Chief Seattle's Oration To Governor Isaac I

Chief Seattle, in his oration to Governor Isaac I. Stevens, mourns the loss of his people but does not resign himself and his people to a hopeless fate. Seattle opens his oration with a tone of respect, recognizing the President of the United States as a “chief” of the white people, just as Seattle is the chief of his people. Seattle’s oration does not drift into a despairing tone however. It gradually shifts from a dismal and gloomy outlook for his people to an admonition towards the President and American citizens, leaving the oration off on a foreboding note. Thus, Chief Seattle embodies his views of the situation at hand and leaves a lasting impact on the audience through his shift in tone, his allusions to the formation of the country, and the admonition he gives at the end of his oration.
Just the opposite of his analogy of tides, Seattle’s growing resentment only becomes more evident and does not “ebb away” like his people. As he continues his oration, he takes on a pleading tone, which mingles with his resentment. When this occurs, Seattle’s pleas seem foreboding and carry a warning to the white people who have driven his people out of their