Page:The History of the American Indians.djvu/440

 428 General Ofifervations on

life or property of any who obey the good laws of their country, they con- fider that the tranfgreffor ought to have his evil deeds retaliated upon him- felf in an equal manner. The Indians, therefore, have no fuch titles or perfons, as emperors, or kings, nor an appellative for fuch, in any of their dialefts. Their higheft title, either in military or civil life, fignifies only a Chieftain : they have no words to exprefs defpodc power, arbitrary kings, oppreiTed, or obedient fubjexfls ; neither can they form any other ideas of the former,, than of " bad war chieftains of a numerous family, who in- (laved the reft.'*" The power of their chiefs, is an empty found. They can only perfuade or diffuade the people, either by the force of good-na ture and clear reafoning r or colouring things, fo as to fuit their prevail ing pafilons. It is reputed merit alone, that gives them any titles of diftinflion above the meaneft of the people. If we conned with this their opinion of a theocracy, it does not promife well to the reputed eftablifh- ment of extenfive and puiflant Indian American empires. When any national affair is in debate, you may hear every father of a< family fpeaking in his houfe on the fubjecl, with rapid, bold language, and the utmoft freedom that a people can ufe. Their voices, to a man, have due weight in. every public affair, as it concerns their welfare alike. Every town is independent of another. Their own friendly compact continues the union. An obfti- Jiate war leader will fometimes commit afts of hoftility, or make peace for his own town, contrary to the good liking of the reft of the nation. But a few individuals are very cautious of commencing war on fmall occafions, without the general confent of the head men : for fhould it prove un~ fuccefsful, the greater part would be apt to punifh them as enemies,, becaufe they abufed their power, which they had only to do good to. the fociety. They are very deliberate in their councils, and never give an immediate anfwer to any meflage fent them by ftrangers, but fuffer fome nights firft to elapfe. They reafon in a very orderly manner, with much coolnefs and good-natured language, though they may dif fer widely in their opinions. Through refpeft to the filent audience, the fpeaker always addrelTes them in a (landing pofture. In this manner they proceed, till each of the head men hath given his opinion on the point in debate. Then they fit down together, and determine upon the affair. Not the leaft pafilonate expreflion is to be heard among them, and

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