File:The Iroquois - or, the bright side of Indian character (1855) (14582480860).jpg

Identifier: iroquoisorbright00john (find matches)
Title: The Iroquois : or, the bright side of Indian character
Year: 1855 (1850s)
Authors: Johnson, Anna C. (Anna Cummings), 1818-1892
Subjects: Iroquois Indians
Publisher: New York : D. Appleton and Co.
Contributing Library: Harold B. Lee Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Brigham Young University

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van temple in which were assembled the red childrenof the wilderness, to listen to the eloquence of their mostdistinguished Chief, Sa-go-ye-wat-ha,—or as his peoplewere accustomed to call him, the Young Prince of theWolf Clan,—in the days when trials and bitter wrongsstirred the deepest and the loftiest emotions in the bosomof the untutored Indian. The name which Red Jacket received in his infancywas 0-te-tiana, and signified Always ready. Accord-ing to the custom of his people, when he became chief hetook another, Sa-go-ye-wat-ha, which means He keepsTHEM AWAKE. The insignificant one which he alwaysbore after his acquaintance with white people, was givenhim on account of the red jacket in which he was alwaysseen, and which was presented him by a British officer asa reward for some special service. It was richly em-broidered, and he took great pride in wearing it. Whenone was worn out, another was presented him, so that itbecame a mark to distinguish him, and acquired him thename.
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^ J 4-./ -^ KED JACKET. RED JACKET. 159 As the government and whole construction of theIroquois confederacy was a pure democracy, few wereborn to titles. All honors must be earned. Sometimesfamilies gained a kind of distinction by their wisdom incouncil, or their bravery in war, as did that of Brandt,the great Mohawk chief; but Red Jacket had an humbleorigin, even in the estimation of his own people. His birth-place was Canoga, west of Cayuga Lake, in1750. It has been the universal testimony of books thathe was a coward; and this inference has been drawn verynaturally, perhaps, from the fact that he opposed war, andseldom wielded the tomahawk. But the old men of hisnation who knew him, and the motives from which heacted, deny the charge. The Mohawk Chieftain heldhim in great contempt, and was in the habit of repeatingvarious anecdotes to bring his courage into disgraceamong his people. Among the old men now living whoknew him, there are many who assert that he was brave,and not at all

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