Matthew Mahalak

American Lit I
Dr. Bernath
14 April 2011
Civility and Humanity among Native Americans
The Native Americans were viewed primarily as uncultivated and out of control by many
Europeans who migrated to their land. Through the Native Americans and Benjamin Franklins
outspoken speeches, it is evident that their humanity was being established for what it should
have been. The Native Americans were diligent and respectful people who were taken for
granted by the European settlers. However, Benjamin Franklin questioned and demanded
answers for the mistreatment of the Native Americans. In addition, many Native Americans
spoke out too about their experience and unfortunate situations. It is clear that both Benjamin
Franklin and the Native Americans, appeal directly to the readers logic and emotions.
Benjamin Franklin was a leader for the Native Americans because he saw the
dehumanization that they were going through. In his speech, Remarks Concerning the Savages
of North America, he makes it very clear that the Native Americans are not savages and should
be treated the same as the Europeans. Savages we call them, because their manners differ from
ours, which we think the perfection of civility; they think the same of theirs (Franklin 358). He
immediately starts his speech off with this line to emphasize the importance of these people.
Franklin is expressing his idea of unfairness on behalf of the Europeans. In the previous quote,
he basically states that the Europeans were treating the Native Americans as savages because of
their way of life. That line alone provides great insight into Franklins heart and morals about
the humanity of Native Americans.

Moreover, Franklin continues his speech by explaining the manners and venerable
attitudes the Native Americans possessed which somehow became awry to the Europeans. He
points out that the men were very successful in terms of gathering food for their families and
providing them with security and safety. Additionally, the women were dutiful in terms of their
basic responsibilities such as cooking and taking care of the children. Franklin states, Our
laborious manner of life, compared with theirs, they esteem slavish and base; and the learning,
on which we value ourselves, they regard as frivolous and useless (Franklin 358). It is apparent
that Franklin feels for the Native Americans because they were not savages. He tries to express
his logic in every way by providing examples of how they are civilized. This is exactly what
Benjamin Franklin wanted to do, he wanted to emphasize their existence as humans.
There are specific instances in Benjamin Franklins speech where he explores the
intelligence regarding the Native Americans. When the Indian, Canassatego, asks Conrad about
the white people and their peculiar customs like assembling in the great house, Conrad replies
that they meet there, to hear and learn good things (Franklin 361). However, Canassatego
replies to him and says, I doubt the truth of what they say, and I will tell you my reasons
(Franklin 361). So it is here where Franklin shows how the Indian was one step ahead of the
white man, giving him that humanistic quality. In another example, Franklin illustrates how
when the Indian and Hans exchange words regarding the beaver, the Indian realizes the true
intentions of the white people. The Indian says, that whatever they pretended of meeting to
learn good things, the real purpose was to consult how to cheat Indians in the price of beaver
(Franklin 362). Therefore, Franklin does a perfect job at depicting these natives as smart
individuals who were in fact humans with feelings.
A stronger point that Benjamin Franklin stresses is the kindness and generosity of the

natives compared to the Europeans. He talks about how the natives do not expect anything in
return, whereas the Europeans are money driven. In a specific case, Franklin shares a story of
how the Indians captured and killed a deer for feasting and were approached by a young female.
The natives were kind and welcoming to the girl and offered her food. The girl in return says,
Your kindness shall be rewarded (Franklin 360). However, the natives do not expect anything
in return which is what Franklin was emphasizing. When the Europeans talk about how what
they tell them is mere fable, fiction, and falsehood, the natives reply respectably. My brother,
it seems your friends have not done you justice in your education; they have not well instructed
you in the rules of common civility (Franklin 360). So Franklin shows that even though the
Europeans and natives may have different views on education, they still have morals and civility
which is evident from their words. All in all, Franklin ends his speech effectively because he
gives insightful examples of how the Native Americans are humans and no different than the
Europeans.
Now coming from the Native Americans themselves, a sense of that struggle for
humanization is apparent in all of their stories. One in particular is Red Jacket who was also a
leader for the Native Americans. He opens his speech by acknowledging the Europeans who are
reading his article as a friend and brother. Whether Red Jacket was talking about how the
Europeans underestimated their intelligence or religion, he was still respectful. He continues to
talk about how the Europeans have betrayed them and manipulated them when arriving on their
land. We took pity on them and granted their request, and they sat down amongst us. We gave
them corn and meat; they gave us poison [rum] in return (Red Jacket 42). He points out how
they were misled and taken advantage of as human beings. Red Jacket mainly appeals to the
readers emotions because he explains how unfortunate everything turned out after being so

welcoming to the Europeans. He says how they provided them with food and shelter when the
Europeans provided them with hard liquor. Consequently, fights broke out and an uproar
occurred between both factions.
In one specific part of Red Jackets speech, he questions the way in which the Europeans
go about their religion. He respectively says, Brother, you say there is but one way to worship
and serve the Great Spirit. If there is but one religion, why do you white people differ so much
about it? (Red Jacket 42). So one can see that Red Jacket recognizes the disputes between the
whites regarding their religion differences. He understands that the whites think their religion is
the only one to follow, when in reality they have so many different views and beliefs. This
emphasizes how Red Jacket displays his emotions and logic as a human being. He knows that
the Indians have a stable and valued religion which all the natives follow unlike the Europeans.
Furthermore, Red Jacket expresses his concerns regarding religion and the way white
people teach it and expect conformity. In particular, one can see how Red Jacket maintains his
calmness and respect when confronting them about their views on religion. He states, You say
that you are right, and we are lost. How do you know this to be true? (Red Jacket 42). In other
words, he is politely telling them that they can be wrong about their views of religion and that it
is not the only way. It is evident that Red Jacket is displaying his intelligence which humanizes
him as a Native American. Throughout his speech, his dignified tone supports and builds up
with the want for humanity. He continues to say, Brother, we do not wish to destroy your
religion or take it from you; we only want to enjoy our own (Red Jacket 42). Red Jacket is
speaking out against the behavior and ignorance which the Europeans possessed during this time.
As a reader, one may also feel sympathetic toward Red Jackets situation because of his
kindheartedness nature. All in all, Red Jacket shares his personal thoughts on the mistreatment

and deceitfulness of the Europeans which does not anger him but motivates him. He is
motivated to find some way of being treated as a human and not the savage they were ignorantly
labeled.
When looking at both Benjamin Franklin and Red Jacket, a sense of the will for humanity
is evident in their speeches. They are both similar in their approach at getting the readers
attention involving the humanity of Native Americans. Benjamin Franklin gives detailed
examples of how Native Americans are striving for a better relationship with the Europeans. He
talks about how un-savage they are and that they embody what every European wishes they
had, which is trust and respect. For Red Jacket, he is honorable and courageous for being
outspoken and representing the Native American society. His words are in no way vindictive,
but meant to express great respect for himself and his people no matter what the outcome is.
That is the most influential aspect of Red Jacket because whether or not the Europeans took his
message serious, he knew he would always possess that humanistic quality. Together, Benjamin
Franklin and Red Jacket are powerful in their messages involving the humanity in natives. They
put themselves out there, fought back, and demonstrated their charismatic nature which
embellished their speeches regarding the humanization for Native Americans.

Works Cited
Franklin, Benjamin. Remarks Concerning the Savages of North America.
Early American Writing. New York: Penguin Books, 1994.
Red Jacket. Red Jacket, Sagoyewatha. Great Speeches by Native Americans.
New York: Dover Publications, Inc., 2000.

SAVEDD