"How, Americans"

Political candidates are always getting initiated into Indian tribes. Last week at Gallup, N. Mex., Dwight Eisenhower reversed the process: he initiated some 10,000 Indians into a U.S. tribal rite--the campaign speech.

Ike was greeted by an enthusiastic crowd and signs--"How, Big Chief Eisenhower." After sitting through a parade of tribal dancers, Ike began his speech: "Governor Mechem, Chairman Ahkeah . . . and I hope I may say my brethren of the Zuni, Hopis, Apaches, Papagos, Rio Grande Pueblos, Navajos, the Sioux . . ." He got a huge round of applause as he rattled off the Indian names, continued: "I am particularly sensitive to the great honor you have done me . . . asking as your guest one belonging to the profession [Army] that in years past was your enemy . . . Out of the stories that surrounded that epic campaign, boys of my time found their heroes. Now my own heroes were on the side that my own Army was then calling enemies--Red Cloud, Chief Dog, Rain in the Face, Young Man Afraid of His Horses, Crazy Horse, Geronimo ..." Tom-toms sounded as Ike named the chiefs.

"Later in my life I encountered representatives of these tribes on the field of battle. Never once, never once in all the campaigns of Europe with 3,000,000 Americans under my command, never did I have occasion to hear a complaint about the battle conduct of the North American Indian . . . The workaday chores of peace are far more difficult to carry out, and often require greater moral courage, great necessity to defy friends, a greater readiness to sacrifice . . . than even some of the most desperate chores and tasks of war.

"In going around this country, I am going to try to seek out groups such as this, where I can get close to people, talk to them, try to explain to them what is in my heart and mind and try with all that is in me to learn their everyday and immediate aspirations and hopes for peace, what they feel about the horrors of war, all the questions that mean so much . . ." He concluded: "I cannot leave here without expressing to you, my brethren of the tribes, my interest in your educational opportunities, your health improvements, all of those things which you so richly deserve, and which bring you finally to that stage where there is no difference, so that when we meet we will say, 'How, Americans.' "

Initiator Ike then shook hands with some of his red brethren, many of whom will be allowed to vote for the first time this year.

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