The Nevada Democrat. [volume] (Nevada, Calif.) 1854-1863, 1860-05-09
masonic speoch OF an indian,

At Masonic banquet given In Chicago Hi
nois, in September last, Ely s. Parker, a chief
OF the Six Nations, and praeticng lawyer OF
Galena, delivered speech which Is spoken Of
thus, in an article Published in the Masonic
Journal:
One speech of the evening, as also an Incl
dent attending it, deserves more particular
mention. II was that of Brother Sir Knight
Parker, grandson of Red Jacket, and his sue
cessor as chief of the Six Nations. He is full
blood chief but highly educated, and an elo-
quent speaker. | shall not attempt even an
outline of bis speech, for. If reproduced, II
should be with its charms Of action and utter
anee, which very few white men could equal.
He spoke Of himself as almost lone remnant
Of what was once noble race Of his struggles
In coming forward to manhood, and seeing bis
race disappearing as the dew before the morn
ing sun. As he found bis race thus waning
away, he asked himself, where shall go when
the last of my race shall have gone forever
Where shall Gnd home and sympathy when
our last council fire is extinguished? said
will knock at the door of Masonry, and see
If the white race will recognize me, as they had
my ancestors, when we were strong and the
white men weak knocked at the door Of the
Blue Lodge and found brotherhood around its
altar. kDelt before the great light in the
chapter, and found companionship beneath the
royal arch. | entered the encampment and
found valiant sir knights willing to shield me
here without regard TO race or nation. l went
further. knet at the cross of my Savior, and
found christian brotherhood, the GROWING char.
ity of the Masonic tie. | am most happy 10
meet you ia the grand council of this gathering
and sit with you at this festive board to share
these greetings and hospitaties. feel assur-
ed that when my glass is run out and shall
follow the footsteps of my departed race, Ma
sonic sympalhies will cluster around my coffin,
and drop in my lonely grave, the ever green
accacia sweet emblem Of q better meeting. II
my race shall disappear from this continent, |
have the consong hope that our memory will
not perish. II the deeds of my ancestors shall
not live in story their memories remain in the
names of your lakes aud rivers your towns and
cities, and will call up memories otherwise for
gotten"
Few eyes could hold their tears, US he poured
forth in words like these the utterances Of a
full heart. Silence for a time prevailed after
be sat down, when he arose and said III have
In my possession mementO which highly
prize-I wear it near my heart. 1t came from
my ancestors to me, as their successor in Office.
II was present from Washington to my grand
father. Red Jacket, when your nation was In
its infancy. You will be glad to see and han
die ii, and would do wrong were not to give
you the opportunity As be spoke thus, he
removed the wampum from his neck, and drew
from bis bosom'a large massive medal, in oval
FORM some seven inches by FIVE, and IL passed
from hand to hand along the tables. On ono
side Of this medal were engraved, in full length,
the figures Of two cbefs-Red jacket, in cos
tune, presenting the pipe OF peace, and Wash
ington, with right hand extended, as in the act
of receiving it. On the other side were the
Masonic emblems. with the date, 1902, IL my
memory serves me correctly.