New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-10-26
TIE ONONDAGA GIANT

That there were giants in the old days we
have Biblical attestation. Suppementing this
indsputable authority, we have in various mu-
seums, reverently lowered over by specialized
science aud slippered eruditon, testimonies of
bone, humeri, and vertebra, and occipital
domes, and fragmentary bi-cuspids. These os-
suaries tell US the story of a mighty race
which probably peopled the elder world, and
had strife with the demi-gods What time
they gathered their robes about them and en-
tered the famous nations of the dead, like the
song which the sirens sang, and the name by
which Achilles was known when he hid him
self among women, is now beyond conjecture.
Revelation and relics attest that they were;
statistics and observation that they are not.
Now and then being several cubits long adds
interest to n circus or side show, and it is not
very long ago that crazy sovereign assembled
regiment, the smallest member of which
might have done battle with Goliah on terms
approximating to equality. But these were
human casualtes-accidents of generation and
development and they do not help the inquiry
which science propOunds with unavailing asst
duty as to the stature and dimensions of the
prmeval man.
We had some hope that the enormous image
recently dug up in 0nondaga County would
help to ilumine some of the dusken problems
which involve anthropology. But late de-
velopments indicate that we shall get no luster
from that source. The initial theory that it
was fossil was invalidated by Prof. Boynton's
Investigations. That competent naturalist pull
verified minute portions of the image
between his thumb and forefngcr, and
instituted close anatomical researches,
and his conclusion was that it was
sculpture of considerable antiquity, probably
executed by some of the Jesuit fathers who
are known to have inhabited the region between
two and three centuries ago. If this surmise
had proved correct the work would have
possessed an interest of enduring character.
But it turns out to have had a less ancient and
less memorable origin. It's execution is con-
fidently attributed to half crazy stone-cutter
who few years since pervaded the region,
and who, impelled by motive which
WIS partly artistic and partly religious,
consecrated his leisure hours to the
fashiOning of an image Of st. Paul. The
countenance is said to be noble and command
ing, and to DO no inadequate image of that
which confronted Agrippa, and almost per-
suaded him to be n Christian. Its cOncealment
in the earth is reputed to be the sagacious
after-thOught of n neighboring farmer, who
foresaw opportunities of making merchandise
of the Apostle. So the interest excited
by its discovery abates. 1t is almost to
be regretted that the history of its origin
should have been made known till Science had
broken q few moro lances against its stony
sides IL would have been interesting to con-
slider the conflicting theories which rival Pro-
fessors would doubtless have adopted in re-
spect to it. The memorable controversy about
the archaic inscription upon the stone dis
covered 10y Mr.. Pickwick at Gotham was
nothing to what this would have been. The
rocks Of science would have cawed over il
till the air was hoarse with their exegetic
camor Museums would have competed, natu-
ralists wrangled. and showmen fought for its
possession. But as it is after all only q big
apostle in gypsum of modern origin, and
probably indifferent workmanship, the best
thing the discoyerers can do with it is to bury
il again and let us have peace.