按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
the nature of graft until he was in a position to view it from the
outside。 After all； he was excusable in seeking to maintain the
dignity of his office； but he had departed from one of the
fundamental rules of the race； namely： 〃Let no material gain be the
motive or reward of public duty。〃 He had wounded the ideals of his
people beyond forgiveness； and he suffered the penalty； yet his
courage was not diminished by the mistakes of his past。 Like the
Sioux chief Little Crow； he was called 〃the betrayer of his
people〃； and like him he made a desperate effort to regain lost
prestige； and turned savagely against the original betrayers of his
confidence； the agents and Indian traders。
When the Sioux finally broke out in 1862； the first thought of
the local politicians was to humiliate Hole…in…the…Day by arresting
him and proclaiming some other 〃head chief〃 in his stead。 In so
doing they almost forced the Ojibways to fight under his
leadership。 The chief had no thought of alliance with the Sioux；
and was wholly unaware of the proposed action of the military on
pretense of such a conspiracy on his part。 He was on his way to
the agency in his own carriage when a runner warned him of his
danger。 He thereupon jumped down and instructed the driver to
proceed。 His coachman was arrested by a file of soldiers； who when
they discovered their mistake went to his residence in search of
him； but meanwhile he had sent runners in every direction to notify
his warriors； and had moved his family across the Mississippi。
When the military reached the river bank he was still in sight； and
the lieutenant called upon him to surrender。 When he refused； the
soldiers were ordered to fire upon him； but he replied with his own
rifle； and with a whoop disappeared among the pine groves。
It was remarkable how the whole tribe now rallied to the call
of Hole…in…the…Day。 He allowed no depredations to the young men
under his leadership； but camped openly near the agency and awaited
an explanation。 Presently Judge Cooper of St。 Paul； a personal
friend of the chief； appeared； and later on the Assistant Secretary
of the Interior； accompanied by Mr。 Nicolay； private secretary of
President Lincoln。 Apparently that great humanitarian President
saw the whole injustice of the proceeding against a loyal nation；
and the difficulty was at an end。
Through the treaties of 1864； 1867； and 1868 was accomplished
the final destiny of the Mississippi River Ojibways。
Hole…in…the…Day was against their removal to what is now White
Earth reservation； but he was defeated in this and realized that
the new turn of events meant the downfall of his race。 He declared
that he would never go on the new reservation； and he kept his
word。 He remained on one of his land grants near Crow Wing。 As
the other chiefs assumed more power； the old feeling of suspicion
and hatred became stronger； especially among the Pillager and Red
Lake bands。 One day he was waylaid and shot by a party of these
disaffected Indians。 He uttered a whoop and fell dead from his
buggy。
Thus died one of the most brilliant chiefs of the Northwest；
who never defended his birthright by force of arms； although almost
compelled to do so。 He succeeded in diplomacy so long as he was
the recognized head of his people。 Since we have not passed over
his weaknesses； he should be given credit for much insight in
causing the article prohibiting the introduction of liquor into the
Indian country to be inserted into the treaty of 1858。 I think it
was in 1910 that this forgotten provision was discovered and again
enforced over a large expanse of territory occupied by whites； it
being found that the provision had never been repealed。
Although he left many children； none seem to have made their
mark； yet it may be that in one of his descendants that undaunted
spirit will rise again。
End