the soul of the indian(尤安人之魂)-第4节
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blazed trail； through nature's galaxy of splendor to nature's God。 Silence；
love； reverence；this is the trinity of first lessons； and to these she later
adds generosity； courage； and chastity。
In the old days； our mothers were single…eyed to the trust imposed
upon them； and as a noted chief of our people was wont to say： 〃Men may
slay one another； but they can never overcome the woman； for in the
quietude of her lap lies the child！ You may destroy him once and again；
but he issues as often from that same gentle lapa gift of the Great Good
to the race； in which man is only an accomplice！〃
This wild mother has not only the experience of her mother and
grandmother； and the accepted rules of her people for a guide； but she
humbly seeks to learn a lesson from ants； bees； spiders； beavers； and
badgers。 She studies the family life of the birds； so exquisite in its
emotional intensity and its patient devotion； until she seems to feel the
universal mother…heart beating in her own breast。 In due time the child
takes of his own accord the attitude of prayer； and speaks reverently of the
Powers。 He thinks that he is a blood brother to all living creatures； and
the storm wind is to him a messenger of the 〃Great Mystery。〃
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THE SOUL OF THE INDIAN
At the age of about eight years； if he is a boy； she turns him over to his
father for more Spartan training。 If a girl； she is from this time much
under the guardianship of her grandmother； who is considered the most
dignified protector for the maiden。 Indeed； the distinctive work of both
grandparents is that of acquainting the youth with the national traditions
and beliefs。 It is reserved for them to repeat the time…hallowed tales with
dignity and authority； so as to lead him into his inheritance in the stored…up
wisdom and experience of the race。 The old are dedicated to the service
of the young； as their teachers and advisers； and the young in turn regard
them with love and reverence。
Our old age was in some respects the happiest period of life。
Advancing years brought with them much freedom； not only from the
burden of laborious and dangerous tasks； but from those restrictions of
custom and etiquette which were religiously observed by all others。 No
one who is at all acquainted with the Indian in his home can deny that we
are a polite people。 As a rule； the warrior who inspired the greatest terror
in the hearts of his enemies was a man of the most exemplary gentleness；
and almost feminine refinement； among his family and friends。 A soft；
low voice was considered an excellent thing in man； as well as in woman！
Indeed； the enforced intimacy of tent life would soon become intolerable；
were it not for these instinctive reserves and delicacies； this unfailing
respect for the established place and possessions of every other member of
the family circle； this habitual quiet； order； and decorum。
Our people； though capable of strong and durable feeling； were not
demonstrative in their affection at any time； least of all in the presence of
guests or strangers。 Only to the aged； who have journeyed far； and are in
a manner exempt from ordinary rules； are permitted some playful
familiarities with children and grandchildren； some plain speaking； even to
harshness and objurgation； from which the others must rigidly refrain。 In
short； the old men and women are privileged to say what they please and
how they please； without contradiction； while the hardships and bodily
infirmities that of necessity fall to their lot are softened so far as may be
by universal consideration and attention。
There was no religious ceremony connected with marriage among us；
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THE SOUL OF THE INDIAN
while on the other hand the relation between man and woman was
regarded as in itself mysterious and holy。 It appears that where marriage
is solemnized by the church and blessed by the priest； it may at the same
time be surrounded with customs and ideas of a frivolous； superficial； and
even prurient character。 We believed that two who love should be united
in secret； before the public acknowledgment of their union； and should
taste their apotheosis alone with nature。 The betrothal might or might not
be discussed and approved by the parents； but in either case it was
customary for the young pair to disappear into the wilderness； there to
pass some days or weeks in perfect seclusion and dual solitude； afterward
returning to the village as man and wife。 An exchange of presents and
entertainments between the two families usually followed； but the nuptial
blessing was given by the High Priest of God； the most reverend and holy
Nature。
The family was not only the social unit； but also the unit of
government。 The clan is nothing more than a larger family； with its
patriarchal chief as the natural head； and the union of several clans by
intermarriage and voluntary connection constitutes the tribe。 The very
name of our tribe； Dakota； means Allied People。 The remoter degrees of
kinship were fully recognized； and that not as a matter of form only： first
cousins were known as brothers and sisters； the name of 〃cousin〃
constituted a binding claim； and our rigid morality forbade marriage
between cousins in any known degree； or in other words within the clan。
The household proper consisted of a man with one or more wives and
their children； all of whom dwelt amicably together； often under one roof；
although some men of rank and position provided a separate lodge for
each wife。 There were； indeed； few plural marriages except among the
older and leading men； and plural wives were usually； though not
necessarily； sisters。 A marriage might honorably be dissolved for cause；
but there was very little infidelity or immorality； either open or secret。
It has been said that the position of woman is the test of civilization；
and that of our women was secure。 In them was vested our standard of
morals and the purity of our blood。 The wife did not take the name of
her husband nor enter his clan； and the children belonged to the clan of the
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THE SOUL OF THE INDIAN
mother。 All of the family property was held by her； descent was traced in
the maternal line； and the honor of the house was in her hands。 Modesty
was her chief adornment； hence the younger women were usually silent
and retiring： but a woman who had attained to ripeness of years and
wisdom； or who had displayed notable courage in some emergency； was
sometimes invited to a seat in the council。
Thus she ruled undisputed within her own domain； and was to us a
tower of moral and spiritual strength； until the coming of the border white
man； the soldier and trader； who with strong drink overthrew the honor of
the man； and through his power over a worthless husband purchased the
virtue of his wife or his daughter。 When she fell； the whole race fell with
her。
Before this calamity came upon us； you could not find anywhere a
happier home than that created by the Indian woman。 There was nothing
of the artificial about her person； and very little disingenuousness in her
character。 Her early and consistent training； the definiteness of her
vocation； and； above all； her profoundly religious attitude gave her a
strength and poise that could not be overcome by any ordinary misfortune。
Indian names were either characteristic nicknames given in a playful
spirit； deed names； birth names； or such as have a religious and symbolic
meaning。
