Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1859-01-25

from John the end King Of Portugal, and
third, fourth and fifth from Ferdinand
and Isabella Of Spain are notorious mat
ters of ordinary history. 1t is also well
known that Isabella upon whom the great
est hope was bestowed, had upon two dis
tnct occasions seemed to favor the pro-
iect, and had finally decided as often
against it, owing to the secret machina-
tions of the inquisitioa. The great desire
of our Order to carry out their sublime
undertaking, had induced them, in order
to win Yuoen Isabella to their side, to
make certain revelations to her, which
were somewhat imprudent considering
the times, and the spirit OF persecution
which was then rife. But in view of the
happy termination of tho whole affair we
have ever been profoundly grateful for
this deviation from the sacred customs
and practices of the COOL" Since the
treachery Of Eve in betraying the seed
of Adam into the hands of the Devil
down to the age of Isat ella. Queen of
Spain, q woman had never been initiated
into the mysteries of the Primitive Llysi-
um. Though viewing this departure from
ancient usages independent Of the hap
py results which followed) we might be
disposed to censure the brethren of that
day for their want of vigilance, we must
IN justice consider the severe pressure
with which they were surrounded; a new
world upon the one hand TO be discovered
which would open an assylam of safety
to the prosecuted brethren-calling upon
them to initiate woman, the only person
then living who could enable them to car
ry out the scheme. The fear of a pow
erfui Sovereign, who positively deman-
ded initiation, promising everything in
case of compliance, and threatening re-
newed persecution, even to determination
IN case Of refusal. Can we dispassion-
ately viewing the event at this distance
wonder that Queen Isabella was admitted
even into the primitive Elysium.
| would be pleased to follow brother
Columbus through all of the details of his
several very interesting voyages Of dis
covery and to point out the splenid achieve
ments and triumphs of the Spanish EN-
pire from the period of This initiation of
one Of her sovereighs into the Evanic
rites. From this date, also, the golden
era Of our order in Europe takes It's com
mencement. The spirit Of discovery, the
light of science. and the consequent desire
of freedom, was first spread abroad The
breaking up of the feudal system - the
reformation-the protec;orate of brother
Cromwell-and a thousand other rapidly
succeeding events, tending to the final de-
velopment Of that freedom of conscience
which we now enjoy under our present
form of government are topics upon
which l would delight 10 dwell But as l
have promised that | would consider the
claims of the North American races to be
ranked among the brethren of our Order,
return with mingled regret and pleasure
to that branch of the subject; regret that
a numerous people, after having attained
high degree of knowledge and enlight-
eminent, should have fallen into a state of
degradation and barbarily; pleasure from
the consideration that degraded and low
as they are sunk, their previous high a.
tainments justify the hope that they may
yet become useful members Of society.
The opportunities which l have enjoy
ed Gas already remalked) Of observing
the character and customs of various
tribes inhabiline the extremes of this con-
tinent, together with such small stock Of
learning IN ancient records as my erratic
disposition has enabled me to obtain, will
enable me, hope, to throw out few OBJ
servations upon this subject which may
be novel and interesting to the greater
part of those whom l have the honor to
address.
Physically considered, the races inhab-
iting the Eastern portion Of the continent
are larger and more muscular than the
tribes OF the West and South Their fea-
lures considered separately present a ve-
ry great resemblance. For instance: il
would be very difficult to Distinguish be-
tween the eyes, ! sc, mouth, cheeks, al
hair, of Sioux or Chippewa and those of
any of the Pacific tribes. And yet there
is such a striking difference between the
two people that it does not require a sec
end glance from one who has had the
least opportunity CT comparing and con-
lrasting them, to determine from which
side OF the cascade or Nevada mountains
the individual halls. There is softness,