1832

 

May: Captain Benjamin Bonneville leads an expedition of 110 men up the Missouri River, exploring in the next two years, large parts of Wyoming and Idaho, and sending a party south to Great Salt Lake and then into California. Back East, the story spreads that he is dead. 

He finally returns to civilization: 

A story is told of Captain Benjamin Bonneville. He took leave of absence, for two years, from the army to trap in the mountains around what is now Salt Lake City.

 

He caught beavers and otter and fished, and the Crows came and cleaned him out, and he kept out of the way for two years more. He was reported dead. He went to the adjutant-general and reported, but the adjutant says: “Bonneville is dead” – He says: “I am not dead.” – “Oh yes,” said the adjutant, “you are dead; you are as dead as a mackeral. Go away from here and don’t disturb the record.”

 

The Life and Deeds of General Sherman by Henry Davenport Northrop, J. H. Moore & Co., Philadelphia, Pa., p. 566.)

 

*

To William Lloyd Garrison

by John Greenleaf Whittier

 

CHAMPION of those who groan beneath

   Oppression’s iron hand:

In view of penury, hate, and death,

    I see thee fearless stand.

Still bearing up thy lofty brow,

    In the steadfast strength of truth,

In manhood sealing well the vow

   And promise of thy youth.

Go on, for thou hast chosen well;

   On in the strength of God!

Long as one human heart shall swell

   Beneath the tyrant’s rod.

Speak in a slumbering nation’s ear,

   As thou hast ever spoken,

Until the dead in sin shall hear,

   The fetter’s link be broken!

I love thee with a brother’s love,

   I feel my pulses thrill,

To mark thy Spirit soar above

   The cloud of human ill.

 

My heart hath leaped to answer thine,

   And echo back thy words,

As leaps the warrior’s at the shine

   And flash of kindred swords!

 

They tell me thou art rash and vain,

   A searcher after fame;

That thou art striving but to gain

   A long-enduring name;

That thou hast nerved the Afric’s hand

   And steeled the Afric’s heart,

To shake aloft his vengeful brand,

   And rend his chain apart.

Have I not known thee well, and read

   Thy mighty purpose long?

And watched the trials which have made

   Thy human spirit strong?

And shall the slanderer’s demon breath

   Avail with one like me,

To dim the sunshine of my faith

   And earnest trust in thee?

Go on, the dagger’s point may glare

   Amid thy pathway’s gloom;

The fate which sternly threatens there

   Is glorious martyrdom!

Then onward with a martyr’s zeal;

   And wait thy sure reward

When man to man no more shall kneel,

   And God alone be Lord!

 

* 

NOTE TO TEACHERS: History can absolutely help students learn empathy. I always felt that was a critical goal. I read a good description once of the destruction of Chief Black Hawk’s tribe in 1832; so I made this part of one of my lessons. 

Around the same time the Cherokee tribe in Georgia was fighting to keep its land. But weapons were not the choice. The Cherokee used the law – hired lawyers – went to court – and eventually won their case before the United States Supreme Court.   

Justice prevailed. Or so I made the students imagine. President Andrew Jackson refused to support the courts. And the Georgia settlers kept pressing in on the native lands. (State law did not recognize the testimony of an Indian against a white. So the settlers could pretty much act with impunity.) The Cherokee were soon driven out of the state and towards the setting sun. 

Indeed, greed prevailed. 

 

Black Hawk’s tribe tried to bargain for their land, tried to reason it out. Finally they had no choice except to fight.  

Black Hawk himself spoke shortly after his defeat.  His words had power and eloquence. I thought my students could appreciate his sorrow. 

My paragraph of explanation included these words: 

It may surprise you to see that [Black Hawk] was not just a “fighter.” He thought about and felt deeply the mistreatment his people suffered. As you will note, he expresses the same emotions we might feel in his situation. 

       Here is part of what he said: 

He has done nothing for which an Indian ought to be ashamed.  He has fought for his countrymen, against the white men, who came, year after year, to cheat them, and take away their lands.  You know the cause of our making war.  It is know to all white men.  They ought to be ashamed of it.  The white men despise [hate] the Indians, and drive them from their homes.  They smile in the face of the poor Indian, to cheat him; they shake him by the hand to gain his confidence, to make him drunk, and to deceive [trick] him.  We told them to let us alone, and keep away from us; but they followed us [and gave us no peace]...they coiled themselves among us like the snake.  They poisoned us by their touch.  We were not safe.  We lived in danger.  We looked up to the Great Spirit [god].  We went to our father [the president of the United States].  We were encouraged.  His great council [Congress] gave us fair words and big promises; but we got no satisfaction:  things were growing worse.   There were no deer in the forest.  The opossum and beaver were fled [gone].  The springs were drying up, and our squaws and papooses without...[food were] starving.

 

We called a great council and built a large fire.  The spirit of our fathers arose, and spoke to us to avenge [seek revenge for] our wrongs or die.  We sent up the war- whoop, and dug up the tomahawk; our knives were ready, and the heart of Black Hawk swelled high...when he led his warriors to battle. 

 

He is satisfied.  He will go to the world of the spirits contented.  He has done his duty.  His father will meet him there, and commend [compliment] him.  Black Hawk is a true Indian, and [will not]...cry like a woman.  He feels for his wife, his children and his friends.  But he does not care for himself.  He cares for the Nation and the Indians.  They will suffer.  He [is saddened]...by their fate.  Farewell, my Nation!  Black Hawk tried to save you, and avenge your wrongs.  He drank the blood of some of the whites.  He has been taken prisoner and his plans are crushed.  He can do no more.  He is near his end.  His sun is setting, and he will rise no more. 

 

Farewell to Black Hawk! 

Source: The Progressive Speaker, by W.R. Vansant (1897).