The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-01-07
From the Pennsylvania Argus.
The Last Indians SoliIoquy.
BY JOHN H. HOOPES.

of the Red Men of the Forest! The bones
of my Fathers lie around me. They, who
were once the sole possessors of this Nigh
ty western world, have answered the call
of the Great Spirit, and found that protec-
ton which was denied them by the Pale
faced Race.
Oh, My Fathers! once these Vallies.
these Mountains, and these plains;-these
beautiful Lakes, and Rivers were yours!
Then unmolested, you could follow in
the chase of the Deer and Buffalo; and
undisturbed, you could float in safety on
these beautiful waters. Then, you could
60 forth to battle in all the pomp and glory
of war, and the treachery OF the Palefacs
was unknown TO you. ...,...
They came from over the great waters:
they were destitute OF the necessaries Of
life: they talked of love, and claimed your
friendship: they said that gold, and hon
ors would be yours, if you would permit
them to remain, and cultivate portion of
your soil.
Then, My Fathers! was pity awakened
in your hearts; you called them Brothers;
you gave them liberty to join in the chase;
the pipe Of Peace was smoked, and They
swore by the Great spirit, that the brighten
ing chain of friendship never should be
broken. But, alas! you did not dream
that trcachery lurked within them you had
cemented the chain of Friendship. and in
the simplicity Of your hearts, you only
thought Of peace, and the pleasures Of the
chase. ..... ......
Soon. the story of your love, and Of your
beautiful land, was borne across the great
waters 10 the Pale-faced nations, and they
came in hundreds to find home in. this
magnificent Western world. Then, My
Fathers, your miseries began; instead of
the gold and honors they had promised,
they gave you freely of their CURSED FIRE
WATER, and told you that this land was
not yours, and that you must remove to
where the sun sinks behind the western
waves. .....
My Fathers, then, you discovered their
treachery, and that your liberties were in
danger. You took up the Ratchet, and
your war-hoop bade defiance to the base
invading foe. The Pale-taces were few
in number, compared with the Red Men
OF the forest they sued for mercy and
begged you to forget their rash acts, and
again, call them brothers: you answered
their supplications; the hatchod was buri-
ed; the pipe Of Peace was smoked. and
they vow'd that the chain Of friendship
should never again be broken.
Oh, My Fathers: had you then waged
war Of determination; had you made
them seek for safety in their mother land,
this beautiful country would still be ours!
You trusted them too long; as years rolled
on they became more numerous; they be.
came acquainted with the secret places of
the country; they set you at war with one
another, and when they saw you were ex.
terminating yourselves. and that your
numbers were diminishing. they told you
that you must remove to the tar West
must leave your ancient hunting grounds,
and journey to the setting sun-there to
behold, in few years, their treacherous
faces again. Once more, you took up the
hatchet; again you sounded your war
hoop, and marched forth to battle for your
ancient homes,
But, oh, my Fathers, it was too late!
too long, had you trusted to their honor,
and now you were too weak! Like brave
men, you contended for your homes. You
cultivated your corn grounds by day, and
fought your Enemies by night. In the
agony of despair, you contended for the
grounds which for unnumbered ages had
been Yours, and only gave up with the
last drop Of your hearts blood
Like the withered leaves of autumn,
you have passed away, and stand among
the pale. faced millions, your last Repre-
sentative. lean hear your voices no more,
for they are hushed in death! am
stranger in my own land! no eye sheds
tear-no heart has pity for the poor and
fororn Indian-the last of his race! Like
beast of prey am hunted down by the
foul usurpers of my own domnions.
NY warriors are all dead; | can animate
them no more. No longer can | 60 forth
to battle, and return conqueror No
more, can fight beside the proud form Of
my Father. No longer, can receive the
fond caress of my Mother. No more can
behold my dark.eyed Indian Maid, and
breathe to her the fond hopes of faultless
love!--all! all are gone! gone to the Spirit
Land Farewell, ye scenes Of my child
hood farewell, ye mountains, where. Of
ten have stood, and listened to the Great
Spirit, when his angry voice in deep.ton-
ed thunder made the pale-faced tremble
for his guilt! Farewell, ye vallies, and ye
plains, where, once we could sing of war,
and dance around our fires!
Farewell, ye graves Of my Fathers!
can guard your sacred places no longer!
Farewell. PALE-FAcEs! the RED MAN will
contend with you no more!--you have des-
troyed all love so well; there is nothing
to bind me here! My Fathers received
you with kindness; you repaid them with |