IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) r, 1.0 I.I lam 12.5 :; lis 12.0 I IL25 i 1.4 1.6 ^ ^ f^.^ ^J> ^^ / ^'^ >^ o^ '■T Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WIST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 ^^ v iV \ \ V 4^ A ^ ^ .-.. <\^ '<<^1^ A ^ ^ CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHIVI/iCIVIH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microraproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques details UMdU t modifier g«r un« I filmage Acs The copy filmed liere lies been reproduced thanics to the generosity of: Nationai Library of Canada The images appearing here are the best quaiity possibie considering the condition and iegibiiity of the originai copy and in Iceeping with the fiiming contract specifications. Originai copies in printed paper covers are filmed beginning with the front cover and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, or the bacic cover when appropriate. 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Les diagranmes suivants illustrent la mAthode. y errata Id to nt ie pelure, 9on A ■■■■■i^J 1 2 3 32X 1 2 3 4 5 6 THE TRUE INWARDNESS >F THE- CANADIAN K r i I i i- NORTHWEST REBELLION OK 18S5 EXPOSED; Or, WHO IS TO BLAME? I } . .v_... !;il '•■Ji iiil 1(1 w ■I- t ; # IN order to fix an 3^ given has ever been tbepri vile lect the ui08t prominent ] and present them as spc Having secured his central full play to his couceptiouf or ligures as best suits his prostitutijd in a very rema after the iitcijiient rebellioi nadiau Northwest in 1885 ish of trumpets was made M'ere 'lionized in a greate; that'thc mists are cleared a faithful interpretation o uected with it, it is relevai lie gaze in their true light past be pa«sed, and let t but experience has taught life by an appeal to histoi this beacon is lifted to wa concern . The d uty is u n i less a duty. As a niatter of fact, w^ Louis Kiel, Gabriel Dum< soldier, Major General Sii ciated with that affair, i been deeply buried in th< are the j)ersonalities on t I' .1 ,i i!" It' t . f\ I "I* r ^k i«- IN order to fix any given event oathe public mind it has ever been tbe privilege of the Btory-teller to se- lect the most prominent personis connected with it, and present them as sponsors to his statements. Having secured his central figures, he proceeds to give full play to his conceptions, and constructs his facts or figures as best suits his purpose. This license was prostitut<;d in a very remarkable manner during and after the incipient rebellion which occurred in the Ca- nadian Northwest in 1885, about which such a fiour- ish of trumpets was made and by which so many men were 'lionized in a greater or less degree. But now that'tlio mists are cleared away, and time has given a faithful interpretation of the motives of those con- uected with it, it is relevant to hold them up to pub- lic gaze in their true light. It may be said "let the pa£t be passed, and let the dead bury their dead," but experience has taught us to avoid the ])itfallB of life by an appeal to history. It is in that hope that this beacon is lifted to warn all those whom it may concern. The duty is unpleasant, but it is none the lesftaduty. As a niatter of fact, were it not that the names of Louis Kiel, Gabriel Dumont, and that phenomenal soldier, Major General Sir Fred Mid dleton, were asso- ciated with that affair, it would long ere this have been deeply buried in the forgotten past ; but these arc the {.>er6onalities on whom hang a tale. N I r M \ / '.1 ti' i!:! { V L K- Whatever may be said of the two former, it \u safe to Hay that the latter gentleman, much to his own .satisfaction and to the lasting; humiliation of the Dominion, played the part of the inflated frog, that emblem of impotency, to the accompaniment of eight million dollars added to the debt of Canada. One of these persons, Lonis Riel, scholar, orator, and patriot, though he were, has passed away on the scaffold, having fallen a victim to his love of race. With a heroism worthy of his cause, be nobly ap- peased the insatiable demand for human sacrifice. He defied that inexorable will which in itit relentless grasp at political power, perpetrated at his death a judicial murder. He died like the enthusiast hei was, in the full belief that his death would gain the rights of his people. His resting place is in the French vil- lage of St. Boniface, Manitoba, together with that of his unhappy wife, who died of a broken heart} sho' tly after his eieSiition. Their graves are side by side, and are an evidence of the ingratitude of those for whom he gave his life. They are marked by u shape- less mound of yellow clay, made to look as if the blight of heaven rested upon them, a reminder by the way, as the worid has it, of the distinction between rebel and patriot. Both may be and often are, ^ood men and true, but one succeeds, the other fails; .one reaches the scaffold, the other may win o- crown.,, ;.! Gabriel Dumont still lives, a splendid type of his race, a brave, capable, self-reliant man, who in the course of long years of frontier life, acquired .vast wealth and great influence over his people. He is a born leader, a* man of indomitable will and great Yxs', \ _.— > 1 , » :■! f. t I m I. ' resource; for wlien all wau IobI through M'ant aud 8t>arvation stricken deer to the surrouiidii when everything they had was furs and they were looted and ( by Middleton, in direct defia or divine, and when lie found li home and country, he was sti hesitate to accept a life of exi States in the liopc of regaini In that connection he has from, but always in the interei His demands on the Doininir titution on his own aud on th be met sooner or later, and tl tributable to the hauglit ai General Sir Fred Middleton, forbade the troops under his themselves with even the tail took care to be far enough in cure for himself all the furs 1 This is notoriously true. Gabriel Dumont was the I bellion. It waa under his le that, with a reputed force of armed principally with flint Iti pattern,he successfully withst* the redoubtable Middleton, Canadian volunteers, young, who but for his bungling won their dusky assailants, i)OS8il But a bloodless victory, will resource; for wlien all wau lost to his cause and when through M'ant and st>arvation his Bupporters fled like stricken deer to the surrounding fastnesBeu of nature, when everything they had was destroyed, except their furs and they were looted and carried away to Ottawa by Middleton, in direct defiance of all law, human or divine, and when he found himself an outcast from home and country, he wau still himself and did not hesitate to accept a life of excitement in the United States in the liope of regaining his foi'iner fortune. In that connection he has frequently been hoard from, but always in the interests of his compatriots. His demands on the Dominion government for res- titution on his own and on their behalf will have to be met sooner or later, and that claim Ih clearly at- tributable to the hauglil' and criminal avarice of General Sir Fred Middleton, who, while he strictly forbade the troops under his command to decorate themselves with even the tail of a muvith an indecisioi] qaent acts, determined to rest weeks and revive them after tl military men, with such an their command, every man w ea^^er for the fray, would hav< urged to do, and prevented t trating themselves, and offer but he looked with supreme cor volunteers, his only advisers scorned their counsel. For five years previousl in a chronic state of unresi on rebellion, at other time The various difficulties inciden take-it-or-leave-it-ou-our-terni ment, the system of suppressi( ing out of the absolute powe over Manitoba, the making i for silencing the shoals of pel infested Ontario and Quebec feeding at the public crib for a become so clamorous in their ( either to be pensioned at the sent to Manitoba to assist in into submission ; the Cauadi nopoly, which with vulture the smallest necessary pitt farmer and his family could li' mainder of their earnings fo I- 1^' :^' After hie four hours' encounter at Fish Creek, un- der the plea of awaitiug reinforcenieuts from Ottawa, MiddletoD, with an indecision worthy of his subse- qaent acts, determined to rest his men for a couple of weeks and revive them after their severe losses. Most military men, with such an overwhelming force at their command, every man with his blood up and eager for the fray, would have pressed on, as he was urged to do, and prevented the rebels from concen- trating themselves, and offering further resistance; but he looked withsupremecontemptontheCan.'idian volunteers, his only advisers and supporters, and scorned their counsel. For five years previously Manitoba had been in a chronic state of unrest, sometimes verging on rebellion, at other times despairingly inert. The various difficulties incident to a new country, the take-it-or-leave-it-ou-our-terms policy of the govern- ment, the system of suppression and repression aris- ing out of the absolute power possessed at ( )tta.wa over Manitoba, the making it the dumping ground for silencing the shoals of political cormorants who infested Ontario and Quebec; men who had been feeding at the public crib for a lifetime and who had become so clamorous in their demands that they had either to be pensioned at the public expense or else sent to Manitoba to assist in garrotting the people into submission ; the Canadian Pacific railway mo- nopoly, which with vulture-like greed calculated the flmallest necessary pittance upon which the farmer and his family could live, and took all the re- mainder of their earnings fur carrying the crop to It) i- iiini'kM, tliOHo ami miniborloss otlior disahiiitios conspired to render the dovclopmciit of Mnnitob.*) an impossibility, and paralyzed the efforts of its )wst friendB. As a consequence tlio mass of tlio peoj)li' were dissatisfiod and stood as it were witli daj^j^ei-s drawn, 'J'o all appearance it was only a question of time when the people, thronpjli its Legislature, would declare themselves out of confederation and a.s8un>e the i)Osition of a crown colony of Cireat Britain. This was the condition of things when Middle- ton's appeal for help went forth. It met with a hearty response. It v.as a blessing in disguise. It was the occasion so ardently longed for. It gave the (iovernment an opportunity to kill two birds witli one stone, that of over-av»'ing the peo))leof ^^anitol)a by a demonstration of strength and of subduing the rebels by force. What did a few millions of «lollars and the life of a few half-breeds, more or less, weigh in the balance as compared to the continuance in power of Sir John Macdonald and his associates? What did it matter that the people of Afanitoba should bite the dust of poverty so long as the oli- garchy at Ottawa prevailed. No sooner said than done, five tliousand volunteers were ordercsd out from Ontario and the eastern provinces and sent to the northwest. Parasites in the way of contractors and camp followers were let loose like hounds from a leash to not only feed on but steal from the people in such proportion as their consciences permitte line of march tc» ] time was witliin range of thee slight reconnoisynnce lie dis had violated every principle Inst-end of occupying some ele from which to command the trenched in a valley, and ha( brow of a, hill covered with would have to pasB before t reversal of recognized tactics acumen. JIc had heard of th red men, and determined not this method surely ])orLend right had they to defend the heard-of manner. It was ran summarily punished. But th empty and he pushed down tl his force was in roar of pits ai Still no resistance, for on the lage was the steamer Northco sariat supplies, smd the rebels near ajtproach had deserted to attack her. This was his opportunit, position of his force would 1 cover Aud compelled them t on th({ open plateau surrou the dread of a surprise of som ITe forgot the teachings of all ities. Sir ( larnot Wolsdoy, wh « explanation poa.sil)lo,«n(l wlioii leinforccniontshml ar- rived to atlcjist four times the rebel strengtli, he again took np tlie line of march tc» Batocho, and in a sliort time was within range of the enemy 'r rifle i)its. After a slight reconnoisynnce lie discovered that the rebels had violated every principle of modern warfare; for Inst^nd of occupying some elevated vantage ground, from which to command the position, they were en- trenched in a valley, and had built rifle pits on the brow of ji. hill covered with woods, over which he would have to pasH before taking the vfllage. This reversal of recognized tactics aroused all his military acumen. Jle had heard of the cruel treachery of the red men, and determined not to be outwitted. But this method surely ])ortended somofjhing. What right had they to defend theniselves in such an un- heard-of manner. It was rank heresy, and niu.st bo summarily punished. But the rifle pits i)roved to be empty and he pushed down the trail till a portion of his force was in rear of pits and fronting 1;he village. Still no resistance, for on the river opposite the vil- lage was the steamer Northcotte laden with commis- sariat supplies, a.nd the rebels not hoiug aware of his near ajiproach had deserted the pits and rushed off to attack her. Thi.s was his opportunity. A well directed dis- position of his force would have cut off the rebel cover P.nd compelled them to meet him, if at all, on the open plateau surrounding the village. But the dread of a surprise of some kind made him falter. ITe foi'gofc l;lio teachings of all groat military author- ities. Sir ( larnet Wolsehv)', when speaking of opportu- I £ '1 10 nit.icH km^h: *'Tl)e (J,h be it said to their honor, that whilst the^-^ punished all resistance, with true gallantry they \ 12 iPMpticted the rights t>f their fellow citizens, aUhnuji^h ill rebellion. With the ferocity of blooilhounds, the troopH hunted and brought down as lawful game the contingent of Sioux who were attructefl from Min- nesota and Dakotaby the desire for blood and plunder. In this work of extermination, the volunteern were ably assisted by Captain Howard, who will ever be recognized as the Yankee C'aptaiu, or Catling Gun Howard. He with his two guns sent over from the United States, played a prominent part; he was a brave man and by his social genius won all hearts. He had fought the Sioux in Minnesota and Dakota and had witnessed their atrocities, and ever since had nursed his wrath against them to k«}ep it warm. He believed t!ie only good Indian was a dead one, and on this occasion he was everywhere with his gatlings, in the thickest of the fight. His praises were on all lips, and his services are enthusiastically remembered. t After the rebels were scattered in hopeless confu- sion, another short halt wjis called, and an attempt made to capture the leaders, but Dumont had fled, and after three days Riel practically surrendered himself as a prisoner of war. It is true he was brought into camp by two scouts, but he was alone and on his way there when arrested. The fall of Batoche, by means unknown to civili- zation, was heralded in some mystic way to all the bands of malcontents scattered over a territory of enormous extent, and whereas, up to that time, the rebels had, by capturing a number of whites, among whom were several young ladies of prom iuen L families, »« '» f- wmmmmmsmmmm 13 hy bnnMssliij^ tin; tniops slat |)oiiitH, and l»y moiuuMii;;- lliciii Kpirit; of nlann ov(;r^v\vlio)e in r«»nan:nuty tamed by tlio forgivin^- enou'^h to give trafl dyin;^ words, when poverty an contributed to their exlJnetioii count that outbreak amongst 1 fathers. Xot so, liowover, with the accepted tre;ity, and were en tit citizenship. Their coin])laints v years f hey had patiently awai of certain agreements with t instead of taking a parental int ing them in their far off lon(!lin ing spf.'fulators to menace the 13 l».y banMSHJuj^ tin; tidops Klatioiiod at nil avniliiblo j»oiiitH, jiiul \ty moiMicin;;- tliciii at otlicM's, cnuitcd a spirit; of nlarui ovorynlmie in the Norllnvi'Hl, whi«;li r*»<|uii*o(l vij^ilant care to Kui)prt'HH, iit)W thoir whole Holicitudn uas in os'iapinj^ pnnishnuMit, by roturuinpf I»nHonoi'H, aiid by <;;(ncially porforniing; acts of con- ciliation whilBt still in lli^lit. S«!\'oial of tlio U'adiiiR- chirfs and otlierH wero taken prlKonci-R and condoinncd to the ponct(;nt,iary for life, but public clenioncy wixh in l^lieir favor, and after boiuj;- incarceratod for a short time, during;: whii.'li the Indian chiefs were treated like concjnored j)rini'es, they were released and sent to tlu.'ir respec- tive tribes in peace. There is no doubt that priHon life broke tln'ir wild F|)irit, and ultimately killed them; they were overawed by ihe ma«>nan:nuty of the wjiitt; man and taini^d by the forgivinjj;' spirit exhibited towards them. If their descendants exist in future ji;enera- tions lon>^- onou«^h to give traditional cITeet to their dyin;^ words, when i)overty and disease shall have contributed to their extinction, they will, doubtless, count that outbreak amongst the follies of their fore- fathers. Xot so, liowover, with the half breeds who had ti(!cej>lcd tre.'ity, and were entitled to all the rights of citizenship. Their coin])laint,s wore well founded, l'V)r years I hey had i)atiently awaited the ctuifirujation of certain agreements with the government, who, instead of taking a parental interest in, and protect- ing them in thoir far off lomjliness, permitted schem- ing ai)f;eulators to menace them with threats of ex- \ 14 l»ul.si(>n from Lhoir Ihhiics; aiul.altlioiij^li it is Iniotho HovoiniDcMit liud no intoiitioii of broakiii;^ fnitli wifcli it 8 AV}Mnt that had the government met the half breeds oarliei', in the spirit of concili- ation and kindness, the country would have been spared the enormousexpense of the rebellion. Thohalf breeds would have remained loyal and contented, and many valuable lives would liave been spared to the the country. Therefore, takinjj;- the rebellion all in all, it was clearly char<>(»a bio to tluun difference of the gov- crnment to the vi;i;htfuldemandsofal:;i.lfciviliz(;d,and over-con lidin«;' j)oople. It was criminal forthc p;overn- ment to be so badly informed, in the face of the vol- umes of information at its disposal,of the real charac- ter of the outbreak and of the {)roper moans for its suppression; they were blameablo in bainp^ moved so easily at the ipso-dixit of (jleneral Middleton, who althou^^h a bold and fearless man so far as his defiance of bullets wasconcerned, yet by his administrative acts 15 from the first, earnotj, ami onl; tempt of his wliolo force. The «^overnmpnt ou}2;bt to half l>rceds had wo resources \y\\ a successful fight, and they niij the city of Winuipej:? and aurrol out in(jn enoufth aided by tlie ml Northwest Territory, a splendl well armtid, to have ended tlu days, hut this was not in the prt The retm-n (»f the tnxjps as| whilst it re-opened the wounds heart,, brouj^ht great rejoicing, troops with every demonstratiod account of reunion, than for the » seemed strange, however, that tl were silent about their achievmei! cam]) life were referred to with int ties never. The British government with mity to the colonies, conferred t hood on (Jenei-al ^Middletonforhij was given, as such titles frequ( recognition of the circunjstannes there iiad to be personality to re] he w .IS the one chosen. The Ca voted twenty thousand dollars t( his other honors and, upon the v well r<:comi>ensed for his wonderfi presumed that a countr3''s grai itself somewher«i, and why not p !Z't!!I,"''"'',";™''"'"°"'^ »''■'' -'■". "» eon- tempt of Ins wliolo forc<3. naiSr>:rr' ""-'" *<• "-•••■ '<-«■« that *..« a 8u IrV " '■'"'""'"'" "'"' "'"^'' '" •"•-'-■"■to outrl "'""" ""' '""•™""<'i"A- eu„„try sent No :::t" .:■•"-'" ''^' *"" """"'"" •-"-"' ^- "•^js i,ut «.,« ,v.8 not in the programme. .0 rotun, of u,„ trooj. a. „„-,.„t bo cxpoct,.,,, 2^1 ' "-'"f "•" «■« «o„„<,« of many . ,,,.„!,„ > to tbc co.o,„o., eo,,torred the ra„k of l<„i.,,t, thoro hir oT "'■"="■"''»--. "'- ■" tho ma,, •-^«,.tudul.yi.otpayar(,tuia compJi. ItaM rtli 16 nictit to Groat Bntaiu for the liouovH confer'. od on Canada. . , , a The Novthwost .rl.elUon was not without gooa results on the country generally. Up tothattlnK,,a8 ah-eady stated, the ^ovcmnnent had in various ways been crushh^s the hfe out of the people, in order to invest itself with Bupren.e authority, and under the o-uise of dvronf.-; they overlooked the fact tiiat the coun- try was beinp: settled by the cream of the other prov- inces, by men who had been educate.! up to their riohts as citizens, atid who insisted on establishing tlH'U. in tr..e BrVUvh form, hence, tlie ngitat.ou al- ready referred to. The government in defence of its po..ition resorted to all means within its control to suppress free discussion and punished by political ostracism and otherwise all who participated m it. The ovperiennegain.dintherebellion taught them the donger of tan.pering with the rights of aa intelligent people, and since then, they have, without appearing to yield, taken m<.ins to remove the disabilitu..8 under which the people of ]\Ianitoba were suUermg. Wit hout egotism it is safe to say, that whatevcu- of true liberty has been gained to Manitoba, and whatever the degree of prosperity awaiting its peo- nleisfairly attributable to thedevotionandloyaly of tlu>se, who at the risk of their liberties an.l reputa -on stood up vurmntl, like iho fathers of yore, in t .e.r contention for right. ¥\