The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1876-06-15
AMERICAN ABORIGINEs

r4l AMERICAN ABORIGINEs
The Interior Departmtnt Exhibition of
Relics and yestiges of the Savage and
Prehistoric Races.
One of the most remarkable and in
structive exhibits i'm the government
building at the Centennial Exhibition
is that of the Interior Department, IL
Illustrating the history and ethnolOgy
of the aboriginal races, the autoch-
thones of America, to use the term of
science.
This section is so rich in relics and
vestiges of savage and prehistoric
races that the student could spend
days in profitable examination of
them. Sir John Loubbock would
here find material that would drive
him mad with delight and enthusiasm.
Various wax figures of Indians stand
in different parts of the section ar
rayed in the peculiar toilet of the saw
age warrior. This illustration of by
gone times with wax.fgures, by the
way, is a frequent feature of the ex-
hibition, and is very attractive meth
cd in its appeal to sense which is
only the sharpest of teachers. Bas-
kets, cradles, mating, blankets, neck.
laces, fringed leggins and moccasins,
and the various finery of the different
tribes of the present are seen on every
side. All the varieties of Indian arms
lances, hatchets, knives, bows and ar
rows, az used by the diverse red peo-
pies, and their artistic embroidery, are
admirably illustrated. Measured by
the test applied by the archaologist.
the red native Of America rises con-
siderably above the savages of other
continents for his art has in it very
decided indications of skilled ingenu-
ity and bright fancy. Fresh from the
magnificent vases of China and Japan,
not to speak of the ceramic art of Eu.
rope, am surprised to notice the
beauty and grace of some of the
earthen jars of the sO-called savage
IaCCS, C0fCi Cd Ao aiC With
ious tracings and well designed figures
representing various scenes i'm peace
and war.
The relics of the Esquimaux and
Sitka Indians are hardly less interest
ing. Here you have the figure weight
ed in the peculiar fur-garniture OF the
aactic races, all sorts OF dressed skins
and robes multifarious utensils,
sledges, and the various articles found
in Thdian graves. A singularly carved
tall post, with figures of birds, men
post of an Alaskan house, and model
Of a.coIored bird, with wings extend
ed, Introduces me 10 an old historic
myth of our recently acquired terrific
ry. This legend Of the Sitkan abor-
igines is that this bird brought over
their forefathers from Asia, images of
whom are seen painted under their
wings. This bird-image is one of the
most sacred of the Lares and Penates
of the household, and, it is said, can
be.found anywhere throughout Alas
ka. This region is also represented
by carved animal images of walrus
ivory, and great variety of idols,
wonderfully like similar works made
by the Tartar races of eastern Asia.
We have also here vestiges of the
mysterious mound builders, whose Or
igin has excited SO much discussion
among scientists, funeral urns beauti-
fully enameled, queerly shaped pitch
ers and vases, mortars and pestles.
cutting and saving tools, spades, adzes
and celts, obsidian knives and axes.
and heavy stone axes. From Mexico
there are stone sculptures, and calen-
der stones, elaborately grotesque idols
various implements of the ancient
Aztec civilization, which Cortez found
in the land he SO daringly conquered.
Perhaps all these things may not be-
interesting to your readers, but it
seems to me they give glimpses of
that land and mysterious past very
captivating to the fancy as well as
suggestive to the intellect. by sort
of reversing process they bring to
mind the possibilities of the future, so
humorously yet powerfully typified by
Macaulay in his image of the New
Zealander standing on a shattered pier
of the London bridge and musipg
over the civilization whose eloquent
memorials he sees scattered around
him in crumbled ruins.
The government department has a
very complete collection of min
erals found in the different States,
properly classified, and also of the
valuable woods and 1 must not for
get the remarkable fossils sent from
the Smithsonian at Washington. Ia
ken for all In all the contents of this
building are Of immense interest and
variety, and the foreign visitor will
probably find il one OF the most at
and instructive on the expo
sition grounds. / am agreeably dis
appointed at the intelligent and COM
prehensive plan oil which this impor-
tani exhibit has been made, its excel
lence Of system and classification
being due, l believe, TO the officers of
the army and navy, who have il in
charge.
n n Il