The logical man must either deny all miracles or none, and our American Indian myths and hero stories are perhaps, in themselves, quite as credible as those of the Hebrews of old.
From Charles Eastman
The Indian was a religious man from his mother's womb.
The hospitality of the wigwam is only limited by the institution of war.
The family was not only the social unit, but also the unit of government.
The American Indian was an individualist in religion as in war. He had neither a national army nor an organized church.
That is, we believed, the supreme duty of the parent, who only was permitted to claim in some degree the priestly office and function, since it is his creative and protecting power which alone approaches the solemn function of Deity.
Our people, though capable of strong and durable feeling, were not demonstrative in their affection at any time, least of all in the presence of guests or strangers.
Our old age was in some respects the happiest period of life.
No one who is at all acquainted with the Indian in his home can deny that we are a polite people.
More than this, even in those white men who professed religion we found much inconsistency of conduct. They spoke much of spiritual things, while seeking only the material.
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