American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1874-07-25
A Newly-DiscOvered Nation.

THE campaign of Gen. Crook against
the Apaches last year opened TO research
tract of land 200 miles square, which is
rich in relics of our country's unknown
past. 1t contains a chain of ancient
cities in ruins and cotere of ancient
towns still inhabited by IA race which
holds itself aloof from Indian and Mexi-
can and American, prides itself on its
descent from the ancient inhabitants of
the country, and maintains religion and
government both of which are pecuL
lar to itself We are indebted to Capt
W. C. Manning, of the regular army, for
the facts in our possession concerning
this newly Undiscovered race Capt Nam
ming, who was with Gen. Crook during
the whole campaign, and was recon-
mended for promotion by the latter on
account of gallantry in the field, eX-
plorcd in the intervals of fighting. He
visited the inhabited towns. talked with
their rulers, and informed himself con-
corning their customs.
The largest settlement is in New Mex
leo, about thirty miles south of the Dor
der-line- 1t is a type of the rest A
strong wall surrounds it. Within are
houses for about 1000 people. The pop
ulatiOn has dwindlcd, however to about
l,s00. The place was mentioned by a
Spanish Jesuit who published, in 1929
"
Ca About 1875 another Jesuit wrote Il
minute account of it. This account is
true in nearly every detail today. The
language resembles the Chinese So an
ardent arch;eologist who visited the city
year ago says Some of the minor
customs correspond to those of the Chi
ncse. The women are of the true Celes-
tIal type-almond eyes, protuberant
bodies, little feet, etc They dress theil
hair and themselves in Chinese fashion
Their religion is barbarously magnificent.
Montezuma is their deity. His comingis
looked for at sunrise each day. Immor-
tally is part of their creed. The priests
have heavily-embroided robes which
have been used for unnumbercd years
The ceremonies of worship are formal
and pompous. The morality of this
strange people as far at least as foreign.
ers are concerned. is irreproachable 1t
Is probable that they keep IA record of
events by means of tying peculiar knots
in long cords. This. if true seems
10 establish some kinship or re-
mote acguaintanceship between them and
the Aztecs- Their government is IL con
servative republic. Power is vested in a
council OF thirteen caciqucs. Six of
them are selected for life Old men are
generally chosen, in order that their
terms OF Office may not be inOrdinatelv
long The remaining seven are elected
from time to time. One of them is the
Executive. Another is a sort of Vice
President. There is a War Chief, a Chief
of Police, etc. These seven caciqucs are
usually young men. They serve but
few months. Suffrage is universal II
- scarcely necessary to supplement these
facts with the statement that these dwell
ers in towns are quite far advanced in
civilization. On this point. one fact
speaks volumes Woman is not "a beast
Of burden among them, "a she is with all
Indian tribes. She is held IN high respect.
Her tasks are confined 10 those of house
keeping.
The written record. which we have
mentioned show hat this isolated com
munity has maint aimed its traditions I'M