An Account of Sa-Go-Ye-Wat-Ha, or Red Jacket, and His People, 1750-1830 eBook

“He did not trust to the occasion alone for his finest periods, and noblest metaphors.  In the armory of his capacious intellect the weapons of forensic warfare had been previously polished and stored away.  Ever ready for the unfaltering tongue was the cutting rebuke, or apt illustration.  By labor, persevering labor, he achieved his renown.  By exercising his faculties in playing Logan when a boy, one of the highest standards of mortal eloquence, either in ancient or modern times, he has left a lesson to all ambitious aspirants, that there is no royal road to greatness; that the desired goal is only to be gained by scaling rugged cliffs, and treading painful paths.” [Footnote:  This statement, together with the remarks that follow, is presented almost entire, from a reminiscence of Red Jacket, given by Mr. Turner in his Pioneer History of the Phelps and Gorham Purchase, a work that has rescued from oblivion, many interesting and valuable historical recollections.]

The habit thus acquired in the orator’s youth, became characteristic of him, at a later period of his life.  Previous to his making any great forensic effort, he could be seen walking in the woods alone, apparently in deep study. [Footnote:  Col.  Wm. Jones.]

CHAPTER IV.

Early struggles—­Red Jacket’s opportunity for trial—­Council at Fort Stanwix—­Red Jacket’s office of Sachem—­Red Jacket’s opposition to the proposed treaty—­Excitement created by his speech—­Allayed by Cornplanter —­His influence in deciding the treaty—­How it affected him.

How long and toilsome the way, ere the ambitious aspirant passes from the low grounds of obscurity, to the dazzling heights of fame!  How many hours of anxious toil, through wearisome days and nights, protracted through months and years, are passed, before the arena even is entered, where the race commences in earnest!  How many struggling emotions between hope and fear, encouragement and doubt, promise and despair, mark the experience, and clothe it with the sublimity and interest that belong to action in its highest forms!

Did this child of nature cherishing the bright dream from early life, never suffer from these contending emotions, ere he awoke finally to the consciousness of the reality, where he could exclaim, I am an orator, yes, I AM AN ORATOR!

This idea Red Jacket began now to cherish.  He had practiced in his native wilds, the forest depths had echoed back those strains of eloquence, that had struggled for utterance in his impassioned bosom, and their force being expended here, served but to awaken a still stronger desire to try his powers, where he could have the answering sympathy of human hearts.  His fame and greatness were yet to be achieved.  With the inward consciousness of strength that would secure for him the eminence he desired, he awaited eagerly the opportunity for its exercise.  This opportunity came.