Western Kansas world., 1893-07-01

Uuly CdIhCu.
Meeker however was religious fam
attic. He was bigoted, superstitious and
narrow. Without extended experience
with men and affairs and his views were
necessarily contracted. Without high
ideals, without love of justice, he had
absolutely no conception of individual
rights. His idea of liberty embodied
the right to omake others do as he wanted
them to do. Doubtless his intentions
were good, but the remark of Solomon,
''That the floor of Hades is inlaid with
good Intentions" is pertinent at this
moment.
Meeker, in his childishness, assumed
that he was placed upon the earth for a
mission. This is not self evident. To
assume this is to assume that there is a
personal material God that places
human beings and other objects here
and there over the universe for partlcu-
lar purposes, the same as we manipulate
characters on the chess board. This
may be, but there are too many compli-
cations entering into the consideration
of the problem to consider it self evident.
All we are reasonably sure of is that we
are on earth and that each individual
seeks to crafty his desires with the
least possible exertion. Just what we
are here for is an unsolved enigma.
Meeker next erred in assuming as a
matter of fact that civilization was
superior to barbarism. This is not self
evident. The tendency of civilization is
to cultivate reason at the loss and
degeneracy of instinct. 1t is not self
evident at least that civilization enables
man to crafty his natural and legi-
innate desires with less eXertion than
he can in a state of barbarism.
The barbarians that have not been
contaminated by contact with civiliza-
ton such as the Kaffirs of Africa ap-
proach much nearer the ideal concept
of man from physical standpoint than
the average product of our civilization.
The Indians considered all this and
more. Some of them had been east to
Washington and other large cities and
had doubtless observed the poverty and
wretchedness there and they returned
fully convinced that the little tepee, by
the roaring torrent, by the shade of
sweet scented pines and cedars, were
better than the homes of white men.
The man that has become accustomed
to his environment seldom cares to
change entirely out of that sphere, We
do not care to enter barbarism and bar
barians do not care to enter civilization.
And so'the Indians, with little idea of
humor, really smiled at Meeker's argu-
ment to do as he did. This exasperated
the intolerant Meeker and he character
lied them as lazy because they would
not cultivate and harvest crops. The
Indianswere sufficiently sensitive to be
hurt by this accusation. The lawyer,
the doctor, the pedagogue, the merchant
the minister, each labor diligently at
their chosen professions but seldom will
they engage in common manual toll
The Indian is by instinct and training a
hunter For days and weeks he will
pursue the chase, enduring fatigue that
seems almost superhuman, but he will
not engage in occupations he considers
beneath him any more than will the
soldier ct al.
These others may work before they
will starve but that is because they fea1
death and not from any commendable
motive. The Indian prefers death tc
what he considers degradation.
Meeker thought the Indians low be-
cause the women worked while the men
sat around the fire and rehearsed their
deeds of prowess and adventure.
True, the Indian women have certain
domestic duties to perform. They clean
the game and tend the little details OF
the camp life etc.
Farmers wives also have certain dut-
les to perform. Many are up at four
and five a. m. and seldom know what
moments rest is till late that night,
and repeat this day by day, month by
month and year by year, till finally the
grave receives them and they go to en-
an indefnate period of rest In other
walks of life women have what is called
social duties, etc. Take it all in all the
complicated duties of white women are
more onerous than those in savage life.
The average squaw if fully conversant
with the entire situation, would not
exchange her lot for that Of the white
woman.
Instinct guides the savage in sort of
respectful and defferential treatment of
the mother of his children and in whom
lie the future power of the tribe.
1t is questionable if on the whole,
white women are treated better than
savage women.
l have time and again seen Indian
bucks carrying their young children with
tenderness and pride that could not be