Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1843-04-06
Ffoss ths National Iafelligenosr.
TRAL AMERICA. CHIAPAS. YUCATAN

CENTRAL AMERICA, CHIAPAS, YUCATAN sc
By JoRS l.. SrErHENs
II iz fact acted by ALL and refect ted on by few
there chains Of sympathy which extend round groups
mankind, and. steady gravity hold them in their folds
Into whatever chain individuals linked, Is TO
the other links sympathies extended Why is II
that read Greek aud Roman history with
tcresi while feelings enknde hen reading circu-
stances equally grand IN themselves but relating to China.
India, Japan, TO Americaf IL Is simply because
the chain which connects fate with Greece and
Rome has been actually broken. We avoid
connecting with the past when that affords
uthc heartfelt satisfaction OF reacing orn and bring
ing Of early the arts. sciences religion languages,
and national divisions of natural and intellectual
ancestors.
ter another circle Of sympathy; and il proper
acknowledge that no effort enable go with Mr..
Stephens in imagination the ruins Of CoPan, Paenque
Uxna other places wonde ul they with the
approach the same, warmth Of feeling with
which followed him northern Europe Western
Asia, and northeastern Afnca. Yet. however, few
open his volumes central America without being. aher
penetrating in them only few pages deeply Interested
Curiosity reused find ourselves amid
ins and elaborate sculptures the work OF whose
very names oblivion has thrown her darkest mantle. we
thus led into ruined city OF Western Asia minds
would instantly be excited inquire by whom those
Wondering structures formed Inscriptions and the
stony forms before would queries with
pausibity with actual truth But in Central Anne.
RIGA need ask rhO the 6iders'" There has
not will there arise Champollion read
the heroeyphcs admirably reproduced by MSsss. Ste
phcns and Caihcrwoodi The past: the Incl.
dents lost and like the lost pages of classic.
human reason is poweress restore them.
But if there little of probability of recovering
the lost pages OF this part OF human history only
sary read chapter L. vol 3D. be convinced that Mr..
Stephens has nationally dssipated much the sub
lect of American ruins:
"Since their discovery, says this uOveer) dark cloud
has been thrown them in particulars. The inst Is
regard the immcncs difficulty and danger, labor and
expense OF visiting and exploring them. IL has been my
object to clear this cloud. II will appear from these
pages that the have been exaggerated and
CARDS Palenquc and UNma least, the only places which
have been brought before the public ALL there neither
difficulty in reaching, danger in exploring them
The second Is in regard to the OF the buildings But
here the cloud Is darker and easily dispelled
Mr.. Stephens i evidently ardent pescvering inteli
gent traveller but happily for the OF rational inorma
ton no theost who had first conclusion that the
American remains and hiorogyphics must OF necessity,
have originated from the continents OF the Old World. and
then distorted his sustain his theory. On the
~, he has in few paragraphs demolished the theories OF
Others and remarks THAT much learning and research have
been expended upon insufficient incorrect data" He
then goes give his opinion that the American archi
lecture, pictorial decoatons and herog yphics have
resemblance what known similar in Africa
Asia and completes his observations with the following
conclusions:
There is then, resemblance in these remains those
the Egyptians aud failing here, look elsewhere In vain
They different from the works of known people Of
new order, and entirely and absolutely anomalous They
stand alone
81 invite this subject the special of those ia
mliar with the OF other countries; for, unless
wrong, We have conclusion far interesting and
deu than ihatO the builders OF these cities with
the Egyptians anyother people. IL is the spectacle Of
people skilled IN architecture sculpture, and drawing and
beyond doubt othermoe perhabe and possessing the
cultivation and refinement attendant upon these, not de-
rived from the Old World but originating and growing up
here without models masters, having distinct, separate,
independent existence; like the plants and fruits OF the soil
Indigenous"
The winter Of this notice has himself examined Inn
mense number OF those remains the eTecOns OF extinct
and unknown people, who. far gone2ngc, exhibited
the great region between the Canadian and Gull Of
Mexico; and comparing the representations Siephens
Central America with his recoecrons, Is confirmed
formed opinion, that the works scattered from Lake
Enc 10 Nicaragua, performed by the people
The works point Of mass skill do differ than
do from each other the remains OF Europe ASIA aud Africa
The pictorial representations OF the human face given by
that the people, whatever age they existed Of that
call Indian.
" | am inclined think" says Mr.. Stephens that there
sufficient grounds for the belief great
guilty that has been ascbed these ruins that they
the works Of people who have passed away, and whose
history has become unknown; but opposed my idea
all previous pecuauns that they constructed by the
who occupied the county the Of the
by the SPanards, OF some very distant progentOrs
The author supports these very rational opinions by the
condition OF the remains this time, the rank uxuance
OF the SOIL the tropical rains and the sn sound
though exposed wooden beams Uxmal. These conclu
sions have singular coincidence opinion express
IN my hearing by the late William Maclure, the geologst
mot remain OF staiuary architecture said Mr. Ma
c!ure, could remain IN existence the American climate
for such length OF time those OF Egypt and other
countries"