, to which
they were exceedingly attached. They were a peaceful people.
It was their boast that no Ponca had ever injured a white
man. Mr. Schurz had been informed that the Poncas were willing
to go. But when they heard of the scheme, they strenuously
objected. They sold their ponies to enable an agent to go
to Washington to make their protest known. But Mr. Schurz
was immovable. The Nebraska Senators waited upon him, but
their expostulations were received with disdain, as the counsel
of politicians who were not entitled to much respect. The
removal was effected. The Indian Territory proved unhealthy
for them. A part of the tribe made their escape, took the
coffins of those who had died with them, and made their way
back to the original home of their ancestors.

The public feeling was deeply aroused. I happened to be at
home in Worcester when a meeting was called by clergymen and
other philanthropic gentlemen. It was addressed by a young
Indian woman, named Bright Eyes, who belonged, I think, to
a tribe closely allied to the Poncas. I attended the meeting,
but was careful not to commit myself to any distinct opinion
without knowing more of the facts. When I got back to Washington,
President Hayes called on my at my room. It was the only
time I have ever known a President of the United States to
call upon a member of either House of Congress on public business,
although I believe President Lincoln sometimes did it; and
it may possibly have happened on other occasions. President
Hayes was very much excited. He seemed at the time to think
that a great wrong had been done by the Secretary. He brought
his fist down upon the table with great emphasis, and said:
"Mr. Hoar, I will turn Mr. Schurz out, if you say so." I said:
"O no, Mr. President, I hope nothing of that kind will be
done. Mr. Schurz is an able man. He has done his best. His
mistake, if he has made one, is only that he has adhered obstinately
to a preconceived opinion, and has been unwilling to take
advice or receive suggestions after he had determined on his
course. It would be a great calamity to have one of your
Cabinet discredited by you." President Hayes took that view
of it. Indeed, I believe on further and fuller inquiry, he
came to the conclusion that it was his duty to sustain the
Secretary, so far as to keep in the Indian Territory the fragment
of the Ponca Tribe who were still there.

I took no public part in the matter. My