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· 185 · CHAPTER 12 In the mighty onward march of research and improvement, Pokagon has no desire to tighten the reins, to curb physical or scientific development ;but in driving the triple team that moves the great car of civilization, he would cautiously urge forward that one which lags behind, that all in concert might keep step side by side, until the goal is reached. The most humble prayer of Pokagon is that the great and learned who now occupy this loved land of his fathers and mothers, may in “nigawin” (the future) labor as zealously to search out the science of good government for the best good of all the people, as they have been in the past to search out the science of the physical world about them.Let knowledge and righteousness march shoulder to shoulder, onward and upward, until the mountain top is gained, where the perpetual sunshine of social purity will cleanse the hearts of all, breaking asunder the galling chains of intemperance, letting the oppressed go “dibendindis” (free). All along the seacoast of “nin aki” (this land of ours), and along the shores of “tchiigitchigami” (the great inland lakes) have been erected by the United States nearly three hundred life-saving stations, from whose watch-towers a lookout is kept day and night to rescue ships and those on board. These stations are manned by thousands of stalwart men and experienced seamen, equipped with all the latest improvements of the life-saving service at the expense of millions · 186 · Simon Pokagon of dollars annually. During the last fiscal year the general superintendent of this branch of service, in great pride, reports “that six hundred and thirteen shipwrecked lives were saved.” That branch of service is indeed a noble one, and worthy the hearty approbation of all; and yet, as we reflect upon the limited opportunity it affords to save “bigoneshka” (shipwrecked) humanity, as compared with that offered along the vast “kitchigawme” (seashore) of “minikeshkiwin” (intemperance), whose tides and alluring waves sweep over and drown its hundreds of thousands every “biboon” (year),—in view of such wanton destruction, Pokagon in “ninodaw”(his heart) feels compelled to cry aloud to the present lawgivers of “ningaw aukee” (his fathers’ land), Do extend your life-saving service to “michi kitch igawme” (the great ocean) of struggling “nishiwanadis” (humanity). Throw out “bimadisewin biminakwan?” (the life-line) of total abstinence, and save the perishing! For nearly sixty years I have associated with “waubeaunene” (the white race) as well as my own, and by close observation during all that time, I am fully convinced that the only safe “akobimiwan” (fortress) of “ininijimowin” (refuge) against the ravages of “tchimawtchi” (the curse) is total abstinence. Disguise it as the pride of the white man may, his safest security, as well as ours, is in the absence of temptation.We are now in the midst of an exciting presidential campaign of 1896. One of the great political parties is clamoring with pen and tongue that “sewan” (the money) in circulation is inadequate to meet the demands of the people; and that as a result the laboring classes are struggling under “nabikagan” (the yoke) of poverty in the midst of plenty, and that peace and prosperity can only be secured by opening the mints of the United States to the free and unlimited coinage of “joniia” (silver); while the other great party is declaring just as vehemently, that the depression complained of is not for the want of more money, but for the lack of proper tariff reform to protect the farmers and open our mills to American labor. On these issues the two great parties are clamoring before the people night and day for the mastery at the polls. And O, how hard they toil and “abwesowin” (sweat) to secure men’s votes! No “ketimeshkig” (tramps) now beg from “ishkwandem tchi ishkwandem” (door to door); all are corralled and “ashange” (fed) for their votes until election day comes round. No doubt both parties act from their honest convictions,each believing its own doctrine sound, and that if carried out, would bring peace and Queen of the Woods· 187 · prosperity to the nation; but what most staggers Pokagon’s “dawnawki nibwaw?kawin” (native reason) is how either party can hold its peace and not throw some responsibility for trying times for the laboring classes where it justly belongs, and openly condemn the manufacture of three billions of cigarettes which are consumed annually in this country by little...

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