T IE
CHEMA W A AMERICAN
21
having been devastated by war, we are producing a surplus of the
world’s necessities which will find new markets.
Human nature is much the same as we expect it was 10,000 years ago.
In some ways the year 1916 may not achieve a great deal. For in
stance, it will effect l.ttle change in human nature as a whole, even
though many of us will take a personal pride in our belief that we are
too good for this world—almost, but not quite, too good to live! It is
a fine thing for the pe< pie of earth that they think themselves good, for
it helps to keep them from being worse than they are. Let us note, if
we can, a little change in our natures during 1916, and try and help
to make that change one of betterment.
T H E IN D IA N IN A R T
The genuine down-easter, the Yankee, has long been credited with
ingenuity in meeting unusual and unexpected conditions. As a rule
he has taken high rank as a resourceful individual—as an inventor and
producer. In certain peoples are to lx? found traits of character which
continue generation after generation and appear to gain in strength
with each succeeding generation.
As a distinctive art the Indian people possess that which is inimitable.
The native work of these people represents centuries of labor along ar
tistic lines. In their weaving and beadwork there is elegance of pro
portion and design, while there is something about the color scheme,
the contrasting of colors, which is unusually pleasing to the eye and
which is their’s alone. The same may be said of their pottery and of
their work as silversmiths.
In another field of art we are certain of their native strength, and
that is music. We know of no people as a race who possess, person for
person, higher natural musical gifts. The abundance of musical talent
among them will astonish any musician who will take the pains to in
vestigate.
In drawing, too, they excel. Few there are even among the children
who cannot make a most creditable showing, given paper and pencil.
It is certain that in almost anything of any art nature they have talents
of the highest order. As time passes on greater importance will be at
tached to their native work, no matter what the line is. In all serious
ness we say that encouragement should be given these workers, that
their arts may be perpetuated.