The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-03-12


Polynesian race. one can but hope thai
the possession Of this volume will stimu
late other and entirely similar records
Father dc smet and the Indian.
In four comely Volumes The Life, letter.
aHd Trdreis 81 rather D. Smst among The
North American Indians, edited by HIRAM
MARTiN CH1TtSpES, | s, A. and ALBERT
TALBOT RICHARDSON CFrancis p Harper
students OF American history find now pre-
scented for the first time in worthy form. an
adequate record OF tho life and work u a
we'll deserving pioneer in the great enter
PRISE of exploring and making known the
northwest territory lying between longitude
/ 81 degrees and the Pacific Ocean, For nearly
half century, lnwearied amid manifold
/ difficulties and undaunted In the presence
/ Of almost incessnnt perils. Father Pierre
Jean De Smet. $ j.. patiently continued
his abors as the foremost herald OF the
Roman Catholic faith among the various
Indian tribes then occupying the plains and
mountains of that vast region to al of whom
he early became known as the black ROBBED
friend OF the red man. Though he ceased
from his long continued abors nearly a
generation ago, his success a. a mission
AIRY i stu sufficiently certified by the eX-
istence to-day OF numerous missions organ
lied by HIM throughout the wide and diversi-
fed region that he 80 long traversed In his
many exploring tours when white guides
could NOT be had he never hestated to in
trust himself 10 the care OF native guides
though strangers; and scarcely once did he
have occasion 20 regret such confidence
In this conduct lies in large measure the
real secret OF his great -uct ess in his two
fold task rs an explorer and as a missionary
To an unusual degree he had the quality
Of awakening the kindly interest and
winning the confidence Of the habiually
suspicious or reserved Indians His nature
and manners were. IN this respect. pre-
eminently childlike He trusted them
and they perforce trusted him His con-
versation and address were also winning
With whatever tribe he CHANGED to be cast
he at once sought TO identify himself with its
members. their interests and welfare became
at once his study. that he might thereby
understand them better become more use
ful 10 them, pom the hunt ut feast or in
council. laboring or at leisure. he made their
every thought and effort from day TO day "A
theme Of constant reflection with the hope
that by suggestion aud by example he
might enkindle within them, unbeknown 10
themselves the desire and endeavor for
better ways Of living. To this end he sought
daily TO know them more fully and init
matey. Above all lie desired to under
stand fully the mental and moral traits Of
the Indians. natural luguist he readily
gained sufficient insight into the nature and
infections OF their dialects 10 become in
some degree familiar with the character
and scope Of their thoughts their hopes
motives aud beliefs. Discovering thus
more OF their real nature, he knew better
just how to appreciate their needs and
capabilities, how to come into truer sym
PATTY with them and how to approach
them more effectively by suggestion 10y
counsel or by personal service Living thus
directly with them as he always sought to
do, IT j. the less cause for surprise that the
Indians became 20 friendly TO him and so
implicitly trusted him.
That such relations existed Is. il we re-
call the conditions already subsisting be-
tween the Indians and the whites ample /
cause for surprise. The natives Of the I
entire region irayersed by the father had
long since become deeply iInbued with the I.
belief that the white man. the LONG knite. /
lfBdlAltN tItll NlllN hh an bbhldtlfs 10 he 7
displaced IN the most expeditions manner
possible IN order that he might himself the I
sooner take possession Of the entire do ,
main However sedulously this purpose
was In word disguised his uniform manner
OF conduct served none the less TO force .
the untoward truth only too plainly upon |
them It il the greater cause for wonder
therefore that De Smet so early acquired /
and so long maintained an intimate and .
confidential position with the various tribes
Though he was unable 10 avert. or perhaps
appreciably TO delay the working out Of
the white mans schemes, he certainly did
much. at different times. to prevent open
hostilties and 70 mitigate mutual animosi-
ties between the two races. as well as be-
tween different tribes. His honorable at
titude toward them the Indians never failed
to recognize; through life he continued
to be their consistent friend and helper
A vas BETTING, the editors have pref
7ced the work with an excellent sketch Of
the life Of the author pages e-lt6 Vol. H..
Born at Termonde, Belgium. Jan 30 1901.
Pierre Jean De Smet. after an elementary
training at home. studied at the Seminary
# Nalines TIL his twenty first year Coming
At Tint lime under the influence OF Father
'hurles NernckN, a fellow oountrymHn
hen missionary in the United States
ne with five fellow students volunteered to
company the father on his return 10
America. To accomplish the voyage they
we're obliged to pawn their personal effects
The qualities that later distinguished De
Smet had even then become noticeable.
ie was also endowed with an excellent
,hysique, Of great strength and enduran nee
4 voyage Of forty days brought them 10
thence they proceeded TO
Baltimore. and soon after entered the Jesuit
'ovItiate al Nhitemarsh near Washington.
BEFORE completing two years, with eleven
lthcrs he was transferred 10 the novitiate Of
'lorissant near 81. Louis. The journey. 50
ar as Wheeling. " Va was made on
DOT; thence 10y hatboat down the Ohio and
~ the Mississippi 10 ST. Louis. The no
ltiate Of Florissant consisted then Of a