The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1845-03-01
From the Green Bay Republican.
Habits, Customs, and Saperstition'
Of the MenOmonee Indians.

VI iiC MtlUiil1llcG ln0lallS.
Observation-Disclosures
gentle reader. if in describing the work
lngs OF LOVE upon the savage Indian, we
may shock the intelligent minds of the
refined portion of mankind. Ere we ven
lure to condcm them for their selfshncss
and lack Of tina; affection engral,cd upon
the heart OF the more refined, we should
bear in mind tina, they are not the recip.
tents OF the priceless blessings of cviIza..
ton, that the SUM beams of knowledgr
smile not alhwart their pathway in life,
and that the store-houses of education
and refinement are closed to them.
Hence, ii is not surprising that the Indi-
ans are but little removed above The brute
creation as it regards the affections and
generous impulses Of the heart.
The Ncnomonec ale a cold ard indif-
!e'ent people, and do not NANTES, any
thing by which we can infer that they
! possess any of TIE lively feelings and al
lrcllons OF the human heart than is CONS
mon 10 the animal Kingdom. Their man
ncr of courI,hip and mode of procedure
| in love affairs, will more wildly illustrate
The warmth OF affection which character.
lses the Indian.
When an Indian experiences the want
Oh companion 10 share his fortunes in
! lie, he first max IS selection before culn-
ing to close 1uarlers.' 1T some respects
the Indian is very circumspect in the Sc
lection Of a "betier halt" Tie endeayours
10 procure an Industrious and tidv squaw;
one with an amlable disposition; and ihe
says one that can make and mend hi,
m"ca sslns handsomely, and boil his ket-
ne when lie wants it. Beauty, is an ac-
| mp.ishmenl of minor consideration ~
their eyes, but, nevertheless il is always
acceptable.
Well, the Indian las the maid Of his
choice selec!cd he thea arquainls his
father and mother OF his wish to yet mar
RED, and-namiDg the chyect Of his ten
der snliciiude--he des,tessthcm to 90
and have talk with the parents of the
forest maid, and obtain their consent, il
agreeable to them, for him to pay his ad-
dresses to her. The gil is rarely or
never consulted beforehand, and is gen
orally ignorant OF the hole transaction
until the first visit Of the gallant, who
never can muster tross enough TO pop
the question al once, but allows his ia.
rents or friends TO prepare the way for
the grand onset. lie goes at night to the
wigwam OF hi, inamora'a, and lighting
the end Of a stick prepared for that es-
pecial purpose, he presents il to the mai
den. II she receives it aud blows it out,
ne finds favor, and is pleasantly enter
tanned Tor The evening: but if she receives
/! and suffers i. 10 remain burning, his
hopes are b!ighled, and he returns home
IN despair, and most generally abandons
the pursuit on the first rcpalsc.; hu, if la-
vored. he continues his nocturnal visits
for three successive nights. ga the third
night, he takes her home to his wigwan;
and she, by this ceremony, becomes hi
lawful wife. This is the only marriage
ceremony or law among them. A to us
durability, we might remark that it docs
not debar the husband from The privilege
10 throw her away (as they tenn III when,
ever he pIeases. and then seek for anolh-
er.-Thls isa common occurrence among
the MenumoneeS, and is considered q
very trivial matter.
During the courtship, the indian wears
one blue and one red eggin, and the bal.
ance OF his dress is as costly as his cir
cumsances will allow. lie decoratcs his
head with feathers of various hues and
paints his face in the most brilliant and
tasteful style; fills his ears and fingers
with rings, his arms with bands, and The
bosom o! his shirt with hrucchcrs, all oc
which is transferred to the bride when
obtained. Cio,hed in ;his tiazzi,Hg dress,
he wanders about absorbed in his own
medirations, and apparently lost to all the
scenes and attractions which SURROUND
hlm--devoilnga large portion Of his lime
oplaying love melodies on an imperfect
kind of flute-endeav oring always to Sc
lect such situations as viii carry his notes
! of melody TO the ears Of his intended
and at intervals chaunsing love songs, of
course with view to fascinale aud kia-
die the fame OF affection in her bosom.
The females possess much larger
share Of affection than The males. lfdis-
appointed or crossed in love affairs, they
frequently commit suicide: this the men
rarely or never do, They console them