It's setting was a cold December day in 1853. Over 1000 Indians had gathered to hear the speech of Chief Seattle of the Suquamish/Duwamish people. The new governor of Washington was ariiving that day and the fate of the Whulge (Puget Sound)was in his hands.Seattle had avoided war with the white man and now in his thoughtful way, he would give a speech that would be revered for the ages. THe version reproduced here is the version transcribed by Dr, Henry Smith as he sat on the shores of the Whulge, listening to Seattle speak.
Yonder sky that has wept tears of compassion upon my people foe centuries untold, and which to us appears changeless and eternal, may change. Today is fair. Tomorrow it may be overcast. My words are like the stars that never change. Whatever Seattle says, the Great Chief at Washingto can rely upon with as much certainty as he can upon the return of the sun or the seasons. The Whote Chief (Govorner Stevens) says that the Big Chief at Washington sends us greetings of friendship and goodwill. This is kind of him, for we know he has little need of our friendship in return. His people are many. They are like the grass that covers vast praries. My people are few. They resemble the scattered trees of a storm swept plain. The Great Chief sends us word that he wishes to buy our lands, but is willing to allow us enough to live comfortably. This indeed appears just, even generous, for the red man no longer has rights the he need respect. And the offer may be wise also, as we are no longer in need of an extensive country.
There was a time when our people coveredthe land as the waves of a wind-ruffled sea cover its shellpaved floor. But that time long since passed away with the greatness of tribes that are now but a mournful memory. I will not dwell upon, nor mourn over, our untimely decay, nor reproach my white brothers with hastening it, as we too have been somewhat to blame. Youth is impulsive. When our young men grow angry at some real or imaginary wrong and disfigure their faces with black paint, it denotes that their hearts are black, and that they aare often cruel and relentless, and our old men and old women are often unable to restrain them. Thus it has ever been. Thus it was when the whiteman first began to push our forefathers westward. But let us hope that the hotilities between us may never returen. We have everything to lose and nothing to gain. Revenge by young men is considered gain, even at the cost of their own lives. But old men who stay at home in times of war, and mothers who have sons to lose, know better. Our good father at Washington - for I presume he is now our father as wellas yours, since King George has moved his boundaries further north-our great and good father I say, sends us word that if we do as he desires, he will protect us. His brave warriors will be to us a bristling wall of strength, and his wonderful shipsof war will fill our harbor so that our ancient enemies far to the northward-the Haidas and Tshimshian-will cease to frighten our women, childre and old men. Then in reality he will be our father and we his childrem. But can that ever be? Your God is not our God.Your God loves your people and hates mine.He folds His strong protecting arms lovinglyabout the white man and leads him by the hand as a father leads an infant son. But He has forsaken His red children-if they are really His. Our God, the Great Spirit, seems also to have forsaken us. Your God makes your peoplle wax strong every day. Soon they will fill all thw land |
