Chief Joseph Quotes
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If the white man wants to live in peace with the Indian he can live in peace.
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My people were divided about surrendering.
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It does not require many words to speak the truth.
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An Indian respects a brave man, but he despises a coward.
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The first white men of your people who came to our country were named Lewis and Clark. They brought many things that our people had never seen. They talked straight. These men were very kind.
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I will speak with a straight tongue.
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We had a great many horses, of which we gave Lewis and Clark what they needed, and they gave us guns and tobacco in return.
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I hope that no more groans of wounded men and women will ever go to the ear of the Great Spirit Chief above, and that all people may be one people.
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I believe much trouble would be saved if we opened our hearts more.
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We damaged all the big guns we could, and carried away the powder and the lead.
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Good words will not give me back my children.
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I only ask of the government to be treated as all other men are treated.
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When I think of our condition, my heart is heavy. I see men of my own race treated as outlaws and driven from country to country, or shot down like animals.
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The earth is the mother of all people, and all people should have equal rights upon it.
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I labored hard to avoid trouble and bloodshed.
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Words do not pay for my dead people.
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I want the white people to understand my people.
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I said in my heart that, rather than have war, I would give up my country.
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We did not know there were other people besides the Indian until about one hundred winters ago, when some men with white faces came to our country.
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When an Indian fights, he only shoots to kill.
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Lawyer acted without authority from our band. He had no right to sell the Wallowa country.
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The Indian race are waiting and praying.
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We soon found that the white men were growing rich very fast, and were greedy.
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Treat all men alike. Give them the same law. Give them an even chance to live and grow.