Grasshopper-Hero

Grasshopper-Hero settlers were deeply impressed by the political democracy some tribes practiced. They carried tales back to Europe, and the whole thing got confused with the child-of-nature romance. “The influence of the first observations on the Indians can be traced through the French philosophers to the English, and with it went the concept of ‘government by consent of the governed.’ ”

Mr. La Farge loves his Indians, does not proselytize. Each tribe is preciously individual to him. If he is humorless, his is not a humorous subject. I think he will make you lament—as I did—our continuing shabby treatment of the Indian, which in many cases still offers the curious alternative of: be slaves and starve.

RB

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Roger Becket

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Grasshopper-Hero settlers were deeply impressed by the political democracy some tribes practiced. They carried tales back to Europe, and the whole thing got confused with the child-of-nature romance. “The influence of the first observations on the Indians can be traced through the French philosophers to the English, and with it went the concept of ‘government by consent of the governed.’ ”

Mr. La Farge loves his Indians, does not proselytize. Each tribe is preciously individual to him. If he is humorless, his is not a humorous subject. I think he will make you lament—as I did—our continuing shabby treatment of the Indian, which in many cases still offers the curious alternative of: be slaves and starve.