Wisdom worth sharing, words worth remembering.
We had good white friends who advised us against taking the war path. My friend and brother Mr. Chapman told us just how the war would end.
I saw clearly that war was upon us when I learned that my young men had been secretly buying ammunition.
I saw that the war could not be prevented. The time had passed.
I said in my heart that rather than have war I would give up my country.
War can be avoided and it ought to be avoided. I want no war.
It required a strong heart to stand up against such talk but I urged my people to be quiet and not to begin a war.
It does not require many words to speak the truth.
Let me be a free man – free to travel free to stop free to work.
Hear me my chiefs! I am tired. My heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands I will fight no more forever.
If the white man wants to live in peace with the Indian he can live in peace.
Treat all men alike. Give them the same law. Give them an even chance to live and grow.
General Howard informed me in a haughty spirit that he would give my people 30 days to go back home collect all their stock and move onto the reservation.
