844 



THE GHOST-DANCE RELIGION 



[ETH. ANN. 14 



tify such a suspicion, and that he did not believe such an imprudent 

 step was seriously contemplated by any of the tribe, and concludes by 

 saying that be has every confidence in the good intentions of the Sioux 

 as a people, that they would not be the aggressors in any hostile act, and 

 that if justice were only done them no uneasiness need lie entertained. 

 lie complains, however, of the evil influence exercised by Sitting Bull 

 and a few other malcontents attached to his agency and advises their 

 removal from among the Indians. Wright, at Rosebud, also advised 

 the removal of Crow Dog and sonic other mischief-makers. These 

 men had led the opposition to the late treaty and to every advance 



Fi«.. 1- — A Siuux warrior — Weasel lii 



of civilization, by which they felt their former influence undermined, 

 and between them and the progressive party there was uncompromis- 

 ing hostility. [G. />.. .'/.) Although the trouble did come six months 

 later, it is sufficiently evident that, at this lime there was no outbreak 

 intended. Certain it is that the Sioux as a tribe — 25,000 strong — did 

 not engage in the outbreak, and in view of all the circumstances it 

 will hardly be claimed that they were deliberate aggressors. 



The li rst mutteriugs of dissatisfaction came from Pine Ridge, 'flu's 

 is the largest of the Sioux agencies, having (J, (KM) of the wildest and 

 most warlike of the tribe, largely under the influence of the celebrated 



