New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-11-09
RED JACKET AND TWE CRUCiEIAi0N
AN oorENT SERMON WASTED.

rofhe razor OF Thc TrtbHac
SIR: The recent rcinternent in Forest
Lawn Cemetery. Buffalo, y. y. Of The bones OF Red
Jacket and four contemporary chiefs Of the Six Nations
recalls an incident I'm the life OF Red Jacket that may he
of interest to many Of the readers of thu TRIBUNE Dur
inc ,be frat year of the War of the Rebellion, While was
serving as chaplain OF General james i. otcedmahs
regiment. VIC were cncampcd at Lebanon, NY bn'l-
ness compelled me visit Danyic the home OF the rev
DR. Robert j. Breckenridge When reached DauVHe
was surprised 10 find Or Breckenridge waiting for me-
and he extended cordial invitation tohc his guest
reardcd It rs no ordinary privilege 70 'pcnda few DAYS
in the company of a who's, talents, standing ana
wiihal sterling patriotism had maize nm most con-
snicuous figure in the state well rs the church lie
seemed last then have plenty oi leisure time FOR con
vcrsatOn and was apparently in ono OF ms h"ppl''t
moods His dcucations of the characters of prominent
men were exceedingly interesting. In speaking OF hiS
brother John he de,cribsd him ~ county bt quiet
cnltrcd transformations Irvine, OF peace. and able
do his best when excited bnt helpless as chd
when confronted by sudden trouble Allow me to state
as nearly possible in his own words ~ incident IN his
brothers experience with Ped Jacket
Probably the greatest Joke" said the OLD
nntriot preacher that ever practiscd on
Christian minister by heather was mat
perperatod by Red Jacket on my brother Johh ana ye
II was not intended for joke. because an Indian never
Jokes Ny brother then pastor of church III Batl-
NOR. NV broher-in-law. General Porter was living
at Buffalo and employed by the Government 70 transact
business with the Indians of the SIX Nations hcd
Jacket OF the chiefs. then IN his PRIME ana re-
garled ~ the prominent aud influential OF All the
chiefs He was frequent visitor at my brothcrin-a~s
house and seemed take great pleasure in showing his
re.rd for General Porter and his family. As mark OF
esteem ho actually translated tine name of Porter INTO
the Indian Dialect. lt was something IKE ''"hchF
sento' Nv sister designated a 'Conclhlsientos
suaw lie had by means learned thai my brp'hcr
Holm was noted orator. AMI about to pay visit to
&. f.rt n any iplI-
in. his visit an opportunity might be afforded him 10
prrach to the Indians. The desire was made knownto
Red Jacket who was delighted with the idea of hearing
an address the Indians by 50 distinguished speaker
II aan at once make the necessary preparations
In order to carry his ideas he notified ali the In
dians and secured the cooperation of the various cmfi'
Aday was appointed, and the red men were present IN
great numbers The chiefs beaded hs Red JaeAet
made an imposing appearance They were painted IN
the richest colorg and decorated with the most snowy
feathers. this great occasion they lost All Their
knowledge of English. ard spoke only through the In
torpeer Red jacket aud many others could on all ol'
ny occasions speak very gool English. bat on hi7 day
they discarded our tongue. IL great event for Rcd
Jacket and his associates ana they made the most ~ H.
An immense congregation assembled. tn" Indians
listened with profound attention to the remarks Of my
brother which chen duly translated into the ndian
lan.uagr The speech was simple statement of me
pln uf salvation hut the terms used were sWed 1 tue
capacity oi the auditors. Reference was male ~ me
gfrN pirit who had created the world ani va mhoht
tsut4 and bcstnwr them the aritrst uf blessing hut
they appreciated not their herfivtnr and conducted
thonaritpa badly that II became necps-arv Tor M"
trrni spirit tn condemn the tn place W punish
mrut whn4p horrors were nics,iiahlr. Vet such wa
lie Kindness ur the guilty people that We nfiervar a"nt
Ills uniN to- visit the Earth with the design NJ bring
inu thrn hack ~ uhrlicnrp hut all thpan piuta wuin
ht,nne The, Heitrd the sun and tnuk llis lite, hut
lie tusr itun the dead aud ascrrdcd tu the Great tiih
and hurAtp Ito went lit ptnharl that ell thnso VIA
hrlir, rt ~ itim and tnlowri nm should hn With m
in the land uf paaoo hut Tie warmed nHr Whn ittsod To-
fulnw thu that thrii place wnuld n'h hrtA lake,
Tho sprhher un doubt lt that hr had really preached
q Ou-rr srrmon to tho ndidnH, lhi7 Wha nun ant
faithful, trtuAatod aud Tho pfeachot Was about to-
pt0inuuoe tho hunrtirtun, whrn 81 his hutfur ltcd
Jacket arose. aud IA substance Hrid
." In common with the chrfs ~ the SIX Nations,
had locked forward with much interest 10 thiH daNs
lnrotne. | had heard OF tho f,.nt Ot tonchusltntOa
suuaW brother orator, and We all had reason 10
something but, to Our surprise his talk u
simply that which have heard again and a-ain
that they all persist in repeating the story of Their shame
The white have often charged the red men with cru
city, defy them in all the history Of our people 10
bring Instance that l. equal In cruelty o. the murder
OF The ihc Great spirit They deserve the sevcrr-t
punishment, and the whole of whites ought 10 lie
unsigned 10 the hot place described by COnchusiontos
sguaWs brother We are thankful that with this crime
or crimes the red had nothing 10 do We feel satisfied
with the religion OF fathers and viii continue to
worship the Great spirit IN way-untll He
nj Ia make eimi.ar Visit To the red should His
ron become tn"arnate among viii pledge ourselves
that He shall receive far different treatment from
given Him 10y the white men,"
Icihas no man, IN preaching the Gospel ever made
greater fdurc IN reaching the hearts and minds 81 his
auditors than did the Just aud good DR. John Breck-
enrldee on the occasion referred To.
EDWIN b. RAFFENsPEEGER.
lft5.cy, Pt1gi., Nov. Z, 1884