Early American Writers

Thomas Paine and Red Jacket were two of early America's more notable writers and orators. Both men knew how to influence an audience with their skills of articulation, either through the written word, or during a speech or sermon. For example, Paine connects with the reader by laying out the facts, and including his own educated opinion into the matter, "Spain has ceded Louisiana to France, and France has excluded the Americans from N. Orleans and the navigation of the Mississippi [...] Suppose then the Government begin[s] by making a proposal to France to repurchase the cessation," (Hitchens, 1987, p. 71). Here, Paine was roughly outlining the idea for what would later become the Louisiana Purchase in a letter he wrote to Thomas Jefferson in 1802.

Red Jacket, a prominent figure in the world of Native Americans, often gave speeches to empower his fellow man. He had the foresight to know that his people were being taken advantage of, and his speeches said as much: "Brother, our feats were once large and yours were small. You have now become a great people, and we scarcely have a place left to spread our blankets. You have got our country, but are not satisfied. You want to force your religion upon us," (Costa Nunes, 1980, p. 6). The simple words Red Jacket used were strung together in such a way to create a sense of understanding and trust between him and his audiences. He was direct and concise, getting to the truth of the matter without preamble.

Concerning sermons and speeches, there is a difference. A sermon is a body of words that is meant to sway the reader or audience towards one side of a subject, whether it be of a religious nature or not. Whereas a speech can be a persuasive or objective address, such as a pro-life overview or a current state of affairs. This week's readings fall into the category of sermons because most of them were trying to convince the reader of something, like Paine spurring on a revolution and Red Jacket urging his people to use greater wisdom concerning the 'white' man.

References:

Costa Nunes, J. (1980). Red jacket: the man and his portraits. American Art Journal, 12 (3). Retrieved from JSTOR online database.

Hitchens, C. (1987). The actuarial radical: common sense about thomas paine. Grand Street, 7 (1). Retrieved from JSTOR online database.

Anything but Savage

Although John Smith’s early accounts of the Native Americans painted a picture of savage animals, actual history accounts dispute most of his biased findings. One need only read The Constitution of the Five Nations (or The Great Binding Law) to see how civilized the Native Americans were.

Nature was prevalent throughout The Great Binding Law. At times, nature served as a source of symbolism that the Iroquois could draw upon to explain certain aspects of The Constitution of the Five Nations:

“Roots have spread out from the Tree of the Great Peace [...] and their nature is Peace and Strength [...] If any man or any nation outside the Five Nations [...] promise to obey the wishes of the Confederate Council, they shall be welcomed to take shelter beneath the Tree of the Long Leaves.”

One practical role nature played in The Great Binding Law was the opening of each Council meeting. Fire was the representation for the beginning of a meeting:

“When the Lords are assembled the Council Fire shall be kindled, but not with chestnut wood, and Adodarhoh shall formally open the Council.”

In regards to the United States Constitution, the Iroquois system of government was somewhat of an influence. The three branches of government used in the United States was also practiced by the Iroquois:

“The Council of the Mohawk shall be divided into three parties [...] The third party is to listen only to the discussion of the first and second parties and if an error is made or the proceeding is irregular they are to call attention to it, and when the case is right and properly decided by the two parties they shall confirm the decision of the two parties and refer the case to the Seneca Lords for their decision.”

Their democratic system of government impressed such founding fathers as Benjamin Franklin and James Madison, (Iroquois, 2002). When excerpts from Iroquois law were read aloud at the Constitutional Convention, there was one line that was very remarkable, "We, the people, to form a union, to establish peace, equity, and order..." (Mee, 1987, p. 237).

References:

Iroquois. (2007). The constitution of the iroquois nations: the great binding law gayanashagowa. Retrieved on September 30, 2010, from http://tuscaroras.com/pages/history/iroquois_constitution_1.html

Mee, L, C. (1987). The Genius of the People. New York: Harper & Row