The white man's ways were good for the
white man; but in his view they would spoil the Indian. He believed that
the peculiar characteristics of the Indian, were conferred on him by the
Great Spirit for a wise purpose, and for his good, they needed to be
maintained. Hence all the ancient habits of his people, he earnestly
strove to preserve, and had it been in his power, he would have built a
wall like the Chinese, to keep his people from meeting with, and being
contaminated by the whites. He would frown contempt on the Indian, who
used a stool or chair in his cabin, and no king in his palace, ever sat
more proudly, or with greater dignity on his throne, than did Red Jacket
on his bear-skin in his humble dwelling.
We can but admire in this, his independence of character; and when we
reflect upon his conduct as influenced by the conviction, that such a
course was essential for the good of his people, we may view it as
meriting the praise of philanthrophy. Had he been as firm in resisting
every enticement of the whites, he would have maintained a greater
consistency, and himself attained a higher degree of excellence.
Red Jacket was equally opposed to the introduction of Christianity among
his people. He looked upon the religion of the white man, with the same
feeling of suspicion and distrust as everything else coming from that
source. He had no evidence from experience, of the benefits that would
arise to them from its introduction among them.
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