Morning journal and courier., 1884-10-08
An Araucanfan Parliament.

From the Eortnlghtly ReVleW.l
 The Araucanians are, or were, divided into six tribes, and governed by chiefs or caciques, under whom are sub-chiefs; and until lately these tribes could place many thousand fight ing men in the field. The commandant of the nearest fort is now practically ruler and judge, and as he reverses or ignores the decis- ions of the chiefs, the rule of the latter is rapidly coming to an end. It is curious to notice how litigious these Indian are. At every fort a crowd of them are waiting to bring their complaints before the comman- dant One old Indian whom sawwas clamor- ing for decision on a case the facts of which occurred ten years previously. Throughout this part of the country the Chilian govern ment has placed line of forts, a few miles apart for the purpose of keeping the Indians in order. Their mode of warfare is on horse back, their one weapon being long lancer of bamboo, twenty feet in length. They at tack with the most awful cries, and when galloping away after rout will extend them selves along their horses sides, holding on in the most skillful manner, and thus making their horses bodies serve them as shields. It fell to my lot to be present at parliament of these Indians, and most interesting occasion it was. had set out to pay visit to one of the chiefs, and on arriving at his hut was in formed that he was presiding at meeting of chiefs at some distance off. Thither we rode and at last came in sight of the assembly, which was held on an open space eff grass land about the size of Hyde Park, studded with large trees. On our arrival within half mile of the spot we stopped, according to etiquette. Presently about one hundred and fifty mounted Indians broke away from the assembly, galloped toward us, and wheeled about a hundred yards off. We followed, and rode three times round the gathering. our escort then left us, and we were invited to enter the circle of mounted Indians and listen to the debate. Never shall I forget the impression formed of this wild mans parliament. We were treated with the ut most civility and attention. But though our reception was polite, it was certainly not cor dial It was evidently with no feeling of pleasure that these ancient owners of the soil received at last on terms of equality the white man whom for over three centuries they had kept at bay.
 The president who was the most powerful chief present, was mounted on grey horse with silver stirrups and silver bit, and was l in the center of the group. Every now and then murmur of applause or disapprobation ! arose, but beyond this there was not word spoken by anyone but the Indian who was addressing the assembly. He was accounting how his kindred had been slaughtered in a neighboring State-how his cattle had been
 
 and children torn from their mothers (teIrible | retaliation for some border raid) The l speaker went on to say that he had fled to | Chili, and that if the Chilian Indians would | let him live there, with the remnants of his people, they would be very thankful. This
 Indian was still speaking when I left; he | nevers faltered or hesitated for word | was told that some of these Indians will l speak for over four hours without interrup- | tion. One of our party, regret to say made l himself conspicuous by his levity of manner | and the loud tone of voice in which he car
 ried on conversation during this harangue. l But the Indians did not seem to be disturbed l by it; they listened to the orator addressing them with wrapt attention, and taking nc notice of incidents which would have irri- tated an English audience past endurance l was particularly struck by the quiet dignity l of manner and gentlemanly bearing of these Indians. A Chi1ian gentleman near me very justly observed: ''Is it not curious how ex-
 tremes meet? How much the bearing ot | these poor Indians resembles that of what we
 call the highest civilized society,""
 The faces of the Indians by whom we were
 surrounded impressed me favorably Some few were fair, and must have had European l blood in their veins. They were broad-ehest- I ed, finely-built men, inteIligent-looking, with l wel1-formed heads, and could not but be | struck by one feature-the extraordinary brilliancy of their eyes, which gleam like fire. They were all well mounted, the horses for l the most part being adorned with silver bits
 and ornaments, the stirrups also in many
 cases being of silver. A piece of timber | twenty feet high, with mans face carved on | it, was embedded in the ground in the cen ter of the circle of Indians, and understood l that it was the custom to swear by this.
 They believed in god, creator of the uni
 verse; immortality of the soul; in polygamy,
 and in the purchase system as applied to matrlmony. They possess many oood oua1; l ties-are faithful, Courageous. shd have e1-
 traord1nary memories. One of their char acteristics is inordinate laziness I never l saw them out of their huts until eleven 1 o'clock in the morning, and then they would saunter forth and stretch themselves on the