The Washington herald., 1914-07-26
O. HOPE JONES
He Gives Free Lecture, but Takes Collection

date. We see this savage engaged in
a war dance when he might just as
well be employed in compiling a family
almanac. running a cider mill. or can
yassing for life insurance, but he 10
barred out by our want OF interest in his
welfare.
I'VE lay aside the picture of the war
dance and substitute another. My heart
aches every time I exhibit It. You sec
the picture of a squaw standing in front
of her wigwam. She is not beauty.
She is stout and short and without grace
and life holds nothing for her. Years
ago she was called Blue Bell and the
young men of her tribe raved over her
willowy form and her fawn-like glide.
Had the hand OF the white race been ex-
tended to her then what a difference II
would have made in her later years. In
stead Of hunting rabbits with club, she
would have been gliding about drawing
room. Instead OF wearing an army blan-
ket on an Indian reservation, she would
have draped and posed for a goddess be-
fore some great painter OF the East In
place Of gathering firewood and cooking
mule meat, she would have graced the
banquets in palaces and had counts and
dukes bowling at her feet. No helping
hand was extended and the Blue Bell
with the willowy form was left to ma
ture into a sawed-off squaw, who smokes
q pipe and whistles rag-time music.
ask the red-headed man on the end seat.
third row. how he would like to be an
Indian buck in old clothes, with nothing
TO do but lick his squaw in the morning,
kick his dogs in the afternoon, and cuss
his pappooses around after dark I ask
the woman with the frozen expression
over there by the post how she would
like to be a squaw in a wigwam-her feet
always cold, her heart always sad. and
consumptive cough ever warning her
of a cheap coffin and a shallow grave?
Our duty has been a plain one and yet
We have neglected IT. We have taught
the heather OF Africa how to eat mince
pie and We have taught the heather OF
China how to deyour ice cream, but we
have turned our backs on the Indians
under our feet and had no concern in
his welfare. l feel. to speak plainly on
this matter, I feel TO say TO the fat man
with the bald head and contented look
on his face that he has been derelict in
his duty and ought to be ashamed OF
himself
do not argue that IL IL now too late
to undo this great wrong-to make E~od
your neglect and indifference. I give you
another picture. II is that OF a pappoose
In forwarding the picture my artist for
got to mention the sex, but that makes
no difference. 1t Is a child growing up.
OHleSS We TedCn OUT our nandS ne VIII
grow up to be a buck Indian, with no am
bition beyond whooping for scalps and
trapping wolves. or a squaw whose life
will be devoted to tanning dear skins
and roasting prairie dogs.
My dear friends, I think can detect
looks Of sympathy on the faces before
me. think can see mental resolutions
to do your duty In future. My feelings
in the matter almost oblige me to an
nounce that another collection will be
taking up as a fitting close 10 the meet
ing. but prudence bids me not 10 overdo
good thing. In order TO prevent a stam-
pede, in which numbers of you might be
killed or injured. the collection will be
dispensed with, but as You depart for
your homes think the matter over seri-
ously and earnestly. The Indian wants
to be uplifted. He wants TO leave behind
him his wigwam. his tOmahawk and his
buckskin shirt. He waits for you. Re
fuse him your moral influence and he re-
mains as he is; extend your hand and it
won't take ten years before he will be
eating with fork. pulling wires at a ward
caucus and promoting trusts and syndi-
Gates for the benefit Of mankind"