Apache People By The Invading White Man example essay topic

Honesty Abused The Native American oratories took two different, straightforward approaches to communicate with the European settlers, both of which were responded to with the indignity of broken promises and blatant lies. The situations that led up to these speeches began with the Indian tribes welcoming the white people, much in the same way, as they would have fellow tribes. Their original intent seemed to manifest from friendship and respect. The two oratories which are examples of this took very different approaches in the their attempt to coexist with the foreigners. The health and future of their people and lands are the common issues addressed within in each example. The first example of these powerful oratories is a speech given by Cochise, a Chiricahua Apache leader of the southwest.

I Am Alone, as recreated by Brigadier General Henry Stuart Terrill in his address to the New York Society of the Order of the Founders and Patriots; A Vanquished Race of Aboriginal Founders, focuses on the grave injustices brought upon the Apache people by the invading white man. In the speech Cochise states, "At last in my youth came the white man, your people. Under the counsels of my grandfather, who had for a long time been the head of the Apaches, they were received with friendship. [... ] I received favors from your people and did all that I could in return and we all lived in peace. At last your soldiers did me a great wrong, and I and my whole people went to war with them".

(461) These statements direct the fault of the broken peace between the Apaches and the settlers at the settlers themselves. Cochise then uses a guilt mechanism in his words, "the great people that welcomed you with acts of kindness to this land are but a feeble band that fly before your solders [... ] and must all perish if this war continues. I have come to you, not from any love for you [... ], but as a conquered chief, to try to save alive the few people that still remain to me". (461,462) Throughout his speech Cochise does not come across as enraged or vengeful. He maintains a strong demeanor, representative of a proud history. The intent of his words are to inspire pity, in hopes it will motivate the white leaders to spare the few remaining members of his people.

Not that he himself felt pitiful but he realized he was now at the mercy of those who had commandeered his lands. In his closing statements he said that if the white men were unwilling to assist him he would do his best to care for his people with the minimal resources that were still available to him. This closing sentiment depicted the strength remaining in him as well as the expectation that his words were falling on deaf ears. Charlot, the chief of the Kalispell band of the Flathead Indians took an alternative approach to the dilemma involving the ever-advancing whites in power.

In the speech, He Has Filled Graves With Our Bones, where he addresses the issue of a taxation that was being pushed upon them, Charlot's tone was that of outrage and disgust, and justly so. In his opening statement Charlot says, "Yes, my people the white man wants us to pay him. [... ] pay him for our own- for things we have from our God and our forefathers; for things he never owned and never gave us". (463) He goes on to speak of the atrocities committed against the Flathead people. He specifically mentions murder and thievery. Charlot then makes many bold and emotionally charged statements regarding the invaders, one of the most poignant being", To take and to lie should be burnt on his forehead, as he burns the sides of my stolen horses".

(463) Just as Cochise spoke of broken promises, so does Charlot. He states, "in the name of his own Chief, promise us what he promised- to give what he has not given; to do what he knew he would never do. [... ] A roving skulk, first; a natural liar, next; and withal, a murderer, a tyrant". (464) To contrast what Charlot sees as a vile, vicious people he goes on to speak of the kindness of his own people, the charity they have afforded the white invaders which was returned by yet more treachery.

The overall tone, as this author said before, is that of bitter outrage. It is obvious that he felt his people had been forced to compromise too much already and he would do everything in his power to stop this latest injustice. These examples of Native American Oratory show two different approaches to the arduous task of trying to compromise with the greedy territorial spirit of the European settlers and American pioneers. At every opportunity the Indians were lied to and their people and land were put to ruin. These acts were disgraceful and undignified, especially when viewed from the perspective of the Native American value system; a system built upon pride and respect for one another as well as for nature.