The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1874-08-14
A Newly.DiscOyered Nation.

The campaign of Gen. Crook against
the Apaches, last year, opened to re-
search tract of land, 200 miles square,
which is rich in relics of our country's
unknown past. 1t contains chain of
ancient cities in ruins and a coterie of
ancient towns still inhabited by race
which holds itself aloof from Indian and
Mexican and American, prides itself on
its descent from the ancient inhabitants
of the country, and maintains a religion
and Government both of which are
peculiar to itself. We are indebted to
Capt. w. @. Manning, of the regular
army, for the facts in our possession
concerning this newly-discovered race.
Capt. Manning, who was with Gen.
Crook during the whole campaign, and
was recommended for promotion by the
latter on account of gallantry in the
field, explored in the intervals of fight
ing. He visited the inhabited towns,
talked with their rulers, and informed
himself concerning their customs.
The largest settlement is in Mexico,
about 30 miles south of the border
line. 1t is type of the rest. A strong
wall surrounds it. Within are houses
for about 1000 people. The popula-
ton has dwindled, however, to about
1900. The place was mentioned by a
Spanish Jesuit who published, in 1929,
description of his wanderings in Amer
lea. About 1886, another Jesuit wrote
minute account of it. This account
is true, in nearly every detail, to-day.
The language resembles the Chinese.
So an ardent archeologist, who visited
the city year ago, says. Some of the
minor customs correspond to those of
the Chinese. The women are of the
Celestial type-almond eyes, protuber-
ant bodies, little feet, etc. They dress
their hair and themselves in Chinese
fashion. Their religion is barbarously
magnificent. Montezuma is their deity.
His coming is looked for at sunrise each
day. Immortality is part of their
creed. The priests have heavily-em
broidered robes which have been used
for unnumbered years. The ceremonies
of worship are formal and pompous.
The morality of this strange people, as
far at least as foreigners are concerned,
is irreproachable. 1t is probable that
they keep record of events by means
of tying peculiar knots in long cords.
This, IT true, seems TO establish some
kinship or remote acquaintanceship be-
tween them and the Aztecs. Their gov
eminent is conservative republic.
Power is vested in council of thirteen
caciques. Six of them are selected for
life. Old men are chosen in order that
their terms of office may not be inor-
dinately long. The remaining seven
are elected from time to time. One of
them is the executive. Another is
sort of Vice-President. There is a War
Chief, Chief of Police, etc. These
seven caciques are usually young men.
They serve but few months. Suffrage
is universal. IL is scarcely necessary
to supplement these facts with the
statement that these dwellers in towns
are quite advanced in civilization. On
this point one fact speaks volumes.
Woman is not beast of burden among
them, as she is with all Indian tribes.
She is held in high respect. Her tasks
are confined to those of housekeeping.
The written records which we have
M entioned show that this isolated COM
munity has maintained its traditions
unbroken for at least three and half
centuries. It's history, carefully stud
led, may prove clue to the problem of
tine aboriginal Americans. The mound
builders of the North and the city
builders of the South may be represent
ed in the town-dwellers of New Mexico
and Arizona Chicago Tribune.