Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1860-12-08
MAsoNlc srAErm on An INDIAN.


AT the Masonic banquet given in Chica-
60, II September list, Ely s. Parker,
chief Of the Six Nations aud a practising
lawyer Of Gaena, H., delivered speech,
which is thus spoken Of in a Masonic Jour
nal.
"One speech ii the evening, and also an
incident attending it, deserves more particu-
lar attention Parker, a grandson Of Red
Jacket. aud his successor as Chief of the
Six Nations. He is a Gllblooded Chief,
buthighly educated and an eloquent speak
er.
shall not attempt ven an outline ofhis
speech, for, ifreproluced, il should be with
its charm OF action and utterance, which
very few white men could equal. bespoke
of hinselfas almost a lone remnant Of what
was once a noble race; Of his struggle in
coming forward to manhood, aud seeing
bis race disappear as dew betore the
morning sun.
As hesaw his face wasting away lie asked
Himself; "Where SHALL 60 when the last
Indian i gone foreyer9 Where shall /
find home sympathy when our last coun-
cilfire is extinguishsdQ 1 said, viii knock
az The doorof Missionary, and see iftLe white
race will recognize me, as they had my an
cestors, when we were strong and they weEl
weak. | knocked at the door Of the Blue
Lodge, and found brotherhood around its
alter. | knelt before the great lightinthe
Chapter, and found companionship beneath
the Royal Arch. | entered the encamp-
ment, and found valiant Sir Knights willing
to Shield me here without regard to race or
nation. went further, 1 knelt at tho
cross of nv Saviour, and found Christian
brotherhood the browning charity of the
Masonic councils Of the gathering, and sit
with you at this festive board, to share
these greetings and Inequalities. feel
assured when my glass has run out, and 1
shall follow the footsteps Of my departed
race; Masonic sympathies will cluster around
my coffin and drop in my lonely grave
! the evergreen acacia, sweet emblem of a
better meeting If my race shall disap-
pear from the continent, shall have q
consoling hope that our memories win not
perish If the deeds of my ancestors shall
not live in story, their memories willrenanl
in the names Of your lakes and rivers, your
toFRns, aud cities, and viii cab up memories
otherwise forgotten" m sai
Few eyes could hold their tears, as he
1 poured fourth, inwords like these, the ut
terance Of fun heart. Silence prevailed
u after be sat down, when hearose again and
said: ana 3 89ses4i
4 4 have in my possession . momepto
which highly prize wear It near my
heart 1t came from my ancestors to me,
av their successorin Office. It was a pres
erst from Washington, TO my grandEtheS
Red Jacket, when our nation wasin it's ifr
! fancy. You will be glad % seeard handle
Lie, and shall do wrong were / not to give
you the opportunity"
Y AS be spoke hesdrew from his bosom
1 large massive medal, Ia oval form, some
seven inches by five, and it passed from
hand to hand along the tables. On one
side of this medal were engraved. in full
length, the figures Of two chiefs Red
4 Jacket in full costume, presenting the pips
Of peace, and Washington, with right hand
extended, as If il the act Of receiving it.--s
\ On the other side were Masonic enblems,
with the date 1895, # my memory is cor
rect.