The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-10-04
THE NORTH CAROLINA INDIANS.
WEBBsy1LLE, n. c., Sep. 9th, 1861.

THE NORTH CAROLINA INDIANS.
WEBBsy1L1E, n c., Sep. 9th, 1861.
TO the Editors Of the State Journal:
As YOU have, more than once, had the hberaitty
to notice in your valuable paper, the services rem
dered by a command known as "Thomas' Legion"
composed principally of Mountaineers and Chero-
kee Indians, it may not be uninterestng to some Of
the readers of the Journal, to know something Of
the history of the latter, and their right to bear
arms in defence of their homes and the Govern
inent of their adoption, agreeaby to the laws and
usages of civilized nations.
The Indians composing part of the Legion,
principally reside along the southern base Of the
Iron or Smoky Mountain, in the Counties Of Jack
son, Macon and Cherokee, principally 10 the first
mentioned county, adjacent to the "Hunting
Grounds" reserved for the use Of those Indians by
treaty stpulations acquesced in by the State Of n
Carolina. The word Cherokee, name by which
the tribe is known, had its origin, very probably
with the white settlers on this continent, as the
name thoee Indians are known by each other Is
You-we-yeh, which is construed to have reference
. to the color Of the skin-"Re9 man." They have
O tradition, with regard to the creation Of by
the 'Great Spirit" but instead of one Adam, their
tradition has an Adam and Eve for each descrip-
ton of the human family. Their tradition, like
the account we have in the Bible, represents that
our first parents were made out Of the earth, and
the difference of color to have been the result Of
the different kinds of clay used in the creation.
The Red Man is supposed to have been formed OF
red the white Of white and the black of black
clay, &c.
The Indian tribes long before the settlement of
this country by the while race, had, if their tradl-
tions be true, their between the Northern and
Southern tribes, resembling to some extent, the
present war between the Southern and Northern
people. The Northern tribes, inhabiting portions
of New York, sent out War party along the AL
leghany range Of mountains, nearly thousand
miles, on foot They attacked and killed some of
the Chcrokees on the war path leading across the
mountains between Cherokee and Valley river in
the county of Cherokee, N. G. Rude piles Of stone
mark the places where they were buried. The
Cherokee warriors, to revenge the death of their
friends, followed the Indians to their homes in
New York, and while they were celebrating their
victory took ample revenge and satisfaction for
their friends, and returned along the Allegheny
range of mountains to their homes, The enemy
followed far as the Delaware river, crossed Oh
raft, but did not pursue any farther. From this
time, about the middle of the seventeenth century,
before the white settlements had extended across
the Alleghanies, the Northern tribes ceased to
make raids on the Southern tribes, and perma-
nent peace was the result.
The present war amongst the white race, will
likely terminate in the way. When the
Northern armies cease to war on the Southern peo-
pie, the present war will end and be followed by
durable peace JUNALUsKE
THE EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS.
This subject appeals to every heart There is
is scarcely family which has not member in
prison, and topic Interests the public more The
Federal Government through the letter of their
Commissioner of Exchange, endeavors to throw
tho blame on us, because we will not exchange
our slaves. We may add, in passing, that when
our government prepares to entertain that PROPOSE
tion it will be time to give up the struggle.
It is very we'll known, however, that this is
mere pretext to cover another and better reason
which governs the Yankees. That reason was
frankly admitted by Yankee General high in
public estimation, and, by his own showing, a
member Of the Republican party supporting Lin
coins reelection. We refer to Brigadier General
Truman Seymour. This officer is out in letter
addressed to leading Aboitionst of New York,
proposing to give his impressions of the condi-
ton of the South" ubich is no doubt now being
used as campaign document in the Presidential
election. Shallow, uncandid and perverted as the
letter is, we do not propose now to attack it. We
prefer to place the writer the stand our wit
ness. He is an Abolition General. Let him speak
for his master.
We state on the authority of the general COM
handing the Department Of South Carolina, Geor-
ga, Florida, and of several of his staff the follow
ing facts:
Soon after Gen. Seymour reached Charleston he |
commenced negotiations for the exchange of him
self and the officers with him: When allasion |
was made by on side, (this in an Off
cial interview to the exchange of the private sol
diers, he said in substance, that it was not the
policy Of his Government to exchange prisoners, |
because it we'll known that Confederate prs- |
oners held. by his Government, if exchanged,
would return to the army, while it was equally
we'll known that United States prisoners in our
hands, whose term of service had expired, would
not do so; nor would others re-enter the service
after their term of service had expired. In re-
ply to some one present that such policy was in
disregard of the usages of civilized and of the
cartel, and was, besides, most inhuman, he replied
with a shrug, that in such his Govern
ment was waging such little questions Of humani-
ty would not be considered, or allowed to inter- |
fere with the general policy.
Here we have the mask removed. This is the
true reason why prisoners are not exchanged. All
others snbterfuges; Yankee tricks to cover up
the true reasons-Richmond Enquirer.
It looks as though Mcclellan was going to have
q chance of election. His prospects have certainly
improved rapidly. The Democrats are ccntering |
upon him to man, all the dissatisfied are surren-
dering their dissatisfaction, and many Republicans,
as we'll as Old Line Wings, are coming up to him. |
Upon the WHOLE there is much reason for uneasi- |
ness on the part of Abraham and VIM. II Seward |
There will be but two canps,-that Of Lincoln |
and Mcclellan. Fremont will not be rum neither
will any boiling Democrat. 1t will be straight |
put fight 1t will be bear and husband and we do |