[William Apess / Eulogy on King Philip, 1836] "Let the children of the pilgrims blush, while the son of the forest drops a tear, and groans over the fate of his murdered and departed fathers. He would say to the sons of the pilgrims, (as Job said about his birthday), let the day be dark, the 22nd of December, 1620; let it be forgotten in your celebration, in your speeches, and by the burying of the Rock that your fathers first put their foot upon. For be it remembered, although the gospel is said to be glad tidings to all people, yet we poor Indians never have found those who brought it as messengers of mercy, but contrawise. We say, therfore, let every man of color wrap himself in mourning, for the 22nd of December and the 4th of July are days of mourning and not of joy." (244-251) Facing East from Indian Country (2001) |