Chief Seattle's 1854 Oration Essay
“Chief Seattle's 1854 Oration”
On October 29, 1887, Dr. Henry A. Smith published a speech in the Seattle Sunday Star newspaper. The speech was his translation of Chief Seattle’s 1887 Oration concerning the transition of Native American lands between his people and the white settlers of the time. There was great conflict when coming to an agreement on the land, but President Grover Cleveland came about granting the Native Americans the land to prosper on. This speech was originally spoken by Chief Seattle. A native American that was born in Washington and belonged to the Duwamish tribe. He stood six feet tall and led many successful ambushes and gained himself a good reputation from his people. He renown was so prominent at the time that …show more content…
Although the Indians and white men had many differences, they both shared the same common fate: that the flow of destiny all leads to the rise and fall of different generations and that every man that has walked the Earth must pass on into the afterlife. The Chief was hopeful that President Grover Cleveland would honor and treat his people fairly in the land treaty and that the two societies would grow together as a whole. I agree with the newspaper article translated by Dr. Smith, because it provides realistic information about what the Native Americans were dealing with. Even though the translation was published 33 years prior to when Chief Seattle gave his speech, it was very influential in opening the peoples’ minds to the struggles and history of their native brethren. Dr. Smith understood that by understanding the differences between two people and cooperating with them, that the similarities we share will grow stronger and lead to a more unified people. I agree with the views of Chief Seattle because I, like him, understand that man has a common destiny, and that working together is the only way to ensure prosperity, understanding, and
On October 29, 1887, Dr. Henry A. Smith published a speech in the Seattle Sunday Star newspaper. The speech was his translation of Chief Seattle’s 1887 Oration concerning the transition of Native American lands between his people and the white settlers of the time. There was great conflict when coming to an agreement on the land, but President Grover Cleveland came about granting the Native Americans the land to prosper on. This speech was originally spoken by Chief Seattle. A native American that was born in Washington and belonged to the Duwamish tribe. He stood six feet tall and led many successful ambushes and gained himself a good reputation from his people. He renown was so prominent at the time that …show more content…
Although the Indians and white men had many differences, they both shared the same common fate: that the flow of destiny all leads to the rise and fall of different generations and that every man that has walked the Earth must pass on into the afterlife. The Chief was hopeful that President Grover Cleveland would honor and treat his people fairly in the land treaty and that the two societies would grow together as a whole. I agree with the newspaper article translated by Dr. Smith, because it provides realistic information about what the Native Americans were dealing with. Even though the translation was published 33 years prior to when Chief Seattle gave his speech, it was very influential in opening the peoples’ minds to the struggles and history of their native brethren. Dr. Smith understood that by understanding the differences between two people and cooperating with them, that the similarities we share will grow stronger and lead to a more unified people. I agree with the views of Chief Seattle because I, like him, understand that man has a common destiny, and that working together is the only way to ensure prosperity, understanding, and