Weekly Trinity journal., 1860-07-07

(Froal Claiborn's Life Of Gen. SUM Ddlel
Tccumseh's Speech.

Tecumseh led, the warriors followed, one N
the footsteps Of the other The Creeks, in deIfe
masses, stood on each side of the path. but he
Shawnees noticed no one, they marched to fhe
pole in the center of the square aud then turAed
to the left At each angle of the square Tecum-
sch took from his pouch some tobacco and SUI
mach, and dropped it on the ground /; his warriors
performed the same ceremony. This they re-
peated three times as they marched around the
square Then they approached the flag pole in
the center, encircled around 1t three times, and
facing the north, threw tobacco and sumach on
a small fire, burning as usual, near the base of
the pole. On this they emptied their pouches.
They then marched in the same order to the
council, or kings house, (as it was termed in an
cient timcs) and drew up before it. The Big
Warrior and leading men We're sitting there The
Shawnee chief sounded his war-whoop-a most
diabolical yell-and each of his followers respon-
ded. Tecumseh then presented to the Big War
ror a wampum belt of five different colored
strands which the Creek chief handed to his war
rors and it passed down the line. The Shaw
nee's pipe was then produced ; it was large, long.
and profusely decorated with shells, beads, aud
painted eagle and porcupine quilts. 1t was light
ed from the fire in the center, and slowly passed
from the Big Warrior along the line.
All this time not word had been uttered
everything was still as death even the winds
slept, and there was only tho gentle falling OF
leaves. At length Tecumseh spoke ut first
slowly and in sonorous tones, but he soon grew
impassioncd and the words fell in avalanches
from his lips, his eyes burned with supernatural
lustre, and his whole frame trembled with emo
tion ; his voice resounded over the multitude
now sinking in low and musical whispers, now
rising to its highest key, hurlng out his words
like succession of thunderbolts. His countc
nance varied with his speech its prevalent eX-
preston was sneer of hatred and defiance
sometimes a murderous smile ; for brief inter
val a sentiment of profound sorrow peryaded 1t,
at the close look of concentrated vengeance
such, suppose, as distinguishes the arch enemy
of mankind
l have heard many great orators, but never
saw enc with the vocal powers Of Tecumseh, or
the same command of the muscles of his face.
Had been deaf, the play of his countenance
would have told me what he said Its effect on
that wild, superstious untutorcd aud warke
assemblage may be conceived not a word was
said, but stern warriors, the "stoics OF the
woods" shook with emotion. and thousand
tomahawks were hrandshcd in the air. Even
the Big Warrior, who had been true to the whites
and remained faithful during the war, was for The
moment visbly affected, and more than once !
saw his huge hand clutch, spasmodcally, the
handle Of his knile. All this was the elect OF
his delivery for though the mother of Teeumseh
was a Creek, and he was familiar with the dla-
lect, aud it was afterwards interpreted by an In
dian lngust to the assembly His speech has
been reported, but no one has done or can do 1t
Justice. | think can repeat the substance OF
what he said, and, indeed, his very words
TECUMsEu's SPEECH
In defense of the white warriors of Ohio and
Kentucky, | have Travelled through their settle
ments once our favortc hunting grounds. No
war whoop was sounded but there Is blood on
our knives. The pale faces felt the blow, but
knew not from whence ii came.
Accused be the race that has seized on our
country and made women OF our warriors. Our
fathers, from their tombs reproach us as slaves
and towards. | hear them now in the waing
winds.
The Muscogee was once a mighty people. The
Georgians trembed at your war-whoop, and the
maidens Of my tribe, on the distant lakes, sung
the prowess OF your warriors aud sighed Tor their
embraces.
Now, your very blood is white, your tomabawks
have no edge, your bows and arrows were buried
with your fathers. Oh Muscogee, brethren OF
my mother, brush from your eyelids the sleep OF
slavery once more strike for vengeance-0nce
more for your country The spirits Of the mighty
dead complain. The tears drop from the weeping
skies. Let the white race perish.
They seize your land, they corrupt your wo'
men they trample on the ashes Of your dead
Back, whence they came, upon trail of blood
they must be driven.
Back back aye, into the great water whose
accursed waves brought them to our shores
Burn their dwellings Destroy their stock
Slay their wives and children! The red man
owns the country, and the pale face must never
enjoy It'll
War now War forever War upon the living
War upon the dead Dig their very corpses
from the grave. Our country must give no rest
to a white mans bones.
All the tribes of the North are dancing the
wardance. Two mighty warriors across the
seas will send us arms.
Tecumseh will soon return to his country. My
prophets shall tarry with you. They will stand
between you aud the bullets Of your enemies
When the white man approaches you, the yawn-
ing earth shall swallow him up.
Soon shall you see my arm OF fire stretched
athwart the sky. will stamp my foot al Tippe
canoe and the very earth shall shake.
Wrrtr RI I'm IIfN al nunabor of ibo