The Chemawa American, March 03, 1920, Image 1

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P r i n t e d a t C h e m a w a , O re g o n , a n d D e v o te d to t h e I n t e r e s t s o f I n d i a n E d u c a t io n
Vol. X X II
W e d n esd ay , M arch 3, 1920
ANOTHER MILE STONE PASSED
The Fortieth Anniversary of the Birthday of Chemawa—
the Great School.
HON. H ENR Y C. SICADE MADE STRONG ADDRESS
Superintendent Hall Made Honorary Member of Tribes of
Pacific Coast Indians.
On the evening of February 25, 1920, there as­
sembled in the auditorium at Chemawa a large con­
course of people, old and young, to show honor to the
school in the exercises that commemorated the fortieth
anniversary of our beloved institution. Supt. Hall pre­
sided, and the speaker of the evening and mem­
bers of ouraJunini association were seated on the plat­
form with him. An orchestral number started the pro­
gram and there were numbers by the Girls’ Octet, the
Girls’ Mandolin and Guitar Club, a vocal solo by
Charles Williams, and a ’cello solo by George Barrett.
All of the numbers were well rendered and well re­
ceived. The general verdict was that the Octet Girls
had never before sang so well as on this occasion.
Mr. Reginald Downie, an alumni member and an .
employe, was called on for a few remarks and re­
sponded in a manner both able and entertaining. He
reminded- all of the great expenditure of funds in the
creation and maintenance of an institution such as
Chemawa and that the payment for the same should
come in the way of perfected man- and womanhood,
through the paths of education and industrial effort.
It was a good talk.
At the proper moment Supt. Hall made some very
appropriate remarks and voiced his pleasure in intro-..
ducing the speaker of the evening, Hon. Henry C.
Sicade of Tacoma, Wash., who at once arose to ad­
dress the vast assemblage. The address was in many
ways remarkable. He held the closest attention of
all and there were interspersed throughout his discourse
bits of humor and the most serious statements of facts.
It was splendid: we enjoyed it all and are delighted to
publish it, as follows:
S u p e r in t e n d e n t , S t u d en ts op C h em a w a , and
F r ie n d s :
Forty years ago today I came to Oregon. All bjg
things as a rule have small beginnings. I was one of
the first 18 students who formed or started what is
now the Chemawa school. What I always recall most
distinctly was my first "bawling out’ ’ at Forest Grove.
I brought up at the rear of the crowd and the old Cap­
tain "bawled” me out because I was rubbering around
No. 21
and had strayed from the fold.
I have always looked forward to coming here to
visit your school and this is my first opportunity in
forty years. I wanted to come, but someway things
always prevented me. I hope I may be alive when
you have your fiftieth anniversary so that I may again
be with you. I think I will be alive then—will try
anyway.
I believe I am addressing real 100-percent Americans
—I am proud to be with you. During the war a great
many of our boys enlisted and "went over.” I had
the honor to be the registrar down in my section. I
was too old to go, I had too big a family, and the gov­
ernment did not want to support them, but I registered
hundreds of men for war service and when I made my
report to the draft board they asked me: "How many
Indian boys did you register?” I walked away- from
the clerk and said, "Very few.” He asked, " What
is the matter?” I answered, "Mr. Hubbard, they are
already gone.” Some had gone to the navy, some to-
the army, and some to British Columbia to join the
British forces. I said to him, "They do not have to
register.” Down there Cushman has a little service
flag—I was just admiring the bunch of stars on your
flag. That school is composed mostly of small boys
and girls, and that school—I am proud to say,
my school—sent 76 to the war and of that number
only six were drafted and tw’o of these entered the
service before they were called. Now, that is our
record. I don’t know what your record is but I no­
tice that here on the platform there are ex-soldiers
and it makes me proud.’’
Now, boys and girls, wdien you go back to your
people do not be ashamed to be an Indian. I have
known people that have Indian blood who feigned
other nationalities. Don’t do this, because we are
100-percent Americans.
Your Superintendent has asked me to speak of the
early days. A great many things have happened in
forty years and I have forgotten much. However, I
want to tell you this: We came to Forest Grove with
a purpose—to better ourselves, to get an education,
and we had high ideals set for us. Why, our people
at home expected us to return from school as ship
owners, mill owners, etc., and one old chief whispered
to me, "Don’t you come back unless you wear the
Governor’s hat.” I think we disappointed them. We
did not jar the world when we got back, but we have
been plugging right along. We have had to work.
I want to relate an incident: When we arrived at
(Continued on page 4)