Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1845-01-03
From the Buffalo Gazette.
Sf,tcul0ti0ns .4bOMt .N0fters .NysferiOMs.


From the first discovery Of the CONT
nent by European adventures, it has
been a subject Of much speculation and
research, how, when, and by whom were
created the numerous antiquities which
are every where TO be found. We learn
tina, the first who landed saw many things
which reminded them of some Of the an
cient institutions of the old woodland
from that period 10 the present, the devel.
opemenls Of every succeeding year have
but strengthened the opinion. and opened
new fields for the exercise Of the sympa-
,hies Of man and the wisdom of the phi
losopher. In the ruins of temples and
monuments of science which are scattered
throughout the old world, there is indeed
a charm which the pages of cotomporary
history give, that makes US feel like the
man of old, while treading these deserted
sanctuaries. that we tread on holy ground.
consecrated TO the veneraiion of the anti
quarlan and the scholar, as once the resi-
dence of heroes and statesmen, whose
names we have lisped with delight from
our childhood-as theatres of mighty re.
suits, bearing witness to the glory and
fall Of successive empires-.he wars. the
games, the pas,imes, the manners and pas
sions of those primeval times.
It is indeed glorious prospect 10 stand
upon this eminence of time and look down
upon the ruin of all tina. has gone before !;
we seem TO triumph over the desolation Of
ages-and did not misty prescience of
our own coming destiny creep upon US
and remind us too, that as they have fed,
SO we must follow-we might fancy our
selves immortal. endowed with universal
intelligence and ordained to WELD the
| scep,er of mind over the world of maleri-
al being. sess
But our portion of the world is without
its share Of historic light and whatever
| it possesses of ancient origin is left With
oul single echoing voice 10 tell the tale
of its glory or its desoia.ion. e'b
| 1t is well known the natives of this
| country were entirely ignorant of the arts
of civilized life, previous 70 the discovery
| by Europeans. Even the most simple
farns of architectute were nnknown-a
rude people. but single remove from the
condition of tue wild beasts which con-
tended with them for the dominion Of the
forest. But the western states are full Of
the evidences Of the existence OF more
civilized race. Who were they, gone !
The remains Of their habita,ions and of
their cities lie scattered ali over the west
ern country. ao gs. =. 49,. $50. -
Along the rivers Ohio, Muskidgum,
Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee. and the
lesser streams, they are the most numer'
! Gus, and recent discoveries show that
| these remains are Of a people highly ad
| vanced in the arts Of civilization, far be-
yond any known inhabitants of the corn-
1 try at The time Of its discovery. The
mounds and regular for.i6cstions. which
are found in Ohio, Kentucky and Virgin-
| ia, denote an acquaintance with military
| science and engineering. They are gene
rally placed on commanding poi.ions--
| such as an experienced tactician would Sc
| lect as The site Of warlikc defences. and
eyince degree Of foresight and military
knowledge worthy almost Of the perfection
Of modern science. Among these have
been found cemeteries filled with human
bones. which crumble 10 dustimmediaseiy
on being exposed TO air. The hih Of .
sword, highly finished. was found -ear-'
!