Plight of the Natives

Leo Putnam
Hist 1700-404-Sp15

When I first enrolled in this class I had a lot of ideas of what I thought I would learn about. I
was very excited to learn more about the early history of the US. I had a lot of Ideas about events
that happened. I wanted to learn more about the people who immigrated to the US. I wanted to
learn more about the American Revolution and the civil war. I wanted to understand more about
the events that led up to these country changing events. I was even really excited to learn about
and understand the expansion and growth of the United States. As I thought about the things I
wanted to learn about, I did not think about how these events affected those who already lived
here on this continent. It is amazing to me to see how a group of people came together, fought for
their independence, fought for the right to be free and do as the wished, and yet treated other
people (Indian) similar to and often times worse than they were treated by England. Their new
found rights and freedoms didnt apply to All Men. Young Chief Joseph was a great leader,
who wanted these same freedoms for his own people. He fought for these rights and freedoms
only to come to terms with the fact that the White man, did not wish to grant them these
freedoms. Empty promises and treaties designed to get what they wanted and not caring about
the welfare of the Indians filled Young Chief Josephs life, leading him to fight a losing battle for
freedom.
Young Chief Josephs tone in the majority of his speeches is one of sadness and despair. He
had met many white men. Some were kind and honest. Others were mean and said whatever was
needed to get Chief Josephs tribe and other Indians to do what they wanted. In a speech given
while visiting Washington D.C. in 1879, Young Chief Joseph outlined his frustrations with the

government and their empty words and promises. In reference to the President, Congress and
other government leaders Chief Joseph stated: They all say they are my friends, and that I shall
have justice, but while all their mouths talk right I do not understand why nothing is done for my
people. I have heard talk and talk but nothing is done.(Chief Joseph Speaks) Chief Joseph was
truly frustrated and saddened by the treatment and empty promises from the US Government.
During Chief Josephs same speech in Washington, he lined out a series of rights that he
desired for him and his people. Chief Joseph only wanted to be treated like a human being. He
wanted his people and tribe to simply have the same rights and liberties as those who were US
Citizens. In Chief Josephs own words he stated: Let me be a free man, free to travel, free to
stop, free to work, free to trade where I choose, free to choose my own teachers, free to follow
the religion of my fathers, free to talk, think and act for myself -- and I will obey every law or
submit to the penalty. (Chief Joseph Speaks) These are all simple rights that were lined out in
the Constitution. For instance, the desire to be free to follow the religion of his fathers. This is
lined out in the First Amendment to the Constitution which lined out the Freedom of Religion.
Put simply, Chief Joseph wanted him and his people and all people to be treated equal!
Chief Josephs desire to be treated as equals with other Americans not only would have
made life and things better for him and his people, it also would have made life and relations
between the Indians and Americans better. By being treated equal, Chief Joseph believed that
there would be no more wars that all men would get along living in relative harmony together. So
much bloodshed and wars could have been avoided if the Indians would have been treated as
human beings. All men could have learned from one another and become as brothers, growing
and progressing as equals. Maybe there would have not been any reservations and segregation of
the Indians and Americans as there is today.

As a leader of his people, Chief Joseph wanted the same rights, liberties, and freedoms as
Americans. He wanted to have peace and harmony. He felt that if the American leaders would
have kept their promises and word that there would not have been the bloodshed and wars
between them and the Americans. Chief Josephs desires were the same as all mens. To live
together as one and prosper in this wonderful land. Even today we are constantly fighting for our
rights and freedoms. How different this country would be if Chief Josephs dreams and desires of
equality and peace would have come true.

Works Cited
1.

http://www.pbs.org/weta/thewest/resources/archives/six/jospeak.htm