The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-11-02
AN AMERICAN EMPEROR.
BY A. cAFFEE.


 eious brave eloquent. witty, and com paratively temperate, and like Logan nc was the friend of the white man." Old Pusmataha inspires a sentimental admir- alton in the bosom of every Alabama boy, and why should he not7 For, as Colonel Brewer has portrayed him, he was pos sessed of those admirable traits that ex- cite admiration to the very limit Of boy ish sentiment. But, to Powhattan, ne was one to many; for the Indian emperor for whom vast empire of numerous tribes was named. combined with daunt- less courage and flowing eloquence Of Te- cumseh and the half-blood Weatherford the cunning and sagacity of Black Hawk and Sitting Bull, the humanity of Logan and Pushmataha. and the almost pro- phetic insight into human character which none of them possessed. The boundless benevolence with which he first received the white man must ever point his out as the Attieus of his native for ests, and later events. even arter the thirst for blood had grown almost beyond control among his braves, must now and then present him in the sterner aspect or Aristides the Just
 As we view the aspect of affairs as they existed at the earliest era of white civili- zation in Virginia, confronted by the J tells us 1t was a contest nor so unequal as 1t appeared on it's surface. On both sides from the moment that the designs of the white man and their dangers to the red man became apparent, it was re- solved Into a game of skill. The proud, sagacious Caucasian exercised the re- fined artifces of civilization, while the willy red diplomat of the forest brought into play all these faculties sharpened by freedom of exercise ana unimpared by luxury.
 Powhattan had time and again treated his white brother with the prIncefy gener- osity of a powerful prince. When they asked for corn. it was given in abund- ance; when they suffered in sickness, the red brother seemed also to surrer. and when one encroachment on their lands followed another, and the powerful Abor- fgnee continued his generosity we who read those annals at this day, must sus- pect that the chieftain's generous acts were sometimes tinctured with the se- verity of sarcasm and irony.
 The aged Powhattan died in 1618-the powerful emperor of Virginia Indian tribes. In the cant of civilization he Is branded with the epithets tyranr and bar barian. But his title to greatness, aY- though his opportunities were fewer, Is as fair and as full as that of KowIi Khan or Tamerlane, and others whom history has immortalized as conquerers; while the proofs of tyrany are by no means so clear and unequivocal. Born to slender patrimony, as we learn from all the nu- merous sources in the archives at Raleigh and Richmond, Powhattan, in the midst of numerous tribes, more subtle than the arabs of the desert, and whose independ- ence spurned the barest shadow of re- straint he contrived, by his valor and address, to unite them into one firm and indissoluble union under his power and authority, giving his name to this forest born empire, which his wisdom had erect- ed, and which fiourished under his au- spices and direction, and his marvellous and many-sided power.
 As a warrior, bold, ski1lful, enterprising, he was confessedly without rival or com petitor-inspiring with respect or terror. even the formidable enemies who darer- to make head against his encroachemtns. The powerful confederacy of the Manolxin or Manahoacks, and the more distant tribes of the lakes heard the name of Powhattan with uneasiness and alarm.
 At the coming of the white man, he had already reachd three score years, and was enjoying in the bosom Of his family the fruits of his long and glorious exer- tions in arms, and in the subtle field Of diplomacy. The spectacle Of men who came from beyond the sea In floating
 
 lghtnings, could not fail to strike him solemnly and with prophetic and porten- tous alarm, as well as by it's grandeur and novelty. The purposes of the singu- disappearing strangers seemed at first glance to be friendly; and he received them with that princely courtesy, so na- tural to this forest-born prince of nature But the subtlety of that savage mind quickly developed the motives and fore saw the consequence of this interruptin of the even tenor of his advanced life. He looked with keen regret upon these direful signs, and the warrior stood for a moment amazed, but the fires of youth, long banked,-again leaped to flame The warrior remembered with affection the tranquil days he had passed and but for this strange race who wanted his lands, he might live on in peace. He was aware of the superiority Of his new enc my in their machines and instruments of battle; as well as their discipline and ex- perience. But those cold calculations like the mist in the joyous sun shine before the deep sense of honor and independence ;-age could not chill the rapture of strife;-the ardor in his heroic bosom.
 In the private circle of his family, who appears to greater advantage than Pow haitian? What affection for his brothers throughout life, how delicate and consid- crate his regard for his children; what moderation and pity he manifested for Captain Smith, when subdued by the tears of Pocahontas, and touched per haps with compassion for the bravery and misfortune of the captive, he con scented to spare his life.
 And too, Powhattan comes before us, without any of those abasing circum- stances, which in the eye of the human respect diminish the lustre of reputation History records no violence offered his person, no insulting language used in his presence. Opechancanough had been dragged by the hair at the head of hum