.MTA1Ng.NzEwNDI

himself here to carry his purpose by a surprize, under which a vote would be obtained "so far to commit the nation as the preclude any further debate." But, as it happened, he had all the surprize to himself. There was a dead silence. Ridge was among the people, sitting with the younger chiefs. Ridge looked around, expecting some of the elders to reply. "The old men kept their seats." Ridge at length started up. A tempest of indignation was in his voice & countenance. He exclaimed, "My friends, you have heard the talk of the Principal Chief. He points to the regions of the setting sun, as the future habitation of this people. As a man he has a right to give his opinion; but the opinion he has given as chief of this nation is not binding; it was not formed it the light of day but was made up in a corner, to drag the people without their consent, from their own country to the dark land of the setting sun. I resist it here, in my place, as a man, as a chief, as a Cherokee having the right to be consulted in a matter of such importance. What are your heads placed on your bodies for, but to think, and, if to think, why would you not be