One of the great Warriors of all times was Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce. Here is what Historyplace.com (http://www.historyplace.com/speeches/joseph.htm) documents about Chief Joseph:
Chief Joseph |
Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce (1840?-1904) was known to his people as “Thunder Traveling to the Loftier Mountain Heights.” He led his people in an attempt to resist the takeover of their lands in the Oregon Territory by white settlers. In 1877, the Nez Perce were ordered to move to a reservation in Idaho. Chief Joseph agreed at first. But after members of his tribe killed a group of settlers, he tried to flee to Canada with his followers, traveling over 1500 miles through Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana. Along the way they fought several battles with the pursuing U.S. Army. Chief Joseph spoke these words when they finally surrendered on October 5th, 1877: |
Tell General Howard I know his heart. What he told me before, I have it in my heart. I am tired of fighting. Our Chiefs are killed; Looking Glass is dead, Ta Hool Hool Shute is dead. The old men are all dead. It is the young men who say yes or no. He who led on the young men is dead. It is cold, and we have no blankets; the little children are freezing to death. My people, some of them, have run away to the hills, and have no blankets, no food. No one knows where they are – perhaps freezing to death. I want to have time to look for my children, and see how many of them I can find. Maybe I shall find them among the dead. Hear me, my Chiefs! I am tired; my heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands I will fight no more forever.
****** ******
A WARRIOR fights for his/her people, to preserve life and liberty or to restore wellness and a positive direction into a brighter future for those the Warrior serves. Chief Joseph, in seeking “to fight no more forever,” makes this statement bravely, declaring that once the battles of warfare have ended, there is yet a battle of peace and prosperity to be won.
There is a time for the WARRIOR to fight and there is a time to put down arms to ensure greater survival for that which remains after the ashes of warfare have subsided.
It takes great Wisdom to know what the Moment requires and to act accordingly; to surrender to the Great Spirit the passions of war; to, like Iroquois Native Americans, Bury the Hatchet under the Tree of Peace.
images are from pixabay.com
Better Endings 