The Message of the Indian 549 



etiquette and courtesy, were expressions in his daily life 

 that proved his mind; and in the making of beautiful tents, 

 blankets, baskets and canoes, he has easily led the world. 

 These things were mere expressions of his broad creed that 

 the Great Spirit is in everything, everywhere, all the time. 



Sth. He solved one great economic problem that vexes us 

 to-day. By his life and tribal constitution, he has shown 

 us that the nationalization of all natural resources and 

 national interests puts a stop at once equally to abject 

 poverty and to monstrous wealth. 



6 th. He was the world's great historic protest against 

 avarice. Under various euphonious names we encour- 

 age greed as a safeguard against destitution. He 

 showed that it has no bearing on the case and that it 

 unavoidably ends in measureless crime: 



That seems to be the sixfold message of the Indian; but 

 there is also a thought that will not down, as one reads these 

 chronicles of a trampled race. 



The law of this land gives every one the right to think and 

 decide for himself, so long as he does not infringe on the 

 rights of others. No man may compel the conscience of 

 another, except that other be a soldier or a marine. When a 

 man joins army or navy, he must leave his conscience be- 

 hind. That is the law. Why? Because those in the high 

 place of authority know so well that the soldier or sailor, 

 going to the front and seeing with his own eyes the abomi- 

 nations and human tortures that warfare really means, 

 would be so horror-stricken that he would recoil as from a 

 very hell. He would refuse to be a party to such unspeak- 

 able atrocities, and so army and navy, yes, the whole sys- 

 tem back of it, would crumble. 



No, sir, discipline must be maintained. The soldier and 

 sailor must leave his conscience at home and do as he is 



