t was derived his familiar name of
Sitting Bull.

It is a mistake to suppose that Sitting Bull, or any other Indian
warrior, was of a murderous disposition. It is true that savage warfare
had grown more and more harsh and cruel since the coming of white
traders among them, bringing guns, knives, and whisky. Yet it was still
regarded largely as a sort of game, undertaken in order to develop the
manly qualities of their youth. It was the degree of risk which brought
honor, rather than the number slain, and a brave must mourn thirty days,
with blackened face and loosened hair, for the enemy whose life he had
taken. While the spoils of war were allowed, this did not extend to
territorial aggrandizement, nor was there any wish to overthrow another
nation and enslave its people. It was a point of honor in the old days
to treat a captive with kindness. The common impression that the Indian
is naturally cruel and revengeful is entirely opposed to his philosophy
and training. The revengeful tendency of the Indian was aroused by the
white man. It is not the natural Indian who is mean and tricky; not
Massasoit but King Philip; not Attackullakulla but Weatherford; not
Wabashaw but Little Crow; not Jumping Buffalo but Sitting Bull! These
men lifted their hands against the white man, while their fathers held
theirs out to him with gifts.

Remember that there were councils which gave their decisions in
accordance with the highest ideal of human justice before there were
any cities on this continent; before there were bridges to span the
Mississippi; before this network of railroads was dreamed of! There were
primitive communities upon the very spot where Chicago or New York City
now stands, where men were as children, innocent of all the crimes
now committed there daily and nightly. True morality is more easily
maintained in connection with the simple life. You must accept the truth
that you demoralize any race whom you have subjugated.

From this point of view we shall consider Sitting Bull's career. We say
he is an untutored man: that is true so far as learning of a literary
type is concerned; but he was not an untutored man when you view him
from the standpoint of his nation. To be sure, he did not learn his
lessons from books. This is second-hand information at best. All that he
learned he verified for himself and put into daily practice. In personal
appearance he was rather commonplace and made no immediate impression,
but as