Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-02-21

00 THE CARDS.
A Banished RaCe.--RsverenCe for their
Native Land-.-Thelr Inflated
Destiny.
THE CARDS.


Correspondence of the LEDGER
One of the chief elements of the
population on the Honduras coast is
the Carib, and indeed upon every
island and piece Of land washed by
the Caribbean Sea, this dark son Of
Erebus and Nox is to be found. 1t is
from this race that the sea receives
its name. The word cdrib signifies
cdnRibdl, and we may reasonably
suppose that during the early history
of the race they were guilty Of this
inhuman practice. They were the
original possessors Of the Caribbee
isles-a group of the WiadEard
islands, south Of the Burmudas. Of
their origin, there seems to be no def
mite knowledge but tbs generally sup
posed that some African SLAYER
wrecked upon one Of these isles, and
from these began the present race.
Others claim hat they are q distinct
and separate race from the African,
assuming that they have marked char
acteristics not to be found in the pure
Congo. Feeling no reliance in my
powers Of historical diyinatiOn, |
would not attempt to dissect the cur
rent stories Of their origin, but | think
it a probable conjecture, with my lin
tied acquaintance with the race, that
they belong to the pure African. This
would seem a more reasonable conclu-
sion, too, from the fact that Columbus
discovered an altogether different race
on the islands just north Of the Carib-
bee group, to whom he gave the name
of Indians, and who possessed not one
single characteristic in common with
the Carib except a savage and bar
barous nature.
Bat it is more of the present condi-
ton of the race of which We wish to
speak, after hastily describing the
events preceding their Punishment,
Of the early settlements of the white
race in this country, we have abund-
ant evidence of the forcible means by
which it was done, and the possession
of these islands by the English was no
exception to the then prevalent man
ner Of foreible occupation, but it was
not without a severe and stubborn re-
sistance. Soon the homes Of the I'M
fortunate barbarian we're rifted by the
hand Of plumber, under the false name
of civilization, their avocations stop
ped and they themselves driven to
take refuge among the Businesses of
their native mountains. Ali their
pride and patriotism reyolted against
the ruthless invasion, and all their
savage nature was aroused, resolving
to die rather than surrender. The
CLEAN of the polished steel bayonet of
the English soldier created curiosity
and not fear, and the imposing martial
array Of their disciplined army excited
no terror, but only made the ill-treat-
ed black irmer in his resolve to never
abandon his home and family 10 the
white invader.
For six long years they hui held
at bay the grand power of Great Brit
ain, with only their rude aboriginal
war clubs and spears against the
powder aud lead Of the trained soldier.
The hardsbips and trials OF these
years are not easily portrayed.
Driven from the coast and their
favorite vocation Of 1shing-frOm
their little fields of maise so ne
cessary to their ordinary diet-from
the numerous fruits, which a beauti-
full nature had spread before them.
they were subjected to the greatest o.
privations. With all these disadvan.
tages, the proud race still refused al
o~vertures of surrender. Their only
subsistence, now, was Cassava, gath
cred from the Maudioca root, anC
from this one herb, without a singl,
other nutriment Except what some o
the most daring would occasional.
bring from the low lands). thousand
of the unhappy race were holding TO
gether the life, which was fast fadinl
out. The tall, robust figure of tn,
once stately barbarian was now re
duced to one amaciated carcass 0
skin and bones; his poyerty-stricke
children we're lifting their pinched an,
piteous fingers to the scanty tribute 0
food; his star was lewlysinkingand th
light was shut out from bis soul. Yel
withal, his proud eye still shot de
fance upon the merciless foe VIII
walked in ease and luxury below him
only waiting for famine TO do il
work. 1t at last became known to th
English that their only food was de
rived from the Cassaya herb, an
through that and Their Batural iortres
the boasted power Of theis armiC
were held in check. Orders yer
at once issued for the imm,
date destruction of every plar
Ofthe Maudioea tree to be found o
the islands, which was soop accom-
plished aud the unfortunate Oarib va
thus deprived of the last frail hope b
had on life. The rest may soon l
told. Those who DID not fall a II,
tim TO the sword were only spared
be transported far FROM their natil
land upon the desolate shores Of Eqs
ern Honduras, being left upon thi
barren strip of country which boz
H.. Eastarn Nioarauoa and Uondura