permitted to
be here. want to tell you all that ia in my
heart, and II do not 1t will be because forget
1t, and not because hide it. We want to travel
In the same road ae the white man. We want
to have his rifle, his powder, aud his ball TO
hunt with. Ny people are wsitine on the Hills
TO greet me when rstnrns end want to give
them good report.


Buffalo Goad, of the wachites, was next In
troduced and spoke as follovs:--


SPEECH OF BUFFALO GoAD.


am glad to meet nay friends. here tonight
and l want to have good strong talk with yeu.
think there must be great many big chiefs
here tonight by the locks of this audience.
kaye heard that there ste great many white
people In the East who knew nothing of the
wrongs which have beeh done to our people,
and would like to hear Of them and am here
o-night to tell little of them. will tell you
straight story and ne lee. We want houses
pullt Tor our peoplS TO live In, and school-houses
for our children, the same as white children
have: L have heard that this house belongs to
an old gentleman who loves everybody, and
pltles all poor people in the country. cloud
applause.) l think we should all be brothers.
want You to- help all the Indians. Ssme are
little further Sleng than we are, and we want to
push ahead and get as far as they are. The
whlte peopis have done geod deal of wrong to
you are Gcing e Go anything for us, we want
you TO 40 lt quick. saw the Commissioner of
Indian Aftsirs In Washington, and he told me
he knew Gll about 1t, and was going to fix it
believe it is lie. But you look
IKE good people, and l don't think you will
fool as as he has been fooling us. The Com
miss i0ner told rs he wanted we should come
and See the white people; that they would do
us 40 wrong; and we have had very good
tiIle, and thirk that time the Commissioner
talked straight. Some white men come among
tAe Indians, and seem TO like to live there, just
ss we have ceme here; and would like to stay
acre, too. Since have been here have met
several gentlemen that l knew in my country,
and ana very glad to meet them here, and
to meet all the new friends that have made
here; aBs no white man has said anything
kad to me since have been here, and for that
feelYery good. l have often heard in my own
home that we had a great many white friends
in the East, and since have been looking over
this audience think it is true. / want you to
step the white men from killing the Indians
after this. The Indian loves to live as well as
the white man. They are there, and they can't
help being there. That is all have got to say
% you tonight. have tried to make q straight
talk and to tell no lies and am much obliged
tc you for listening to me,