Viewing page 27 of 100

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

-24-

STANDING BEAR'S SPEECH TO LABOR

The accuracy with which he would take in all conditions of any situation as well as his correct judgment concerning the characters of men, was almost miraculous. Henry Mason, of the old Mason & Hamlin Organ concern, was greatly interested in Standing Bear and invited the party to make a visit to his manufacturing establishment. At the close of the inspection, Mr. Mason said:

"There are two or three hundred working men in the different departments who would be delighted to hear the old chief say a few words. I don't wish to impose upon you, but if he would make a few remarks, they would remember it as long as they live."

I asked Standing Bear if he would make a speech to the men and he said that he would. Now it must be remembered that all that this Indian chief knew of civilization was what he had seen from the car windows and one or two days spent in Chicago and Pittsburg. We went into a large hall where the men were assembled. They had on their aprons, and the paper caps they wore at their work. Standing Bear glanced at the men and then stepped upon a small box and looked over the assemblage for a full minute before he said a word. Then he began his speech. He said:

^(Had an interpreter) "Your face is white and mine is red, but one God made us both. Why should we not always have been friends and helped each other instead of killing one

Transcription Notes:
(Had an interpreter) was handwritten