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· 179 · CHAPTER 11 Being fully convinced that sorrow and desolation followed everywhere in the footsteps of strong drink, I recalled the dying request of my dear, lost Lonidaw, and again sealed the sacred contract within my heart, that I would raise “migas” (the war-whoop) of alarm against that old dragon, not only in behalf of my own race, but in behalf of the white race as well, so long as life should last. But the solemn thought came home to “nintchitchag” (my soul), What can I do in my “kitimagisiwin” (poverty)—I, a child of the forest? Already I am broken down by loss, care, and anxiety, feeling that the wigwam of my soul is unlocked; that the latch-string has been pulled; that life’s latch has been lifted, leaving the door ajar.But a few more days,and like“abodashkwaneshi”(the dragonfly) that lies entombed in mud and mire through “bibon” (winter’s) reign, when “sigwan” (springtime) comes, rises to the surface of “nibish” (the water), and bursting the shroud that confines it, flies away, so shall I go forth out of the wigwam of mortality, to join “nossog” (my fathers) and “ningag” (my mothers) in the land beyond; yet I am determined, while crossing the threshold of life’s open door, that I will raise “inwewin” (my voice),though feeble it may be,and cry out most bitterly against that beast, to whom the red man and the white man are like a race “awawkanog” (of slaves); against that beast who is no enemy outside our lines, but a · 180 · Simon Pokagon traitor within our camp; against that beast that fondles and embraces, but to strangle; against that beast, who, petting, “odindiwin” (kisses) but to bite and poison, like the snake without the warning hiss. Pokagon believes with all his heart, that if some dire “nibowin” (contagion) should sweep our land as disastrous to health and life as the alluring cup, that those wild scenes which were enacted in London during the great plague there, would be repeated here. Business would be paralyzed; social gatherings cease; no church bell would be rung in all “aki” (the land); many would forsake home and flee to “wadjewog” (the mountains); others to “kitchigamog” (the high seas), and all that human effort could do, would be done to prevent “nibowin” (the deadly disease). My dear white friends, Pokagon is fully convinced; yes, he doth know that his firewater of “anamakamig” (hell) should give you greater cause for alarm than any “nibowin” (disease) that has ever visited our shores. It not only destroys more lives by a hundredfold, but is also the father and mother of want, disease, shame, crime, and death. The microbes of the social plague invade alike the homes of the rich and poor, of the learned and the unlearned; and all unsought, swarm like maddened “amog” (wasps) about the trusting “ikwe” (bride), the young mother and the infant at her breast, impregnating all alike with the virus from its alluring “onagans nishiwawin” (cup of murder). In view of such outrage against virtue, chastity, and Christianity, Pokagon can not and will not hold “ninodawnaw” (his tongue), but must cry out for all good men and women everywhere to put forth all their powers to crush out the deadly “kotagisiwin” (plague) and dry up the awful stream of misery and “ginibowin” (death) at its fountainhead. There are in these United States not more than one-half million of people engaged in the sale of this curse, and yet to those comparative few, “ninmiskwingwesee” (I blush) to say it, millions, politicians and statesmen, all alike bow down and worship at their shrine, as if they held eternal rewards and punishments in “oninagimawog” (their hands). A small “anackwad” (cloud) may hide “michi gizis” (the mighty sun) from view at noonday, one hand may shut from sight the glittering vault of “wawkwi” (heaven) at “abitatibe kad” (midnight); so some little selfish interest, if unchecked, may “nibo” (eclipse) the most righteous cause on earth. In conclusion, permit me to say,although by nature I am a child of“sawkaw”(the forest),and was born “Ogimaw” (Chief), yet, by adoption, I am a citizen of the United States, Queen of the Woods· 181 · having the right of petition, therefore take the liberty to say to white men everywhere, who now occupy this loved land of my fathers and mothers, “Kimokas!” (Come forth!) “Inawbiwin giwittai!” (Do look about you!) “Wiiagad sagidiwin” (Pity and love), with...

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