Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1883-07-24
For the SPECTATOR.
4 Speech from q FuII-Bio0ded Pawnee
Indian.
PAwNEE AGENCY, INDIAN TERRITORY,

PAwNEE AGENCY, INDIAN TERRITORY, /
July 18th, 1888. T.
Ny Agent, Superintendent, and Teacher Of
this School, and all ma other friends.
Never developed in me the thought, the
power, and the eloquence of an immortal
Webster or Clay; but can see that we are
passing from the strength of numbers and
savagery to higher ranks, and the discovery
of new sense to us. AS my race ap-
proaches the world we see with our eyes,
hear with our ears, and we obtain knowl-
edge as different from the faith of our an
cestors as yours is from ours tonight. This
is grown from our contact with you, who
are so much more advanced in the arts and
sciences, and cultured in refinement OF
thoughts and expressions.
These are the attributes of your power
over us; and as snow melts under the sun
of Spring time, so does the Indian of long
ago disappear before the advancing hordes
of civilization.
Your advancement in all that is grand
and sublime is feature fixed in your
course through time, while our extermi-
nation as Indians, the absorption of a
weaker by stronger race is unchanged,
and with each succeeding year and increas-
ing speed hastens to the tomb to soon be a
forgotten race.
These are solemn reflections for me; but
the inevitable cannot be changed. These
tiny hands and little hearts of the children
of my people, who are now before me, are
not longer learning war from those who
have gloried in blood and scalps, but are
now sitting in the current that is fast tax
ing them from the source of rudeness and
barbarity, soon to be lost in the great sea
of human knowledge.
1t is right; it is best; and the farther they
are from camp and from the buffalo
grounds the better it is for them. would
not have them stop on the way, but wish
to encourage every child under the sound
Of my voice to press onward. l can now
see where I failed to turn my opportunity
to the best account when young. l then
thought schooling was hard and unnecessary;
but let me tell you, my Indian friends, that
it has been but recently since appreciated
my little education and felt the need of
more. An Indian can have no experience
more impressive of the need of education
than to travel as l did few years ago,
and mingle with the best people of the
largest and most populous cities in the
country. 1t was then and there that l
first saw the needs of my people, and wish
that all of you, young friends. could have
my opportunity III oCOAiS oAiC ways VA :"
great people Press forward; press on
ward: Children, do not be discouraged,
and before you are as old as I am you will
appreciate my advice as you can not now.
And to you, Mr.. Davis and my teachers,
and all the other employees i'll this school,
permit me to express my pleasure and
gratitude to you for your efforts to advance
these children, who have lad good teachers
before, and whom we loved as such, but
not to compare with you all, and in no in
stance have been so highly pleased and
hopeful of the future of my nation as when
witnessing the exercises a few evenings ago
Of the children as taught by Christian per-
sons, who acknowledge their humanity
and love their souls; and | would beg of
you the continued exercise of patience with
these children. Their scope of mind will
not compare with yours; they cannot reason
from cause to effect as yOa can. and they
sometimes become impatient when in the
discharge OF duties. Continue to bring to
your assistance the patience and courage
have seen you manifest in your tiresome
task. And though l am an Indi IN, l tell
you SO, that the Great Spirit, one whom
the Indians have confidence in, will reward
you for Your labor, if not in this world, in
the world to come. Good night.
Spoken by RALF W1LDs.
Little Warrior, Indian Territory.
Reported by j. c. Pul6n.