democracy in america-1-第111章
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says Mr。 Cass； 〃we cannot err in anticipating a progressive diminution of their numbers； and their eventual extinction； unless our border should become stationary； and they be removed beyond it； or unless some radical change should take place in the principles of our intercourse with them； which it is easier to hope for than to expect。〃＇
At the first settlement of the colonies they might have found it possible； by uniting their forces； to deliver themselves from the small bodies of strangers who landed on their continent。 *j They several times attempted to do it； and were on the point of succeeding； but the disproportion of their resources； at the present day； when compared with those of the whites； is too great to allow such an enterprise to be thought of。 Nevertheless； there do arise from time to time among the Indians men of penetration； who foresee the final destiny which awaits the native population； and who exert themselves to unite all the tribes in common hostility to the Europeans； but their efforts are unavailing。 Those tribes which are in the neighborhood of the whites； are too much weakened to offer an effectual resistance； whilst the others； giving way to that childish carelessness of the morrow which characterizes savage life； wait for the near approach of danger before they prepare to meet it； some are unable； the others are unwilling； to exert themselves。
＇Footnote j： Amongst other warlike enterprises； there was one of the Wampanaogs； and other confederate tribes； under Metacom in 1675； against the colonists of New England； the English were also engaged in war in Virginia in 1622。＇
It is easy to foresee that the Indians will never conform to civilization； or that it will be too late； whenever they may be inclined to make the experiment。
Civilization is the result of a long social process which takes place in the same spot； and is handed down from one generation to another； each one profiting by the experience of the last。 Of all nations； those submit to civilization with the most difficulty which habitually live by the chase。 Pastoral tribes； indeed； often change their place of abode； but they follow a regular order in their migrations； and often return again to their old stations； whilst the dwelling of the hunter varies with that of the animals he pursues。
Several attempts have been made to diffuse knowledge amongst the Indians； without controlling their wandering propensities； by the Jesuits in Canada； and by the Puritans in New England； *k but none of these endeavors were crowned by any lasting success。 Civilization began in the cabin； but it soon retired to expire in the woods。 The great error of these legislators of the Indians was their not understanding that； in order to succeed in civilizing a people； it is first necessary to fix it； which cannot be done without inducing it to cultivate the soil； the Indians ought in the first place to have been accustomed to agriculture。 But not only are they destitute of this indispensable preliminary to civilization； they would even have great difficulty in acquiring it。 Men who have once abandoned themselves to the restless and adventurous life of the hunter； feel an insurmountable disgust for the constant and regular labor which tillage requires。 We see this proved in the bosom of our own society； but it is far more visible among peoples whose partiality for the chase is a part of their national character。
＇Footnote k： See the 〃Histoire de la Nouvelle France；〃 by Charlevoix； and the work entitled 〃Lettres edifiantes。〃＇
Independently of this general difficulty； there is another； which applies peculiarly to the Indians； they consider labor not merely as an evil； but as a disgrace； so that their pride prevents them from becoming civilized； as much as their indolence。 *l
＇Footnote l： 〃In all the tribes；〃 says Volney； in his 〃Tableau des Etats…Unis；〃 p。 423； 〃there still exists a generation of old warriors； who cannot forbear； when they see their countrymen using the hoe； from exclaiming against the degradation of ancient manners； and asserting that the savages owe their decline to these innovations； adding； that they have only to return to their primitive habits in order to recover their power and their glory。〃＇
There is no Indian so wretched as not to retain under his hut of bark a lofty idea of his personal worth； he considers the cares of industry and labor as degrading occupations； he compares the husbandman to the ox which traces the furrow； and even in our most ingenious handicraft； he can see nothing but the labor of slaves。 Not that he is devoid of admiration for the power and intellectual greatness of the whites； but although the result of our efforts surprises him； he contemns the means by which we obtain it； and while he acknowledges our ascendancy； he still believes in his superiority。 War and hunting are the only pursuits which appear to him worthy to be the occupations of a man。 *m The Indian； in the dreary solitude of his woods； cherishes the same ideas； the same opinions as the noble of the Middle ages in his castle； and he only requires to become a conqueror to complete the resemblance； thus； however strange it may seem； it is in the forests of the New World； and not amongst the Europeans who people its coasts； that the ancient prejudices of Europe are still in existence。
＇Footnote m： The following description occurs in an official document： 〃Until a young man has been engaged with an enemy； and has performed some acts of valor； he gains no consideration； but is regarded nearly as a woman。 In their great war…dances all the warriors in succession strike the post； as it is called； and recount their exploits。 On these occasions their auditory consists of the kinsmen； friends； and comrades of the narrator。 The profound impression which his discourse produces on them is manifested by the silent attention it receives； and by the loud shouts which hail its termination。 The young man who finds himself at such a meeting without anything to recount is very unhappy； and instances have sometimes occurred of young warriors； whose passions had been thus inflamed； quitting the war…dance suddenly； and going off alone to seek for trophies which they might exhibit； and adventures which they might be allowed to relate。〃＇
More than once； in the course of this work； I have endeavored to explain the prodigious influence which the social condition appears to exercise upon the laws and the manners of men； and I beg to add a few words on the same subject。
When I perceive the resemblance which exists between the political institutions of our ancestors； the Germans； and of the wandering tribes of North America； between the customs described by Tacitus； and those of which I have sometimes been a witness； I cannot help thinking that the same cause has brought about the same results in both hemispheres； and that in the midst of the apparent diversity of human affairs； a certain number of primary facts may be discovered； from which all the others are derived。 In what we usually call the German institutions； then； I am inclined only to perceive barbarian habits； and the opinions of savages in what we style feudal principles。
However strongly the vices and prejudices of the North American Indians may be opposed to their becoming agricultural and civilized； necessity sometimes obliges them to it。 Several of the Southern nations； and amongst others the Cherokees and the Creeks； *n were surrounded by Europeans； who had landed on the shores of the Atlantic； and who； either descending the Ohio or proceeding up the Mississippi； arrived simultaneously upon their borders。 These tribes have not been driven from place to place； like their Northern brethren； but they have been gradually enclosed within narrow limits； like the game within the thicket； before the huntsmen plunge into the interior。 The Indians who were thus placed between civilization and death； found themselves obliged to live by ignominious labor like the whites。 They took to agriculture； and without entirely forsaking their old habits or manners； sacrificed only as much as was necessary to their existence。
＇Footnote n： These nations are now swallowed up in the States of Georg
