Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1840-05-14
TIE INDIAN CHARACTER.
BY VIM. II. HARRISON.

BY VIM. II. HARRISON.
AN erroneous opinion has prevailed in
relation to the character Of the Indians o.
North America BY many, they are sup
posed to be stoics, who willingly encoun-
ter deprivations. The very reverse is tile
fact; if they belong to either of the classes
of philosophers which prevailed in the de-
cining ages of Greece and Rome, it is to
that of Epicureans. For no Indian will
forego an enjoyment, or suffer an inconven-
fence, if he can avoid it, but under pecu-
liar circumstances: when for instance he is
stimulated by some strong passion-but
even the qualification Of this, he is ever
ready to postpone whenever its accomplish
ment is attended with unlocked for danger,
or unexpected hardships. Hence their
military operations were always feeble
their expeditions few and far between, and
much the greater number abandoned with
out an efficient stroke, from whm, caprice
or an aversion to encounter difficulties.
But if the Indian will not, like Cato,
throw from him the pomps and pleasures,
with which his good fortune furnishes him
when evils come which he cannot avoid,
when the slings and arrows of outrageous
fortune fall thick upon him, then will he
call up all the spirit Of the man into his
bosom, and meet bis fate, however hard,
"hke the best Roman of them ALL
1T may be proper that should say some
thing more as to the character of the now
scattered and almost extinct tribes which
so long and so successfully resisted our
arms, and who for many years after, stood
in the relation of dependents, acknowledge
ing themselves under our exclusive protec-
ton. Their character as warriors, has al
ready been remarked upon. Their bravery
has never been questioned, although there
was certainly a considerable difference be-
tween the several tribes, in this respect.
With all bat lhe;Wyandots, flight in battle,
when meeting with unexpected resistance,
or obstacle. brought with it no disgrace
1t was considered rather as a principle of
tactics. And think it may be fairly con-
sidered as having its source in that peculi-
ar temperament of mind, which they often
manifested, of not pressing fortune under
any sinister circumstances, but patiently
waiting until the chances of successful
issue appeared to be favorable With the
Wyando,s it was otherwise. Their youth
were taught to consider any thing that had
the appearance of an acknowled cement of
the superiority Of an enemy, as disgraceful.
In the battle Of the Miami Rapids, of
thirteen Chiefs oil that tribe, who were
present, only one survived, and he badly
wounded
AS it regards their moral and intellectu-
al qualities, the difference between the
tribes was still greater The Shawanoes,
Delawares and Miamis, were much super
Tor to the other members Of the confedera-
-cy. have known individuals among them,
of very high order of talents, but these
were not generally to be relied upon for
sincerity. The Little Turtle, of the Miami
tribe, was of this description, as was the
Blue Jacket, Shawanoe Chief think
it probable that Tecumthey possessed more
integrity than any other of the Chiefs, who
attained to much distinction, but he viola
ted a solemn engagement which he had
freely contracted, and there are strong sus-
picions of his having formed treacherous
design, which an accident only prevented
him from accomplishing. Sinister instan-
ces are, however, to be found in the con-
duct of great men, in the history of almost
all civilized nations. But these instances
are more than counterbalanced by the num-
Der of individuals of high moral character,
which were to he found among the princi-
pal and secondary Chiefs of the four tribes
above mentioned. This was particularly
the case with Tahe, or the Crane, the
Grand Sachem of the Wyandots, and
Black lloof, the Chief of the Shawanoes.
Many instances might be adduced to show
the possession, on the part ofthese men, of
an uncommon degree of disinterestedness
and magnanimity, and strict performance
of their engagements, under circumstan-
'ces which would be considered hv many as
justifying evasion.
But one of the brightest parts ofthe char
of Greenvie, 1879, he sent for Captain Wells i,
him that the wished him to go to Sandusky and
formation" Wells, (who having been taken from
Kentucky when boy, and brought up amongst
the Indians was per&ctly acquainted with their
4character,) answered that that che could take a
prisoner, but not from Sandusky." .tAnd why
not from Sandusky'" said the General, ''Be-
cause, ;" answered the Captain, "there are only
Wyandots there" SWELL why will not Wyan-
dots do,'' "For the best of reasons said
Wells, "becausc Wyandots will not be taken a
live