Whatever they did was in the fear of God and without the fear of man.
Conscious of their own integrity of purpose, they shrunk not from the
judgment of posterity. And though in this hour we may not always
approve their policy, so neither can we comprehend their principles or
appreciate their trials. The human family has ever been subject to one
great law. It is this: Inferior races disappear in the presence of
their superiors, or become dependent upon them. Now, while this law
shall not stand as a defence for our fathers, it is satisfactory to
feel that no policy could have civilized or even saved the Indian
tribes of Massachusetts. The remnants that linger in our midst are
not the representatives of the native nobility of the forest two
centuries ago. Nor did Williams or Eliot, by kindness or religion,
ever command the fierce spirits of Miantonomo, Canonchet and Philip.
Nevertheless, let history exalt these men. Let it speak truly of
their genius, their courage, their patriotism, their devotion to their
race, and, as for Massachusetts, she shall be known and read of all
from the dark day when the colony of Plymouth had not ten efficient
men, to this auspicious moment when within our borders a million of
free and happy people speak the language and glory in the descent of
the Pilgrim Fathers!
The existence of Massachusetts is properly divided into three parts.
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