The Indian: On the Battle-Field and in the WigwamFrost, John
History
The Indian: On the Battle-Field and in the Wigwam
Frost, John
Indians of North America
And, when he had concluded this part of the subject, he proceeded to
place before his now attentive auditors, the advantages of civilization,
learning, science, and a regular system of laws and morality. He
contrasted the wild Indian, roaming the desert in savage independence,
now revelling in the blood of enemies, and in his turn, the victim of
their insatiable vengeance, with the peaceful citizen, enjoying all the
comforts of cultivated life in this happy land; and only bounded in his
indulgences by those salutary restraints, which contribute as well
to his own happiness as to that of society at large. He described
the husbandman, enjoying, in the bosom of his family, a peaceful
independence, undisturbed by apprehensions of midnight surprise,
plunder, and assassination; and he finished by a solemn appeal to
heaven, that his sole motive for coming among them was the love ot his
Creator and of his creatures.
As the benevolent missionary closed his appeal, Red Jacket, a Seneca
chief of great authority, and the most eloquent of all his nation, rose
and enforced the exhortations of the venerable preacher. He repeated his
leading arguments, and--with an eloquence truly astonishing in one like
him--pleaded the cause of religion and humanity. The ancient council
then deliberated for the space of nearly two hours; after which
the oldest man arose, and solemnly pronounced the result of their
conference--“That the Christian God was more wise, more just, more
beneficent and powerful, than the Great Spirit, and that the missionary
who had delivered his precepts, ought to be cherished as their best
benefactor--their guide to future happiness.” When this decision was
pronounced by the venerable old man, and acquiesced in by the people,
the rage of the Prophet of the Alleghany became terrible. He started
from the ground, seized his tomahawk, and denouncing the speedy
vengeance of the Great Spirit upon their whole recreant race, darted
from the circle with wild impetuosity, and disappeared in the shadows of
the forest.
[Illustration: 0247]
PETER OTSAQUETTE.
ILLUSTRATIVE OF THE FORCE OF EARLY HABIT.
[Illustration: 9247]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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