The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1853-05-14
IN fixed abodcS or cultivate the soil.

In common with most other Indians, they
are very snprrStltlous. They believe in
dreams. the wearing of amulct<. medicine
bags, &C., and the dedication ofofferinrs to
secure the favor Of invisible agents. as also
IN the efficacy of music and dancing for the
cure of diseases
They submit with impcrturbable stoici<m
and apathy TO mi>fortunos of the most ser;ous
character, and in the presence of STRANGER.
manifest no surprise or curiosity AT the exbi-
htIon OF astounding novelties. vet thiS a,,,-
rent indifference is assumed, ard thev are in
reality very inquisitive people.
In every village NAV be scen small struc.
tnres. consisting OF a framework Of slight poles
bent INTO semispherical form. and covered
with buffalo hides. These are called medicine
lodges and are used as vapor baths. The
patient is seated within thelodre, beside sew
eral heated s'ones.upon which water Is thrown
nrodnring dense ho, vapor which hrinrS ON
a pro'u>r Pcr>piration. while at the same
time the ShamanS. or molirine m.n.wl;n nro-
les TO have the bower OF communicative With
The nm>rrn world, and Of propiriatinc the ma
!"voi"nrc Of ,,ii spirits, are performing vari
ou> nrantatlonS. accompanied hv music, or
t'c outside. SE"h means are rrSnrtcd "a n,
hca!lng ali diseases: and am also infnrnct
that vonng men are obliged 10 und.rro \ rrr
u!ar course Of S.eani-ha,hinr before they are
considered worthy of assuming the arluou.
duties of warriors.
The knowledge thsv possess of their earl,
history Is very va"uc and limited. and doe
not extend further hack than few oena-,
uon~. They >av that their fGrctathcrS live,
precisely Is HEY ioand followed the hu,i,,lo
that they came from a conntrv towards n,
setting OF tl!'. sun. to which they expect |.
return after death.
hey acknoW rdre the existence and nov
"r 81 Great supernatural ar"n-. whn .iir..rt
and controls a! things: hut ;i.i> ROVER the,
ron"eive 10 he Originally n he >lin. VIII -
they worship. and appeal to on all orrasinn
"' moment. They also au,riretc tn;n-
state O; rN.>'rnc- similar 20 the present. A..
Invariably bury with the warrior his hqn;io
and var implements,
Thus far 10 efforts have ever locn nal
20 improve the moral or physical condition r
The people. No missionaries have to N
knowledge ever visited them. and they har
no more idea of Christianity than thrv hav
Of the rcligi0n OF Mahomct We find dwcl,
inG almost n onr doors as harharors an
h"a'hrniS'' I rae a> exists on the face ofth
car'A: ant while onr lnncvo'ent and pl.ila.
throp:' citizens are matinr >urh efforts % =
m"''oref" tie condition of Sayaco~ on othc
continents. should we rot 10 >omr.l,;na fn
The hcncfi: Of these Wild men of the pra;
res
These di@gv nohlcmon or natrro-:ilc o~;c
nal proIrietorS Of that vast domain include
between the shores of the Atlantic an! Paciti
have been drsnoilra. supr'an-cl. * rohhr
ofthcir Ir~t al legitimate hcri.a,r X Il
avaririorS an rapid cr,roaclmcnas Of tn
white man Numerous and powerful! nation
have already become cx.crminatcd hv uniuS
tfiahlc wars that he has wagcd with then
and hv the effects oc the wees he has in:rr
ducod and inculra'cd: and of those that +,
main hut few can he found who are not cor
: taminatcd hv the nerniciorS Influences Of III
rrinciplcd and designing alrcniurerS.
Ii i< not ut this late dav in our power
atom" for all the iniu>ti~c inflicted upon IL
. red man: hut it seems to ne that A wis, po
" would dirtat" almost the only rrccmI ems
, 1t i now ro<>il" to make. that Of introlu,
inr among them the l.h's of Christianity an
the blessings OF civilization. with their attcr
: dant benefits of agriculture and the ants.