The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-02-01


ADDRESS OF HON. JAMES w. LYND BE-
FORE THE H1sroR1oAL SocIErY.-The an.
nual address Of Mr.. Lynd was heard by q
large and attentive audience. The subject
was the Origin of the Indian Tribes OF
North America: and the theory OF their
chronological relationship with the trans
atlantic nations of Europe and America
was sustained by arguments based on the
afinities of traditions, language, customs,
religion, and by physiological proofs. We
are only able to give the following brief
abstract of the address: e
1t commenced with general sketch of
the Archaeology Of America, in which its
great fault was stated by the lecturer to be
in its tendency to theory. The inductive
method was the only one capable of solv-
ing the problem of their origin. An analy-
sis of their languages, customs, religion,
etc., was requisite. There were no records
to help Us and we must rest altogether upon
internal proof. He considered first; a
ENTHUSIASTICALLY those OF the Da-
kotas that relate to very early periods OF
their history. They were not numerous,
but what there are, were satisfactory. The
traditions of the Dakotas all relate to like
subjects with those of other nations. This
is strong inferential proof of the position he
established, and 10 proof of which many
interesting traditions were related, which
were very striking and appropriate.
Language-The proofs from this source
were very strong and positive in their char.
acter. There are in the Sioux language
1900 words, most of these compound
words. A reduction of these into the roots
from which they sprang, gives GIG roots or
radices from which the whole IL 900 words
comprising the language Of the Dakotas is
made up. Examining these radices and
comparing them with roots in European
languages, we find over one hundred of them
identical, j. e. one.ninth of all the radices in
the Dakota indentical with corresponding
roots 10 the Indo-European tongues. The
prominent forms in the Dakota language
we're shown to be in no wise different from
those in the European tongues.
Another class of proof from language
was found in the co-irregularity of certain
verbs, as to do, go, think, cot, etc., are irreg-
ular, or defective. The question was asked,
are the same verbs irregular or defective in
Sioux, and several were taken up and shown
to be so, and it was also shown that it was
impossible for those identities to be the
result of mere chance. There may be few
words onomatopoetical, which resemble in
their sound the action they express but
can any reason be found why so unrepre-
sentative word as to think should be found
in two widely separated languages, with like
forms, meaning, and irregularities, short of
identity of origin.
Custon,s.-The proofs from this source of
the position of the lecturer were interesting.
A comparison was made between many
Dakota and Asiatic or European customs
as those of burial, marriage, polygamy, etc.,
to show the relationship of the races.
Physiological Proofs.-The ground was
taken that no such distinctions as stature,
color, or intellectual capacity, as have here
tofore been made, have any existence in
fact. The average facial angle of the Negro
is 100; that of European, 800 or less that
of the Dakota nations, 78o-showing but
lltllC OluCICuCC UCIWCCu GuC OonOIo ouO IuO
European. As great diversity of color
exists between the different tribes of Dakota
extraction as among European nations and
the stature of these nations is about the
same as among other races.
Rehgion.-In considering the proofs
from religion, the Medicine Dance was
thrown out of the question, as an intrusive
religion, which had no existance among the
Dakota nations century and a half since.
An analysis of the various religious forms
of the Dakota nations showed fasting, puri-
fcation, sacrifice, and prayer, as the prom
inent bases of their religion, and identical
with the religious bases Of the old world.
Mr.. Lynd then alluded to the progress of
ethnology, and the duties resting upon the
members of the Minnesota Historical Socie.
ty. 1t became particularly their duty, in
view of the numerous tribes around and
within the borders of Minnesota, to, gather
and preserve the records of these nations !;
and in so doing, not only would pleasing
lustre be shed upon the name OF the society,
but additional proofs would be brought to
light OF the Unity Of the Human Race.
The lecture was we'll delivered, and re-
ceived the appreciation of all who had the
pleasure of listening to it. We are glad to
learn that it will be published in the pro.
ceedings of the society for this year.
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