Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1856-06-27

Luxury spreads Its ample board befors
their eyes but they are excluded frou
the banquet. Plenty revels over the
fields but they are starving in the midst
OF its abundance; the whole wilderness
has blossomed into a garden; but they
feel as reptiles that infest it.
How different was their state, while
yet the undisputed lords Of the soil -
Their wants were few, and the means of
qualification within their reach. They
saw every one around them sharing ths
same lot, enduring the same haldships.
feeding on the same ailments, arrayed Ia
the same rude garments.
No roof then rose but it was open to
the homeless strangers no smoke eurled
among the trees, but he was welcomed to
sit down by its fire, and join the hunter
in his repast. For" says an old histo-
rian of New England, their life is SO
void Of care, and they are so loving also.
that they make use Of those they enjoy
as common goods, and are therein so
compassionate, that rather than one sbo'd
starve throagh want, they would starvs
all; thus do they pass their time merrily,
not regarding our pomp, but are better
content with their own, which some mea
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 the shades of the
forests, but shrink from the hand of cult
walton, and perish beneath the influence
Of the sun.
In discussing the savage character,
writers have been too prone to indulge
in vulgar prejudice and passionate exag-
geration, instead Of the candid temper of
true philosophy. They have not sufi-
ciently considered the peculiar circum-
stances in which the Indians have been
placed, and the peculiar principles under
which they have been, educated. No
being acts more rigidly from rule than
the Indian. His whole CONDUCT is reeu-
lated according to some general maxims
early implanted 10 his mind. The moral
laws that govern him, are, to be sure, but,
few; but then, he conforms TO them all ::
the white man abounds in laws of reli-
gion, morals, and manners but how
many does he violate!
Afrequent ground cfaccusation against
the Indians, is their disregard Of treaties.
and the treachery aud wantonness with
which, in time Of apparent peace, they
will suddenly fly to hostilities. The in
4 tercourse of the white men with the In
dians, however, is too apt to be cold, dis
trustful, oppressive, and insulting. They
seldom treat them with that confidence
and fiankness which are indispensable to
real friendship; nor is sufficient caution
observed not to offend against those feel
ings Of pride or superstition, which often
prompt the Indian 70 hostility quicker
than mere considerations Of interest.
The solitary savage feels silently, but
acutely. Ills sensibIities are not diffused
over SO wide surface as those Of the
white man bat they run in deeper and
steadier channels. His pride, his affec-
tions, his superstitions. are all directed
towards fewer objects but the wounds
inflicted on them, are proportionably Sc
we're, and furnish motives Of hostility
which we cannot sufficiently appreciate.
/ Where a community is also limited in
number, and forms one great patriarchai
family, as in an Indian tribe, the injury
Of an individual, is the injury Of the
whole and the sentiment of vengeance
Is almost instantaneously diifused One
eouneii-fre Is sufficient for the discussion
and arrangement Of q plan Of hostilities
Here, here allthe fighting men and sages
assemble Eioquence and superstition
I combine TO influence the minds Of the
warriors The orator awakcns their
martial ardor, and they are wrought up
to a kind Of religious desperation by the
visions u the prophet and dreamer.