The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1878-03-05

we set out to. meet our foes n
..tAs once But you are in error; it is
not the Sioux We fight"
= t'No! Whom, then p r
"The accursed pale facest"
"What! my own countrymen And
you would have me fight my own race p
"Why notP Are you not one OF US
now p. 49, yg.t
The young man remained silent for
short time. That there was terrible
inward struggle going on was plainly to
be seen, and the Chief watched him mar
rowly until he spoke, He said:
"Chief, you have deceived me. For a
long time / have seen that you were pre-
pairing for war; but you have led me to
believe it was against the Sioux you were
to fight. Had such been the case should
willingly have joined you. But I will
not fght against my own brothers-my
own race"
The Chief leaped to his feet and bis
eyes flashed fire as he spoke. He said.
"If they are your brothers then you.
are our enemy, and should die upon the
spot"
"Then kill me p was the firm answer.
81 will not fight against my own race!"
"Listen, young man, continued Won
tum; ''four years ago we captared you.
As our prisoner we should have taken
your life; we did not, but we spared you.
More than this, I'VE treated you with great
consideration ;and at length we gave you
our only daughter for wife. You swote
to become one of us---to make our inter.
ests your own. You have lived in indo-
lence; and now, for the first time, we ask
your aid. What is your replyp You
will not fghtW -
Mot against my race" :.
ssSuch race, indeed! What are they ?
What have they made us2 A few years
ago we lived in peace and happiness
away of toward the rising sun. The
rivers swanmed with Ash, andsthe forest
and prairies with game. We we're, in
deed, Manitou's favored children. But
the pale-face dogs-your race-came
among us They robbed US of our
lands. they desecrated the graves OF our
sires, they poisoned our warriors with
ire-water, and then they drove US from
our homes at the point of the bayonet.
With saddened hearts we came hither.-
But Manitou smiled upon US once more.
We asked the Great Spirit to give US
these lands, and be replied that they al.
ready belonged to his red children. !. We
became happy, for our exchange was q
good one But the pale faces learned Of
our prosperity and they envied US Then
they followed US with their poisons and
theiSlying tongues They profess friend
ship. but we know them. They shall
come no further If they are not driven
back they will force US again to leave
our homes, and we have nowhere to go
but unto the great waters They shall
not come! No, not so long as there
beats an Indian hesrt or there ia an arm
to oppose them! Join us, fight with US,
and you are one of us! Refuse, and
you will become equally our foe with
them, and you shall never live to gaze
upon the setting of that sum-
"You have spoken. Now listen to
me-" replied the young man, his eyes
flashing and his lips curling with scorn.
Speak! but remember that your
words will decide your fate"
you complain that the white man
has driven you from your homes. True
but why did they do SOP They came
among you to seek for homes, which
only bYs4ard toll they could secure
The lands belonged to my government,
aud they had as much right to live upon
them as you Had you not molested
them, they would not have disturbed
you. But you lighted the midnight torch
aid burned their houses to the ground
YOU butcheted in cold blood their helb-
less women and innocent children. The
mountains and the valleys echoed with
their dying shrieks, and the rivers were
crimsoned with their blood, Is it won.
der that strong men should have arisen
in their might and driven you back9-
No! And so long as you continue such
merciess acts you will still be driven
back +
"Beware how you speakp
"You ask me to Join you. In reply,
tell you there is no drop of traitors
blood in my veins. Not to save ter
thousand lives would ! become an apos
tate!" ,7 .
"You have decided
81 have; and nothing can change my
decision" a
The Chief whispered few words te
the savages around him. They appeat
ed delighted and began their yelling
which soon brought the entire band L
the spot These, learning what was go
ing on, joined in the dreadful chorus
until the mountains echoed an6 re.echotG
the sounds
Albert was seized and instantly bount
to tree; then quantity OF light brush
wood was piled around him. His wifi
had been eagerly watching The proceed
ings, and approaching her husband sh
asked:
"0ear Albert. will we know each othe
when we meet in the spirit-land p
"Yes, think so," was the reply.
"And can you talk to me there, ON,
fold me to your heart and tell me tina
you love me ever as you have don
here ?" Ill
81 am sure that can. Bat why d,
you ask ?"
because your spirit will scarcel
have left the earth ere mine will folio,
it. Perhaps we shall meet on the wa
and enter that bright land together |"
| No further words we're permitted, 10
Nemonie wss dragged away and the pyr
tlighted. The red fame darted upwar,
and encirclsd the form Of the youn
man; but no: groan or murmur es
capped him, and at length his head drop
lped upon his bosom, showing that lif
was extinct or nearly so.
u Mennonite had stood watching tn
dreadful scene; she appeared UNUSUAL,
calm, although she was very pale. Ono
she had glanced behind her. With
only few feet from the spot where sh
was standing there was cliff of rock:
aud below terrible gnlf hundreds q
feet deep. As soon as the wife saw th
head drop and knew that life was extinc
she said: a., e'
l 80