Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-03-12
COOPER'S INDIAN AND THE REAL
SAVAGE.

COOPER'S INDIAN AND THE REAL
SAVAGE.
1t Is difficult to be believed, although
the testimony is overwhelming to that
eject mat the American Indian is Cor
was) the incarnation of unmitigated
cruelty, and that 1.-The only good In
dian, is dead Indian" Fcnimorc
cooper has been sternly condemned by
some critics, as he has been derisively
Knocked by others, for creating in his
novels few fictitious Indians. with
some noble traits. that never could
nave existed except in his imagination.
The real Indian is said TO delight in
cruelty ana trcaehery. ana to cxult and
take pride in them the more. the fur
thcr they can be practiced. A recent
writer OF no little vogue, in summing
up the character of the American In.
dian, says that one in the acutest pain
of death and thirst. will die in ecstacies
of joy if he can only stab fatally the
"palc-face" who gives him drink Of
water.
For all that. there is something TO be
said. that ought to be said, not only for
the Indian. but for Cooper. who did not
write in ignorance of the Indian, who
was familiar acquaintance of his
early life and his patcrnal home. In
fact. in common talk and relation.
Coopcr's Indians are far more misrep-
resented than he misrepresents the real
Indian, If he does SO at ALL He intro
duces us to Il few friendly" nborigincs.
who are brave, faithful, self-sacrifcing
ana Kind to the white personages of the
novels. Yet he represents these as "ac-
quired" traits, very limited as to place.
time. circumstance and person, in
their exercise; ana he frankly conrcsses
that outside of the narrow circle OF
friendship and obligation toward Il few
whites, they have all the vices and
atrocities OF disposition and habit as
cribed generally to the Indian. and he
even makes his friendly" Indians Drac-
ticc these toward their enemies and de-
TEND them as according TO Indian ma
ture.' Let any doubter on this point re-
read carefully the Leather Stocking So
ries of novels, and he Will see tina, the
public have made his Friendly" In
oA"iH i''i btttti lilutl cooper himself
has, and lent them heroic ana roman
tic halo he never gave them, nor in
tended them to have
Moreover. there is 10 writer who as
cribcs worse character or conduct to the
Indian than Cooper does to the hos
tiles" in his stories. Their trcachcry.
cruelty, and lust for murder ana mas
sacrc are painted in the strongest
cclors. and he gives instances of these
that no Indian hater has ever surpassed
in his prcjudiced narratives of the dia
bolical nature of The Apaches. Pawnccs
and Comanches. If an Intelligent read
or. with ordinary powers of discrimlna-
ton, Will study the Indian rs Cooper
draws him. he Will find him the most
cruel and trcacherous of human beings.
delishting in murder for its own sake:
yet, after all. still capable OF feeling
some obligation for Kindness, in linn
tied way. within narrow bounds,-as
wild animals (evcn tigers. when not
furious with wrath or hunger) exhibit
some gratitude to their bencfactors. If
he looks for an Indian paragon OF all
s
pages. he will not find him there
There is yet something to be said
for the Indian: for would the white
man. OF the best Anglo Saxon tyne, be
Il modes of all the Christian virtues. If
he had been subjected to the treatment
accorded TO the American Nborinino
from the first discovery of America?
Cruel? Who had taught him mercy.
pity, kindness and generosity? Trcach-
crous? Had not every advantage been
taken of his ignorance. simplicity and
trust? 1t is agreed by the best authuri-
ties that ut first. the American Indians
were kind and hospitablc to the white
invaders. and put much confidence in
these apparently superior beings from
afar; but soon. almost Immediately in
deed. their kindness and confidence
We're met with cruel and treachcrous
requital; insomuch that the Indian was
forced to resort to the first law Of ma
ture, sef-defencc, TO hold his native
home and land and save his liberty and
live. He was robbed of his hunting
stripped OF all his POSSESSIONS cnslav-
ed: hunted and shot down like a wild
beast; rewards offered for his SCALP:
| and every conceivable wrong and out
rage were piled upon him.
If he became cruel treacherons and