The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1889-07-13
IMPRESSIONS OF ALASKA.
Experiences of Baltimore Journalist In
That Land.

Experiences OF "A Baltimore Journalist In
That Land.
Christianity and civilization, az We
understand these terms are not making
much Roadway in our icy possessions in
Alaska. A SIX months trip over this
meagerly- known part of the world has
convinced Mr.. Herbert Aldrich, now Il
resident OF Baltimore, that our brother,
the Alaskan EsquImau, has great deal
to learn from his American compatrIots
to whom Russia sold this costly province
for big lump of gold nearly score of
years ago. The Alaskans, from what Mr..
Aldrich saw of them. are a decidedly in.
terestlug race. In social peculiarities.
modes aud habits of life, they differ in no
material respect fran their next door
neighbor, the Siberia", who inhabits the
northeastern part of 1.sia. Except in
language, and in this the difference is not
great, they may be looked upon as almost
one people. Though living under different
governments, the Alaskan owing allie
glance to the United, States. and the Sib.
erian to the Autocrat of All Russias, both
have the highest admiration for the
Americans, and the most lively detesta
ton OF the Russians. This aversion may
be traced in great measure to business
reasons. The American merchant deals
literally with the E>quimaux, while the
Russian trader, who seldom comes among
them, squeezes them hard whenever op.
portunity offers. On board the trading
vessels where the Alaskaus and Sibe rians
frequently meet, the Captains are often
appealed 10 to settle quarrels between
them as to their claims of nationality.
Both are anxious to be considered Ameri
cans, and often the commanders of the
ship have hard time to convince the in
habitant of the other side of the strai,
that he is a subject of the Gar and not
under the protection of the Stars and
Stripes. The decision is invariably re-
ceived with sorrow by the hoored contes.
tant, who, to the last, claims to be an
American.
The Alaskans, as well as their brethren
on the Siberian borders, are indeed a
peculiar people. Their religious insttu-
tiOns, if such they may be called, have
no resemblance to those of any other
semi civilized race. Their whole deolog,
is comprised in good aud an evil spirit
The good spirit they do not worship. Be
ing good, they know he will not trouble
them, and invocatlons to him are con
srdered a vanity of vanitIes. To appease
the evil spirit, however, is their constani
care, and to him their alterations are ad-
dressed. They do not worship in TEN
pies made by human hands, and it is in
the open air that their few iucantations
are offered to propi late the evil deity |
The name by which the good spirit is |
known is the same as that of the masto
don, remains of which are found in album
dance in the northwestern part of Alaska |
n H., =
this is thus, the Esquimaux of the pre-
sent day knoweth not. But this coiuci-
dence of names suggests that perhaps. |
away back in the ages, the race wor
SHIPPED the mas todon as the impersonitica
ton of strength aud power. and as the
source of all good in the physical world.
the mythology of other nations. some
thing akin to this may be found. Thouga
the worship of the mastodon has ceased,
the similarity of names remains. What
lends color to this supposition is str ,ng,.
practice which prevails almost univer
sally in the remote sections OF the couu
try Every Esquimau Ito the manner
born considers it his religious duty to
wear near each eud of his mouth but
ton. or piece of ivory, which, as they pro
trude from the lips, are supposed to be
limitations of the tusks of the mastodon
Why this custom is observed or how IT.
originated none of the Esquimaux couli
tell MT. Aldrich. All they knew was
that their fathers did it before them"
aud taught them to follow their example.
Some OF the old psople are disseminating
the habit among tneir children. They
want their children they say, to be Ink
The Alaskan has no day of rest-np