BLACK
HAWK AND HIS PARTY.---The curiosity that has been excited, and the
attentions paid
to the red emperor of a western tribe of aborigines, seem to have awakened
the jealousy and ire of those who palter for another military Chieftain.
They are evidently apprehensive that some portion of the incense and
idolatry
offered to their idol, may be neutralized or withdrawn from the measure
of homage which they consider as due to another "lion of the day".
Hence, it is that an evening paper, duly appreciated for the interestedness
of its political devotion, deprecates the avidity with which "the
savage Black Hawk"---"the wretched Indian"---is noticed
and caressed. This would be the less remarkable, were not this grave rebuke
immediately preceded by an elaborate defence of fulsome adulation upon
the other Chieftain, who, in his tour, immediately preceded "the
savage Black Hawk." In reference to that individual, the paper referred
to felt authorized to compare the reception of Andrew Jackson to that
of our Saviour in the land of Gennesaret. In order to give force to the
allusion, it borrowed and applied to the former the words of the evangelist,
and represented the people of new York as being so anxious to pay divine
honors to him, and express their devotional faith in his sanctity and
power, as to be desired "to touch even the hem of his garments."
And who is the man thus apotheosized? He is the very man who expressed
the inhuman hope, and exulted in the prospect that in the course of a
few days, a whole people would be--not subdued--but EXTERMINATED!!! And
this too, is the man who is designated as an object of "veneration,"
and an "excellent and inflexible patriot!"---whilst the other
having been driven to madness and desperation by injustice, is stigmatized
as the "savage Black Hawk." Posterity will judge, when the influences
of party have ceased, and the factitious distinctions of color and association---of
tribe, and of race, have passed away---on which side lies the desirable
balance of posthumous renown---on that of the "wretched Indian"---or
of his exterminating Pursuer.
But without further notice of the railings of others, we advert to passing
occurrences that relate to this "old nobleman of nature."
It is known that artists of eminence have taken portraits of Black Hawk,
his Son, and the Prophet. Mr. Ford, Mr. Sully, and several others, have
produced, it is said, very striking likenesses of the Chief….
A favorable specimen of aboriginal eloquence is presented in the following
address of Black Hawk to Col. Eustis, the officer in command at Fort Monroe,
and in the subsequent colloquy between them, just before their departure
for the North, on their way to their homes.---It is also interesting,
as it indicates the pacific feelings now entertained by the Indian Chiefs,
and which we hope no further encroachment upon their rights will rouse
into hostile action. That Col. Eustis, by his kindness and attention,
had won the personal friendship and respect of the Chieftain, is also
evident from the tone and spirit of the address:---
"Brother--I have come on my own part and in behalf of my companions
ot bid you farewell. Our Great Father has been pleased to permit us to
return to our hunting grounds. We have burned the tomahawk, and the sound
of the rifle will hereafter only bring death to the deer and buffalo.
Brother--You have treated the red men very kindly; your squaws have made
them presents and you have given me plenty to eat and drink. The memory
of your friendship will remain till the Great Spirit says it is time for
Black Hawk to sing his death song.
Brother--Your houses are as numerous as the leaves on the trees, and your
young warriors like the sands upon the shore of the big lake which rolls
before us. The red man has but few houses and few warriors, but the red
man has a heart which throbs as warmly as the heart of his white brother.
Brother--The Great Spirit has given us our hunting grounds, and the skin
of the deer which we kill there is his favorite, for its color is white,
and that is the emblem of peace.
This hunting dress and the feathers of the eagle are white. Accept them,
my brother. I have given one like this to the White Otter. Accept it
as
a memorial of Black hawk. When he is far away, this will serve to remind
you of him. May the Great Spirit bless you and your children. Farewell."
A few words more were spoken on either side, but they were unimportant,
and consisted merely of friendly wishes and congratulations. Before he
departed, he received from the Colonel's lady, who was present at the
interview, with several friends, a splendid bead bag, with which he appeared
very much pleased, and said he would carry it safely to his squaw, who
would be delighted to receive it.
On his visit to Philadelphia he witnessed the vast multitude who thronged
the streets to gaze at Gen. Jackson. The Intelligencer of that city says
that he and his friends leaned upon the window, and looked down upon the
dense mass below with interest, but not with amazement. The crowd, which
had increased to a tremendous extent gazed upon the singular array at
the windows with silent curiosity, and, at length, Black hawk, observing
this, signified his desire to make a speech.
"Black Hawk," said the old warrior, "once thought he could
conquer the whites. His heart grew bitter and his hand strong. He unburied
the tomahawk and he led his people to fight. He fought hard. He was no
coward. He spilled much blood. But the white men were mighty. They were
many as the leaves of the forest and Black Hawk and his people faded.
He was sorry that the tomahawk had been raised. He had been a prisoner.
He saw the strength of the white men. They were very many. The Indians
are but few. They are not cowards---they are brave---but they are few.
He was sorry that they had gone to war. While the Great Spirit above (and
he pointed on high) kept his heart as it now was, he would be the friend
of the white man. He would tell them they were as the leaves of the forest---very
many---very strong---and he would fight no more. Black Hawk is the white
man's friend."
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