The Shasta courier., 1863-01-10
Masonic Speech by an Indian.

AT q Masonic banquet gwen Ill
H., in September last, Ely S. Parker, a chief
Of the Six Nations, and practising lawyer
Of Galena, H., delivered speech which is
thus spoken of in an article published in the
Masonic Journal: -
One speech of the evening, as also an incl
dent attending it, deserves more particular
attention. 1t was that of Brother Sir Knight
Parker, grandson of Red Jacket, and his
successor of the Six Nations. He is full
blooded chief but highly educated, and an
eloquent speaker. | shall not attempt even
an outline of his speech, fol, if reproduced, it
should be with its charms of action and ut
terance, which very few white men could
equal He spoke of himself as almost a lone
remnant of what was once noble race; of
his struggles in coming forward to manhood,
and seeing his race disappear as the dew be-
fore the morning sun. As he found his race
thus waning away, he asked himself, ''Where
shall | find home and sympathy when our
last council FIRE is extinguished p
- | said | Will knock at the door of Mason
ry 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 bro
therhood around its altar. Iknelt before the
great light in the Chapter, and found COM
panionShip beneath the royal arch. | en-
tered the encampment and found valiant sir
knights willing to shield me here without re-
gard to race or nation. | went further. l
knelt at the cross Of my Saviour and found
Christian brotherhood, the crowning charity
of the Masonic tie. am most happy to meet
you in the grand councils of the gathering,
and sit with you at this festive board to share
these greetings and hospitalities. feel as
sured that when my glass is run out, and
shall follow the footsteps of my departed race,
Masonic sympathies viii cluster round my
coffin and drop in my lonely grave the ever
green acacia. sweet emblem of better
meeting. If my race shall disappear from
the continent, | have the consoling hope that
our memory will not perish. If the deeds of
my ancestors shall not live in story. their
memories remain in the names of your lakes
and rivers, your towns and cities, and will
call up memories otherwise forgotten"
Few eyes could hold their tears as lie pour
ed forth in words like these the utterance of
full heart. Silence for time prevailed
after he sat down, when lac arose and said /:
81 have in my possession memento which
/ highly prize; wear it next my heart. 1t
came from my ancestors to me as their sue
cesSOr in Office. 1t was a present from
Washir gton to my grandfather, Red Jacket,
when your nation was in its infancy You
will be glad to see and handle it, and
should, do wrong where not to give you the
opportunity y As he spoke thus he removed
the wampum from his neck, and drew from
his bosom large, massive medal in oval
form, some seven inches by FIVE, and it pass
cd from hand to hand along the tables. On
one side of this medal were engraved, in full
length, the figures of two chiefs-Red Jacket
in costume, presenting the pipe of peace, and
Washington with right hand extended. as in
the act of receiving it. On the other side
were the Masonic emblems, with the date
1872, if my memory is correct.
AN AMUSING DoDGE-A few days since, at
Elmira. n Y, while some laborers were en-
gagged in digging cellar, the owner Of the
premises picked up from the dirt $40 gold
piece which he took particular pains to show
about town. The excitement became intense
and the cellar was quickly filled with volun-
teer laborers, who threw out the earth with
a rapidity that must have been exceedingly
gratifying to the person interested in having
the work finished. Occasionally an old cop,
per would turn up, and soon selves were in
requisit,on. One . cent piece was discovered
At length the excitement became so intense
that one fevered bystander actually paid the
owner 81 for the privilege of digging three
hours. He was rewarded by the discovery
of four eoppers The cellar was full of volun-
teer diggers from 10 A. NJ uuti nightfall, at
which time, sufficient excavation having
been made, the owner proclaimed that no
more digging would be allowed