re to-day to shake hands with the chief of the Crow Nation, and
all the chiefs of the tribes assembled from the various quarters of our
country. I stand here on this great plain, with the broad sunlight
pouring down upon it. I want you to look me in the face, and I hope the
Great Heavenly Father, who will look down upon us, will give all the
tribes His blessing, that we may go forth in peace, and live in peace all
our days, and that He will look down upon our children and finally lift us
far above this earth; and that our Heavenly Father will look upon our
children as His children, that all the tribes may be His children, and as
we shake hands to-day upon this broad plain, we may forever live in peace.
We have assembled here to-day as chiefs from all over the land; we eat the
bread and meat together, we smoke the pipe of peace, and we shake the hand
of peace. And now we go out as one chief, and I hope we shall be as
brothers and friends for all our lives, and separate with kind hearts. I
am glad to-day as I shake hands with my brothers and friends, although I
shall never see them again. When the white man first came across the
ocean, the Indian took him by the hand and gave him welcome. This day
makes me think of that time, and now I say farewell."

Mountain Chief, head chief of the Blackfoot Indians, perhaps the most
vigorous talker in the sign language in the council, greeted Chief Plenty
Coups with these words:

"I have come clear across the plains and from behind the distant mountains
to meet these chiefs assembled in council, and I am very glad that I am
here to see these Indian chiefs from all the various tribes, and my heart
is open to you all as to my own brother. We smoke the pipe of peace and
take the hand of all the different chiefs, and I shall be glad forever,
and shall look upon this as one of the greatest days of my life. We
separate from each other in peace, and with a kind heart, but never to
meet again."

Bear Ghost, Chief of the Yankton Sioux, with great calmness and
deliberation said:

"I am glad that I am here to shake the hand in peace with all the chiefs
of the various tribes assembled. It is a great day for me, and a great
day for us all. I rejoice that a record is to be made of this council
that it may live for future generations. I am glad that I can smoke the
pipe of peace, and that with a sad but satisfied heart I can say farewell
to all the chiefs."

The commanding figure of