The Spartans of the West 47 



How is it that Canada has never had an Indian war or an 

 Indian massacre? Because the Government honorably 

 kept all its treaties, and the Indians themselves were 

 honorable, by tradition; they never yet broke a treaty. In 

 northwestern Canada, there were two sHght outbreaks of 

 half-breeds (187 1 and 1885), but these were misunder- 

 standings, easily settled. There was little fighting, no 

 massacres, and no heritage of hate in their track. 



What wonder that all who could, among the Indian tribes, 

 moved over the ''Medicine Line," and dwell in Canada 

 to-day ! 



TEMPERANCE AND SOBRIETY 



When the white traders struck into the West with their 

 shameful cargoes of alcohol to tempt the simple savages, it 

 was the beginning of the Great Degradation for which we 

 must answer. 



The leading Indians soon saw what the drink habit 

 meant, and strove in vain to stem the rising current of 

 madness that surely would sweep them to ruin. 



About 179s, Tshut-che-nau, chief of the Kansas, did his 

 best to save the youth of his people from the growing vice 

 of the day. 



"'Drink not the poisonous strong-water of the white 

 people;' he said, 'it is sent by the Bad Spirit to destroy the 

 Indians.' He preached, but preached in vain." (J. D. 

 Hunter, p. 21.) 



Pere Lafitau says, in 1724: 



"They never permit themselves to indulge in passion, 

 but always, from a sense of honor and greatness of soul, 

 appear masters of themselves." (P. 378, "Century of Dis- 

 honor.") 



