Excerpt from The Indian Princess: Me-Nung-Gah and Other Poems

The American Indian is no exception to this general rule. In every tribe may be found the Stand-patters and Progressives. The former stand by the old tribal traditions handed down from father to son and are loath to change habits and customs. They cling with tenacity to ancient modes of dress and living and though they may, from compulsion, learn the English language, they speak it with reluctance. The Progressives try to adopt the white man's ways and are proud to be able to speak his language.

In the story of the Indian Princess, the writer attempts to portray some of the characteristics of the two Indian factions and to picture some of the reasons why the original great tribes have become segregated into smaller bands or tribes. The fact that the Kon-za or Kansas Indians, the Osages or Wah-shah-shas; the Pon-cas, Quaw-paws and some others speak substantially the same language, would seem to be proof positive that they were all originally one great nation.

The average Indian takes to whisky as a duck takes to water and the introduction of liquor by the whites has been one of the most potent causes of trouble between the two races, as well as among the Indians themselves.

To this extent, at least, the story of Me-nung gah is founded on facts and throughout, an attempt is made to portray this remarkable people as they impressed themselves upon the author during his childhood and young manhood when he attended school with Indian children as classmates and playmates and was for some time employed as the official U. S. Interpreter.

Hearing often from their own lips the stories of their trials and hardships; of their broken treaties; of swindles perpetrated in obtaining title to their lands; of traders who obtained their meagre revenues by selling them inferior goods at fabulous prices. All of these things created a lasting impression on the mind and if those who read this simple story shall reach the conclusion that, after all, the Indian has been sinned against as well as being somewhat of a sinner himself and that might does not necessarily make right, the purpose of its writing will have been attained.

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