Wilmington daily commercial., 1874-07-29
A NewIy-DIscoyered Nation

The campaign of Gan. Crook against the
Apaches last year opened to research tract Of
land 200 miles square, which is rich il relics Of
or countrys unknown past. II contains
chain of ancient cities in ruins, and cotere Of
ancient towns still inhabit by race which
holds itself aloof from the Indian, the Mexi-
can, and the American prldes itself on it de-
scent from the ancient inhabitants Of the coun-
try and maintains q religion and a govern
ment, both OF which are peculiar to itself W.
are indebtedto Capt. W. c. Manning. Of the reg
ular army, for the facts in our possession coneen-
ing this y-dscoyered race. Capt. Manning,
who was with Gen. Crook during the whole cam
paign aud was recommended for promotion BY
the latter on account Of gallantry in the field,
explored during the intervals Cf fighting.
He visited the inhabited towns, talked with their
rulers, and informed himself concerning their
customs. The largest settlement is in New
Mexico. about thirty miles south of the border
line. IL is type OF the rest. A strong wall
surrounds ii. Within are houses for about 4. 900
people. The population has dwindled however.
to about ] 500. The place was mentioned by
q Spanish Jesuit, who published in 1879
description Of his wanderings in America.
About 1885, another jesuit W. ote minute ac-
count OF IT, This account is true in nearly every
detail to-day. The language resembles the
Chinese. So an ardent Archaeological who yisi-
ted the city year ago. says. Some Of the mi
nor customs correspond,to those Of the Chinese
The women are Of the true Celestial tvpo-al-
mond eyes protuberant bodies, Little feet. etc.
They dress their hair and themselves in
Chinese fashion. Their religion a bar
harously magnificent Monrezuma j. their de-
ity. HIS coming is looked for al sunrise each
day. immortality il part OF their creed. The
priests have heavily embroidered robes which
have been used for unnumbered years. The
ceremonies Of worship are formal and pompous.
The mortality Of this strange people, 30 far at
least as foreigners are concerned. j. ireproacha-
bic Il is probable that they kept a record Of
events fy meaus o. tying peculiar knots il long
cords This. il true, Seems to establish some
them and the Aztec=. Their Government is a
conservative republic. Power Is vested in a
council Of thirteen caciques. Six Of them are
selected for life. O.d men are generally chosen
in order that their terms Of Office may not be
rnordlnatey long. The remaining seven are
elected from time 20 time. One Of them
i the Executive. Another is sort
I OF Nlce-Freslient. There q Nar-Chief,
/ Chef Police, etc. These seven cacigueg are
usually Young men. They serve but few
mouths Suffrage il universal It il scarcely
necessary TO supplement these facts with the
statement that these dwellerz in towns are quite
/ far advanced in civilization. On this point one
] fact speaks volumes. Woman If not a beast Of
burden among them, as she Ii with all Indian
1 tribes She l. held in high respect Her tasks
\ are confined 20 those Of housekeeping The
[ Written records Which We have mentioned show
4 that this desolAted community Las maintained
it traditions unbrOkeu for at least three and a
half centuries, L history, carefully stu uaied
may prove clue 70 the problem Of the aborigi-
nal sAmericans. The mound-bailders Of the
North and the city builders Of the South may be
represented in tie town-iwellers Of New Mexico
| and Arlzona.- Chicago Tribune.