Читать книгу Redmanship in Kentucky for Fifty Great Suns - Frank L. Smith - Страница 9

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The Great Council fire was kindled in ample form at Newport on the 16th sun of Buck Moon, G. S. 5615.

Past Sachems and representatives were admitted from Chickasaw Tribe, No. 1; Black Hawk Tribe, No. 2; Pocahontas Tribe, No. 3; Kentucky Tribe, No. 4; Choctaw Tribe, No. 5, and Tecumseh Tribe, No. 6, of Louisville. The records fail to show the date of the institution of this Tribe, but it must have been during the Great Sun 5614–5615, and was authorized to work in the German language.

Great Chiefs for the ensuing Great Sun were elected and raised up as follows:

Elias Reese, of No. 2	Worthy Great Sachem
S. I. B Badgley, of No. 4	Worthy Great Senior Sagamore
Chas. Amann, of No. 3	Worthy Great Junior Sagamore
J. B. Monder, of No. 1	Worthy Great Prophet
A. J. Francis, of No. 2	Worthy Great Chief of Records
V. Schinkle, of No. 2	Worthy Great Keeper of Wampum
G. W. Ford, Great Representative to G. C. U. S. for two great suns Bros. Brown and Coffin, for one great sun each.

Great Sachem Geo. W. Ford read the first long talk, an able and comprehensive document. He said: "The Grand Sun just past is the first of this Great Body. It has been one of great trial. The Great Manitou's face has been under a cloud, our corn patches have been barren and our vines brought forth no fruit; yet has not the faith of the Red Man faltered. The cloud is being lifted, our hearts are made glad, the corn and vine promise much, our squaws and pappooses shall not go hungry, and the wampum belt shall again be full. During the past Grand Sun two more Tribes have been added to our number—Choctaw Tribe, No. 5, at Alexandria, and Tecumseh Tribe, No. 6, at Louisville. In the absence of written law I have been governed by this alone, our motto, "Freedom, Friendship, and Charity. Freedom of thought in discussion; Friendship in our intercourse with the brotherhood, and Charity towards our brothers' faults, frailties and the foibles of human nature." Speaking as he was to Past Sachems only, the following was not only timely then, but is still pertinent and should be heeded: "We would earnestly recommend that you attend regularly the councils of your respective Tribes, for to you it is natural to look for countenance and advice. It is a too common failing that when a brother has attained the highest post of honor for him to become remiss in his duties to his Tribe, for it is his duty to attend the kindling of his council fire upon every occasion, when health and private duties permit. It is essentially the province of all past officers to guide their respective Tribes in the right path, that they go not astray and follow the path of the evil spirit. Let this advice sink deeply into your hearts and penetrate fruitfully your understanding."

The following was adopted:

"Resolved: That this Great Council instruct its Representatives to the G. C. U. S. to call the attention of that body to the subject of establishing a chief's degree to be conferred upon the squaws of Red Men."

The Great Council fire was quenched, to be rekindled in the hunting grounds of Alexandria, on the 15th sun of Traveling Moon, G. S. 5616.

On the above date the council fire was rekindled. Since the quenching of the last council fire the Great Council of the United States had convened, and Past Great Sachem Geo. W. Ford had been elected Great Incohonee of that body, and he presided at this session of the Great Council of Kentucky.

Several Past Sachems presented credentials and were admitted, routine business was transacted and the council fire was quenched, to be rekindled in the hunting grounds of Covington, on the 21st sun of Cold Moon, G. S. 5616, on which date the Great Council reconvened, but transacted no important business other than a resolution to fine all Great Chiefs for non-attendance, and the council fire was quenched, to be rekindled in the hunting grounds of Louisville, on the 14th sun of Plant Moon, 5616.

At this adjourned session much business of only local interest, however, was transacted.

A resolution was adopted to kindle the Great Council fire semi-annually instead of quarterly, once in Louisville and once in Newport or Covington.

The council fire was then quenched.