Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1856-06-27
Traits of Indian Character.
BY wAsnINeroN fRvINe.

There Is something in the character
and habits of the North American savage,
taken IN connection with the scenery over
which he is accustomed to range. its vast
lakes, boundless forests, majestic rivers,
and trackIess plains, that is, to my mind,
wonderfully striking and sublime, He
is formed for the wilderness, as the Arab
is for the desert. His nature is stern,
simple, and enduring; fitted to grapple
with difficulties, and to support priya-
tons.
There seeus but iittie sell ia the bsa.s
for the growth Of the kindly virtues; and
yet, if we would but take the trouble TO
penetrate through that proud stoicism
and habitual taciturnity which lock up
his character from casual observation. we
should find him linked TO his fellow-man
of civilized life by more Of those sympa-
thies and affections than are usually as
cribed to him.
1t was the lot Of the unfortunate abo-
rigines Of America, in the early periods
Of colonization, TO be doubly wronged by
the white men. They have been dispos-
sessed of their hereditary possessions by
mereenary and frequently wanton war;
fare; and their characters have been ira
duced by bigoted writers.
The colonist has often treated them
like beasts of the forest; and the author
has endeavored TO justify him in his out
RACES. The former found it easier to ex-
terminate than 10 civilize; the latter. 10
vilify than to discriminate. The appel
lations Of savage and pagan, were deem
ed sufficient TO sanction the hostilities of
both; and thus the poor wanderers Of
the forest were perseRted and DETAINED,
not because they were guilty, but because
they were ignorant.
/ The rights of the savage have seldom
been properly appreciated or respected
by the white man. In peace, he lIss too
often been the dupe of artful traffic; in
war he has been regarded as a ferocious
animal, whose life or death was a ques-
/ ton of mere precaution or convenience.
Man is cruelty wasteful of life when his
own safety is endangered, and he is shell
tered by impunity; and little mercy is tc
be expected from him when he feels the
sting Of the reptile, and is conscious Of
the power TO destroy.
The same prejudices which were in
dulged thus early, exist in common circu-
lation, at the present day. Certain learn
ed societies, it is true, have endeavored.
with laudable diligence, to investigate
and record the real characters and man.
ners Of the Indians tribes. The Ameri.
can government, too, has wisely and hu-
namely exerted itselfto inculcate a friend
/ ly and forbear-ing spirit towards them
and to protect them from fraud and in
justice.
The current opinion of the Indian
character, however, is too apt to be formed
from the miserable hordes which infest
the frontiers, and hang on the skirts Of
the settlements. These are too common.
/ ly composed Of degenerate beings, cor
rupted and enfeebled by the vices Of so
ciety, without being benefited by its civ
ilization. That proud independence which
formed the main pillar Of savage virtue.
has been shaken down, and the whole
moral fabric lies in ruins. Their spirits
are humiliated and debased by a sense oi
inferiority and their native courage eowed
and daunted by the superior power and
knowledge Of their enlightened neigh.
bors.
Society has advanced upon item like
one Of those withering airs that wii
sometimes breathe desolaiion over a whole
region Of fertility. Il has encryated
their strength, multiplied their diseases
and superinduced upon their origina
barbarity the low vices Of artificial life
II has given them thousand snperhuou,
wants, while il has diminished iiseii
means Of mere existence. il has driver
before il the animals Of the chase, which
fly from the sound Of the axe. and ih,
smoke Of the settlement, and seek refuge
in the depths Of renoier forests and ye
untrodden wilds
Thus de we TOO often Gnd the Indian
on our frontiers 70 be the mere wreck
and remnants Of once powerful tribes
who have fingered IN the vicinity of th'
settlements, aud sunk into precarious ass
vagabond existence. Poverty, re6uin:
and hopeless poverty, a canker Of fh'
mind, unknown 10 savage hfe, eofrode.
their spirits, and blighis every free ans
noble quality Of iheir natures. They BE-
. come drunken, indoler.t, feeble, and tiliey
ish.
They Ioiler, like vagrsnts, about ti'