The Indians never chastise their children, especially the boys; thinking
that it would damp their spirits, check their love of independence, and
cool their martial ardour, which they wish above all things to encourage.
“Reason,” say they, “will guide our children, when they come to the use
of it; and before that, their faults cannot be very great.” They avoid
compulsory measures, and allow the boys to act with uncontrolled freedom;
but endeavour, by example, instruction, and advice, to train them to
diligence and skill in hunting; to animate them with patience, courage,
and fortitude in war; and to inspire them with contempt of danger, pain,
and death,—qualities of the highest order in the estimation of an Indian.
By gentleness and persuasion they endeavour to imbue the minds of their
children with virtuous sentiments, according to their notions of virtue.
The aged chiefs are zealous in this patriotic labour, and the squaws give
their cordial co-operation.
Ishuchenau, an old Kanza warrior, often admonished the group of young
auditors who gathered around him, of their faults, and exhorted them
never to tell a lie, and never to steal, except from an enemy, whom it
is just to injure in every possible way. “When you become men,” said he,
“be brave and cunning in war, and defend your hunting grounds against
all encroachments: never suffer your squaws and little ones to want;
protect them and strangers from insult. On no occasion betray a friend;
be revenged on your enemies; drink not the poisonous strong water of the
white people, for it is sent by the bad spirit to destroy the Indians.
Fear not death; none but cowards fear to die. Obey and venerate old
people, particularly your parents. Fear and propitiate the bad spirit,
that he may do you no harm: love and adore the Good Spirit, who made
us all, who supplies our hunting grounds, and keeps all alive.” After
recounting his achievements, he was wont to add, “Like a decayed prairie
tree, I stand alone:—the friends of my youth, the companions of my
sports, my toils, and my dangers, rest their heads on the bosom of our
mother. My sun is fast descending behind the western hills, and I feel
it will soon be night with me.” Then with hands and eyes lifted towards
heaven, he thanked the Great Spirit for having spared him so long, to
show the young men the true path to glory and fame.
Their opinions, in many instances, are false, and lead to corresponding
errors in conduct. In some tribes, the young person is taught to pray,
with various superstitious observances, that he may be a great hunter,
horse-stealer, and warrior; so that thus the fountain of virtue is
polluted.
The Indians are entirely unacquainted with letters; but they have a
kind of picture writing, which they practise on the inside of the bark
of trees, or on skins prepared for the purpose, and by which they can
communicate the knowledge of many facts to each other.
The Indian names are descriptive of the real or supposed qualities of
the person to whom they belong: they often change them in the course of
their lives. The young warrior is ambitious of acquiring a new name;
and stealing a horse, scalping an enemy, or killing a bear, is an
achievement which entitles him to choose one for himself, and the nation
confirms it.