Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1843-07-25

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better fitted for the residence of man and for
the supply of the productions, which are es-
sentia to his wants. All those, who partici-
pated in its first settlement. have not vet
passed away and the survivors find themselves
the members of community Of 100000 of
people. have myeclf Witnessed much of
this progress, and had my share Of its tolls
and rewards. 1t is forty-threc years. since
landed upon the Northern shore of Ohio. a
Young advcnturer seeking the land of prom
se. which has been to him. as to many Others
the land of performance. 1t that time the
Tcrritor, OF Indiana was not organized. aud
the States OF Ohio, OF Indiana. of Illinois. of
Michigan and the Territory of Ouisconsin
formed one Government, under the name of
the Northwestern Territory. shall not stop
to bring before YOU the incidents OF frontier
life. nor the difficulties and priyations, and
suiIcrings in peace and in war. by which the
forest is acquired and reclaimed and finally
subducd. Daring many years this region had
It's full share OF troubles. The line OF your
canal was bloody war path, which has seen
many deed of horror. And this peaceful
town has had It's Moloch. and the records of
human dcprayity furnish no more terrible cx-
amplcs of cruelty than were offered at his
shrine. The Miami Indians, our prcdcccS-
sors in the occupation of this district, had a
terrible institution whose origin and objects
have been lost in darkness of aboriginal his
tory. but which was continued to Il late peri
Cd, and whose orgies were held upon the very
spot where we now are. 1t was called the
man eating society. and it was the duty of
is associates to cat such prisoners rs was pre-
served and delivered to them for that purpose.
The members of this society belonged to 4
particular family and the dreadful inheritance
descended to all the children. male and fc
male. The duties it imposed could not be
avoided, and the sanctions of religion were
added to the obligations of immcmorial usage
The feast was solemn ceremony. at which
the whole tribe was collected, as actors or
spectators. The miserable victim was bound
to a stake and burned at II slow fire, with
all the rclincmcnts of cruelty, savage ingcnu-
ity could invent. There wa Il traditionary
ritual. which regulated with revolving prcci>-
ion, the whole course of procedure ut these
ceremonies. Lattcrly the authority and obli-
cations OF the institution had declined, and
| presume il has now wholly disappeared.
But have seen and convcrscd with the head
OF the family. The chief of the society. whose
name was White Skin. With what lcclings
OF disgust, need moi atlcmp. TO describe. iwcll
knew an intelligent Canadian. " no was present
at one of t'lc asi sacrifices made TO this borri-
bic institution. The victim was young
American. captured in Kentucky. towards
the close cl our Revolutionary War. Here
where We are now assembled. in peace and
security celebrating the triumph OF art and
industry. within the memory OF the present
generation. our couatNmrn have been this
tortured. and murdered and dcvourcd. But
thank God. chat Council fire Is cX.inguiShcd.
The imp;ou, feast i over. the War dance i.
ended, the War Song Is sung, the War dram
Is silent, and the indian has departed to find
| hope in the distant west. comfortable res
idencc, ana hope also 10 iind, under the pro-
lection. and If need be under the power OF
the United States. Il radical change in his in
stitution> and general Improvement in hi,
moral, and condition. \ feeble remnant OF
the once powerful tribe. which formerly won
their way TO the dominion of this region BY
blood, and by blood maintained it. have to-
day appeared among u. like passing shadows.
fitting around the places that know them no
more. Their resurrection. if may 20 speak.
Is not the least impressive spectacle. which
marks the progress of this imposing ccrcmo-
ny. Thcy are the broken column. which con-
meets Us with thc past. The cditicc Is in
ns. and the giant vegetation. which covered
and protected it. lies rs low. as the once nigh
ty structure. which was sheltered in its recess
c.. Ehcy have come TO witncs, the first great
act of peace on our frontier history. a, their
presence here !, the lat in their own. The
ceremonies upon which YOU heretofore gazed
with interest, will never again be seen BY The
white man. in this seat OF their former power.
But thanks TO our asccndcncv. these reprcsen-
tations are but pageant: but theatrical
exhibition. which with barbarous motions.
and sounds, and conto tions, shcw how their
ancestors conquered their enemies. and how
they gluttcd their revenge in blood. TO-DAY
this last of the race i here. Tomorrow
they will commence their Journey towards
the setting sun. where their fathers agree
ably to their rude faith. have preced-
ID them. and where the red man will find
rest and safety. in coming 30 this place.
passed along the Canal and marked with
delight the beautiful river upon whose bank it
Is constructed. and the charming country t.
which il gives new life and value. ! was for
cibly struck with the contrast between this
Journey and n former one. Nature ha> been
prodigal of her fayor> TO the valley OF the
Maumec. can never forget the first time
it met my eve. Il was at the commencement
OF the late war. when tn troop, destined
for the defence of Detroit had passed through
the forest from Urbana TO the Rapids. The
season had been wet, and much OF the Coun-
fry was low md .ha ,vbola ot ~ hrol-op