Zitat des Tages von Chief Joseph:
I would give up everything rather than have the blood of white men upon the hands of my people.
We gave up some of our country to the white men, thinking that then we could have peace. We were mistaken. The white man would not let us alone.
If the white man wants to live in peace with the Indian he can live in peace.
Let me be a free man - free to travel, free to stop, free to work.
I am tired of talk that comes to nothing.
I saw clearly that war was upon us when I learned that my young men had been secretly buying ammunition.
I did not want my people killed. I did not want bloodshed.
I believe much trouble would be saved if we opened our hearts more.
My father... had sharper eyes than the rest of our people.
Words do not pay for my dead people.
I cannot tell how much my heart suffered for my people while at Leavenworth.
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.
When my young men began the killing, my heart was hurt.
Governor Isaac Stevens of the Washington Territory said there were a great many white people in our country, and many more would come; that he wanted the land marked out so that the Indians and the white man could be separated.
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 makes my heart sick when I remember all the good words and the broken promises.
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.
War can be avoided, and it ought to be avoided. I want no war.
Lawyer acted without authority from our band. He had no right to sell the Wallowa country.
I saw that the war could not be prevented. The time had passed.
Good words will not give me back my children.
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.
I have heard talk and talk, but nothing is done.
For a short time we lived quietly. But this could not last. White men had found gold in the mountains around the land of winding water.
Treat all men alike. Give them the same law. Give them an even chance to live and grow.
The white men told lies for each other. They drove off a great many of our cattle. Some branded our young cattle so they could claim them.
The Indian race are waiting and praying.
We gathered all the stock we could find, and made an attempt to move. We left many of our horses and cattle in Wallowa. We lost several hundred in crossing the river.
I labored hard to avoid trouble and bloodshed.
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 will speak with a straight tongue.
A chief called Lawyer, because he was a great talker, took the lead in the council, and sold nearly all the Nez Perce country.
My people were divided about surrendering.
I would have given my own life if I could have undone the killing of white men by my people.
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.
I will obey every law, or submit to the penalty.