Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-10-23
TECUMsEE's ELoQUENcE.

TECUMsEEs EL0QUENCE.
Tecumseh led, the warriors followed, one in
the footsteps OF the other. The Greeks in
dense masses stood on each side of the path,
but the Shawnees noticed one; they
marched to the pole in the centre OF the square
and then turned TO the left. AT each angle of
The square, ,Tecumseh ook from his pouch some
tobacco and sumach, and dropped it on the
ground. and his warriors performed the same
ceremony. This they repeated three times
they marched round the square. They then
approaehed the flag pole in the centre, circled
around it three times, and facing the North,
threw tobacco and sumach on small fire,
burning as usual, near the base of the pole.
On this they cmptied their pouches.
They then marched in the same order to the
Council, or kings house, Gas il was termed in
ancient times,) and drew up before it. The
Big Warrior and leading men were sitting
there. This Shawnee chief sounded his war
whoop-a most diabolicai yell-and each of
his followers responded. Tecumseh then pre-
sented to the Big Warrior a wampum belt of
five different colOred strands, which The Creek
chief handed to his warriors, and it passed
down the line. The Shawnee's pipe was then
produced; it was large, long, and profusely
decorated with shell beads, painted eagle, and
porcupine quilts. 1t was lighted from the fire
in the centre, and slowly passed from the Big
Warrior along the line. At this time not
as death, even the winds slept, and there was
only the gentle fall Of leaves. At length Te-
cGmseh spoke at first slowly and in sonorOus
tones, but he soon grew impassioned, and the
words fell in avalanches from his lips, his
eyes burnt with superior lustre, and his whole
frame trsmbled with emotion his voice re-
sounded over the multitude, now sinking in
low and musical whispers, now rising to its
highest key, hurling out his words like sue
cession of thunderbolts. His countenance
varied with his speech its prevalent express
sion was a sneer of hatred and defiance, some-
times amurderous smile; for brief interval
sentiment of profound sorrow pervaded it;
and 1t the close look OF concentrated ven
geance, such, l suppose, as distinguishes the
arch enemy OF mankind.
have heard many great orators, but never
saw one with the vocal powers of Tecumseh,
or the same command over the muscles of his
face. Had | been deaf, the play of his cOun-
tensnce would have told me what he said. Its
effects upon that wild, untutored, warlike as
sembage may be conceived; not word was
said, 5u. stern warriors, tho ssstoics of the
wood shook with emotion, and q thousand
tOmahawks were brandished in the air. Even
The Ejg Warrior, who had been true to the
whites during the war, was, for the moment,
yisiblv affected, and N ore than once saw his
huge hand clutch, spasmodically the handle
OF his knife. All this was the effect of his
delivery, for though the mother Of Tecumseh
Was Greek, and he was familiar with the
language, he spoke in the northern dialect,
and was afterwards Interpreted by an Indian
iinguist to the assembly. His speech has been
reported, but no one has or can do him justice.
think can repeat the substance Of what he
said, and, indeed, his very words:
TECUasEH's SPEECH.
In defiance Of the white warriors of Ohio
and Kentucky, have travelled through their
gats ants far f,,,v,<
No war-whoop was sounded, but there is blood
oa our knives. The pale faces felt the blow,
bG: kaey not from whence it came. Accused
be Tie race that has seized our warriors. Our
fathers, from their tombs, reproach us slaves
and towards. ! here them now in the wailing
winds. The Muscogee was once a mighty
people. The Gcorgians trembled at your war
whoup, as1 the maidens OF my tribe, on the
distant lakes, sung the prOwess of your warr-
Oss and sighed for their embraces. Now your
very blood is white, your tomahawks have no
edge, ycHr bows and arrows have been buried
with your fathers. Oh Muscogee, brethren
OF my mother, brush from your eyelds
the sieaps Of slavery; once more strike for
Vengeance. once more for your country. The
spirits of the mighty dead complain. The
'ears drop from the weeping skies. Let the
white race perish They seize your land they
corrupt your woman they trample on the
ashes Of your dead Back whence they came,
upon trail of blood they must he driven.
Back! back, aye, into the great water whose
aecurSed waves brought them to our shores
Busn their dwellings! Destroy their stock
o!ay their wives and children The Red man
owns the country land the pale faces must never
ENJOY it! War now War forever! War
upon the living! War upon the dead Dig
.neir very corpses from the grave! Our cOun-
ny must give no rest to the white mans bones.
All The tribes Of the North are dancing the
var dance. Two mighty warriors across the
aeas will send US arms. Tecumseh will soon
.s.urn to his country. My prophets shall tarry
WIN you. They will stand between you and
oai'ets of your enemies. When the white man
approaches you, the yawning earth shall swal
Iw him up. Soon you shall see my arm Of
use stretched athwart the sky. will stamp
-! loot at Tippecan0e, and the very earth
Dale.
Aipe fruits fall with-their own weight. Un-