Secret Corners of the Forest
John Muir and Chief Seattle shared a vision separated by time, race and culture. Although these two men were of common mind about the natural environment, respect for the natural order and its importance they differed in the prospect for the future and the effect that “whites” would exact upon it.
Chief Seattle’s vision for his people was dire and prophetic. Seattle’s vision contain his sadness and anger over the ruination of the environment by man. Seattle wanted the “white man” to stop, and listen to what he had to say. He saw the land as a peaceful and sacred place that was to be cherished. While the white man only saw land as something to be gained. He wrote about all that he has seen happen to the environment …show more content…
When the buffalo are all slaughtered, the wild horses all tamed, the secret corners of the forest heavy with the scent of many men, and the view of the ripe hills blotted by the talking wires, where is the thicket? Gone. Where is the eagle? Gone. And what is it to say goodbye to the swift and the hunt? The end of living and the beginning of survival.”(Norton 299)
He wanted this to be an eye opener, so that man could see how the effects were not just effecting himself but how its going to effect the white man. If not rectified the way of life for the whole of society would parish. Similarly to Chief Seattle’s idea, John Muir, wanted the people to be aware of whats happening to the environment. He know that if society continued down the path of ravaging the environment, society wouldn’t last. As long as there is profit to be made and selfishness of fools, society as a whole wont last.
“Any fool can destroy trees. They cannot run away; and if they could, they would still be destroyed -- chased and hunted down as long as fun or a dollar could be got out of their bark hides... nor would planting avail much towards getting back anything like the noble primeval forests... God has cared for these trees, saved them from drought, disease, avalanches... but he cannot save them from fools -- only Uncle Sam can do that.”(Muir
John Muir and Chief Seattle shared a vision separated by time, race and culture. Although these two men were of common mind about the natural environment, respect for the natural order and its importance they differed in the prospect for the future and the effect that “whites” would exact upon it.
Chief Seattle’s vision for his people was dire and prophetic. Seattle’s vision contain his sadness and anger over the ruination of the environment by man. Seattle wanted the “white man” to stop, and listen to what he had to say. He saw the land as a peaceful and sacred place that was to be cherished. While the white man only saw land as something to be gained. He wrote about all that he has seen happen to the environment …show more content…
When the buffalo are all slaughtered, the wild horses all tamed, the secret corners of the forest heavy with the scent of many men, and the view of the ripe hills blotted by the talking wires, where is the thicket? Gone. Where is the eagle? Gone. And what is it to say goodbye to the swift and the hunt? The end of living and the beginning of survival.”(Norton 299)
He wanted this to be an eye opener, so that man could see how the effects were not just effecting himself but how its going to effect the white man. If not rectified the way of life for the whole of society would parish. Similarly to Chief Seattle’s idea, John Muir, wanted the people to be aware of whats happening to the environment. He know that if society continued down the path of ravaging the environment, society wouldn’t last. As long as there is profit to be made and selfishness of fools, society as a whole wont last.
“Any fool can destroy trees. They cannot run away; and if they could, they would still be destroyed -- chased and hunted down as long as fun or a dollar could be got out of their bark hides... nor would planting avail much towards getting back anything like the noble primeval forests... God has cared for these trees, saved them from drought, disease, avalanches... but he cannot save them from fools -- only Uncle Sam can do that.”(Muir