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Oregon State Library
MAH 15 1918
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_, The Chemawa American
COLLECTION
P r i n t e d a t C h e m a w a , O re g o n , a n d D e v o te d t o t h e I n t e r e s t s o f I n d i a n E d u c a t io n
Vol. X X
W ed n esd ay , M arch 13, 1918
THE IN D IA N A N D THE C RISIS
No. 21
THE W A Y TO LOOK AT T H IN G S
It is easy to whine, to make a fuss, to complain
From Hampton, Va., comes a story of Indian loyal
when
the affairs of the world run counter to the way
ty of which the race may well feel proud, The article
one
may
imagine they should. But do matters really
is as follows:
Charles Roy Morsea, a Sioux of Rower Brule, S. D., get into the kind of a snarl we rebel against, or is the
who is in his third year of the Hampton Institute busi fault in us on account of the view we take of affairs
ness course, recently spoke before an audience of in general?
The wav we look at things is mighty important
1500 persons, including 400 members of the 372d In
when
summed up. If we should ^persist in seeing
fantry Regiment, which is now stationed at Camp
everything
in the worst light possible, then, so far as
Stuart, Newport News, Va., on “ The Indian a Cham
pion of Freedom.” His remarks were received with we are concerned, everything would really be pretty-
great enthusiasm by those who had assembled to cele bad. On the other hand, if we throw a little opti
brate the signing of Rincoln’s famous Emancipation mism into the “ seeing” of things, whatever we
gaze upon will look brighter and our thoughts will be
Proclamation. He said:
“ The Indian has always been a friend to the white better, purer, and nobler. Each and all of us create
man. During the period of starvation in 1609, friendly a world to suit ourselves, largely. In other words, if
Indians brought food to the Jamestown colony and, we take a sick view of affairs all the time we create for
from that time on, the races learned of each other and ourselves a sick world—really, we make the world and
selected the best ways of living. Royalty was estab the people thereof sick of us!
We are responsible agents in the matter of being
lished.
happy
andso-forth. We can see things as they are,
“ We read of the Indian fighting in the Revolution
ary War, the Civil War, and the Spanish-Améric an take them at their real value, be happy if we will; or
War. Gradually he approached the stage of an active we can see no good in anything, take nothing at its
citizen and today he can be found in almost every kind true worth, and in the end, as the result of our own
error in mental vision, niake ourselves most miserable.
of industry.
“ The Indian loves not only his country but he loves Come to look at this matter seriously, is it not ridic
and respects his countty’s government. He awaits the ulous the way we sometimes fix affairs up for our-
call of the American sons, the call of the native sons, selves?
In proof of our point in asserting that happiness
then he will answer, not with a war whoop, but w’ith a
Silemn, stern spirit, fighting that the world may have comes from within, we, each of us, can call to min'd
some-one whom we have known who was happy
liberty.
“ To the Stars and the Stripes, my father has been under most distressing circumstances. And we can
loyal, both in the past and the present. During the also recall instances where people who possessed
Spanish-American War he entered that great army wealth and lived in luxury were very unhappy.
Try to look on the bright side of things. It is
and did his part in Cuba and the Philippine Islands.
Today he is across the waters doing his bit, and there better for all of us to do so. In looking at things
are probably about five thousand of the red race over do not belittle the really great and noble things of
there fighting that the world may enjoy the brotherly
love that now exists all over our United States. My the world—the great works of genius of hand and
mother is in the Red Cross Service, thus leaving me brain—but keep them great in your mind. By and
at Hampton alone; but may my práyer be granted for the same reason keep the little things little. Do
not allow yourself to magnify and distort little things
tliat soon I will be able to do my duty by the flag.
“ Our country has only one flag—the Stars and into matters of consequence. If things are really
Stripes. It is the flag of freedom—the flag of free little make it your business to see that they continue
men. Ret us as citizens of this country give our small by thinking of them not at all, or if they are
bodies, our spirits, and our hearts, to the acts of all ever, given mental recognition, see that it is as little
things—very inconsequential.
that will make us true American citizens.”