The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1856-07-09


perinduced upon their original barbarity
the low vices of artificial life. 1t has
given them thousand superHuous wants,
while it has diminished their means Of
mere existence. 1t has driven before it
the animals Of the chase, which fly from
the sound of the axe, and the smoke of
the settlement, and seek refuge in the
depths Of remoter forests and vet untrod-
den wids.
Thus do we too often find the Indians
on our frontiers, TO be the mere wrecks
and remnants of ONCE powerful tribes, who
have fingered in the vicinity Of the settle
mcnts, and sunk into prccarious and vaga-
bond existence. Poverty, refining and
hopeless poverty, n canker of the mind,
unknown in savage life, corrodcs their
spirits, and blights every free and noble
quality Of their natures. They become
drunken, imdolent, feeble and thievish.
They loiter, like vagranta, about the
settlements among spacious dwellings, re-
p!ctc with elaborate comforts, which only
reudcr them sensible Of the comparative
wrctchcdncss Of their own condition.
LUXURY spreads its ample board before
their eyes; but they are excluded from
tie banquet. Plenty revels over the
fields; but they are starving in the midst
Of lis abundance; the whole wilderness
has Oi2ssomed into a garden; but they
feel as reptiles that infest il.
How different was their state, while
yet the undispu,cd lords Of the soil -
Inc.r wants were few, and the means Of
qualification within their reach. They
saw every one around them sharing the
same lot, enduring the same hardships,
feeding on the same ailments, arrayeI in
the same rude garments.
No roof then rose, bat it was open to
the homeless stranger; no smoke curled
among the trees, but he was welcomed TO
sit down by its fire, and join the hunter in
his repRst. "For," says an eld historian
| Of New England. "lhcir life is so void of
care, and tncy are so loving also, that
they make Use Of those they enjoy as
common goods, and are therein so com
passionate, that rather than one should
siaIvc through want, they would starvc
all; thus do they pass their time merriy,
not regarding our pomp, but are better
content with their own, which some men
esteem so meanly Of"
Such were the Indians, while in the
pride and energy OF their primitive ma.
lures. They resemble those wild plants
which thrive best in tie shades Of tie for.
csts, but shrink from the hand Of cultira
ton, aud perish beneath the influence OF
the sun.
In discussing the savage character, wri-
ters have been too prone to indulge in
vulgar prejudice and passionate cxagge.
ration, instead of the candid temper OF
true philosophy. They have not sufi
cienily considered the peculiar circum
stances i'll which the Indians have been
placed, ana the peculiar principles under
which they have been educated. No
being acts more rigiGly from rule than the
Indian. His whole conduct is regulated
according to some general maxims early
implanted in his mind. The moral laws
that govern MIN, are, to be sure, but few
but then, lie conforms TO them all; the
white man abounds in laws Of religion,
morals, and manners; but how many
does he violate
a frequent ground Of accusation
against the Indians, is their disregard OF
treaties, and the ueashery and wanton-
ness with which, in time of apparent
peace, they viii suddenly fly TO hostiitics.
The intercourse Of the white men with the
Indians, however is too apt to he cold,
dlstrusttul, oppressive and insulting
They seldom treat them with that conf
dence and frankness which are indispcn-
sable TO real friendship; nor is Sufficient
caution observed not TO offend against
those feelings of pride or superstition,
which often prompt the Indian 10 hostil.
ty quicker than mere considerations Of in
tercst.
The solitary savage feels silently. but
acutely. His sensibiIities are not ditFuscd
over so wide surface as those Of the
white man; ; but they run in steadier and
deeper channels. His pride, his affections,
his superstitions, are all directed towards
fewer objects but the wounds inflicted on
them, are proportionably severe, and fur
nish motives Of hostility which we cannot
sufficiently appreciate.
Where community is also limited in
number, and forms one great patriarchal
family, as ID an Indian tribe, the injury
ofan individual, is the injury Of the whole;
and the sentiment Of vengeance is almost
instantancously diffused. One council
fire is sufficient for the diffusion and ar.
rangement Of plan of boslililics. Here,
here all the fighting msa and sages as.
semhie. Eloquence and superstition com.
bine to influence the minds of the warri
ors. The orator awakens their martial
ardor, and they are wrought up to kind
Of yelipioms DESPERATION hy The yisinns ol