The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-03-28
Interesting Indian CereaAsny &C Ax,any.
from the Albany Argus. March 3.

On Friday last, while accidentally at the lodgings
OF the Hon. Alvah Hunt, ut Congress Hall, in this
was as novel and imposing ~ it was unexpected to
the excellent gentleman above alluded to.
Two chiefs Of the Cayugas two chiefs Of the Onon-
dagas and two warriors OF shat tribe an aged chief
and two interpreters, suddenly ushered themselves
into the presence Of Mr. Hunt and sgni6ed their de-
sire to perform a ceremony, by bcstowing on him .
name indicative OF gratitude for highly appreca-
Of his official duties We viewed the ceremony With
intensc interest," it was an exhibition of the cRs-
toms Of nation fast dwindling away, and of 3
soon disappear in the hazy distance envelopcd
in the mystery which time ever hangs over people
who have ceased to exist.
chief of the Cayugas commenced by an address
to the chiefs and warriors present. in explanation Of
the object Of their interview. Though uninteigiblc
to US, the paetaced portion of his audience, yet we
listened eagerly to the language Of a nation which
had oft times broken the stiffness Of the native forests
of our land.
Mr. Wilson, Cayuga, then arose. He is an in
eoquenee of the Indian and with all the grace that
civilization could add. He said-"We have met
before you on great occasion. call IT great
occasion, because it IL in pursuance OF a custom
handed down to US from our fathers q custom which
revere and respect. You see before you the re-
representatives. Of the mighty Iroquois once the sole
owners OF this your Empire State Alas! not now
the mighty nation whose were the broad fields over
scattered remnants you see before you gather
ed from the icy North from the praries OF the West,
and from the warm savannahs Of the South. When
these were our hunting grounds, cold and poor the
pale man came to our coasts; we took him to our
cabins and gave him Of our bread and our corn, and
when he became strong he snatched from our chill
dren the blessings had offered to share with him.
Now We can boast no more; we no longer share our
hunting grounds with you. All are yOurs-an this
beautiful land Of which you are proud. We
need not repeat the ottold story-it was the strug
gle Of might against right. Your histories call us
leyengeful, because we drew our arrows as we fed
from the falling trees that had sheltered our homes,
and from the fires that drove us from our praries.
We allow it to be so; but while the Indian is vigil
liant to avenge, he Is also ready to acknowledge q
favor. Our friend, Mr.. Hunt, has been kind to us.
We are poor we have nothing to give in return.
But il has been custom among us to bestow name
in token OF respect. We have met this day to give
the only honor that remains with us to bestow We
adopt Dir. Hunt as brother, and give him name
in our tribe
An Onondaga Chief then arose and performed the
ceremony OF initiating and naming the Hon. Alvah
Hunt, adopting him into the White Heron Totem.
The Chief took Mr.. Hunt by the arm and led him
arouid the circle, all the chiefs and warriors joining
in low chaunt. swelling gradually into loud wild
chorus After the song was completed, Mr.. Hunt
was conducted to his seat and honored with his
e-Wan.nis-he-yo.
Dr. Wilson then arose and said:--" The Cayugas
were long in trouble and anxiety; they feared for
the little spot Of ground which yet remained to
lneIl: IL grew dark ana became nlSnC Incy Watcned
anxiously for the dawn. 1t a long, black night
but at last they a CLEAN of light. Day was
dawning. They went ont and looked joyfully upon
the bright morning, excaimiDg to each other oh,
the beautiful day.
Mr.. Hunt, by his kindly aid, had dspelled the
cloud that hung them, and had secured to them
their rights. In commcmoiation of this kindness
they called him Wan-nis-he or the beautiful day
Could education and refinement suggest an idea
more pcetical!
The ceremony performed, Mr.. Hunt arose and, in
appropriate and feeling remarks returned to the as
semhled chiefs and warriors his heartfelt thanks
They rose TO go, but were not suffered to depart
without an acknowledgment on our part of our SYM
pathy with them, in their esteem OF valued friend
and with warm expressions Of cur interest in their
behalf.
They were tall. fine looking set of men, and, as
they stood before Us, fancy stirred up the Of
younger days, when we dreamed tales of Indian
heroism and endurance; of the daring exploits Of
the warrior; OF the wild deeds Of the brave of Indian
cOuicil fires and Indian eoquence and all the thou
sand soulstining tales OF the 'Stoc of the Woods"
We Ieheld before US the representatives Of race
OF whtIl Romance has written her most thrilling
scenes of when Poetry has sung her sweetest songs
ard whose records History has placed among her
most blood stained pages.
As nation, their day is past; the dusky tribes
are fast gliding into the twilight of existence 60
Joy their lest beautiful day in the land OF the Great
Spirit.