The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-11-27
Ancient Americans.

Tie Western world was occupied, when
discovered by Columbus by race which
etbnologists now regard as OF high an
tiquity, and though Of so great variety,
yet Of single origin. II has been imagined
that the natives OF tho tropics were Malays,
and Of the Northern zones, Mongols. There
is no evidence OF this other than the pos
sibilty OF Mongols reaching the continent
by way OF Berhng Straits and the Malays
by way Of the Southern Pacific Islands.
Tii' re is nothing in language, or aaght else.
TO indicate the relationship or the Amerl-
can natives with either race All OF then,
Of both continents, not including the III
NUTS or Eskimo, have four chara ter
istics in common; straight cylindrical mar,
thin beard. brown complexion and polysyn-
thetic language. While there are nc whl,e
and no black men among them. the shadeS
OF brown vary from nearly black 10 nearly
white. These mental characteristics marx
all: Stoicism. taciturnity. courage and tho
development Of the Imagination at the ex'
pc lse OF the logical faculties. Among them
all elouuence was priced. In the civilized
III tions OF Mexico, and On southwark 10
Peru and Chill, the cultivation OF oratory
WAS carried to extremes. Speech making
occupied much of the time or the people
of leisure Enough specimens have oeeh
preserved to show that the orators were
capable Ct dealing we'll with subjects IN
moral philosophy religion and social econ
Omy Among the savage tribes eloquence
had the merit OF brevity. 1t was dlgnlneu'
serious and direct With limited yocaou-
larry aud limited knowledge, II was OF
necessity that they employed the most
striking scenes and phenomena or nature
They were susceptible to pathos, but never
TO humor. 1t was stoical pathos when
"a %
which knew nothing OF pity. and had, there
fore an apparent loftness. The prevailing
tone OF the more civilized nations was
sombre and sad.
More archaeological evidences CT the high
antiquity Of man have been found IN the
two Americas than in Europe or else
where-and these at widely separated
pojpts-jn the gravels Of New jersey, the
delta OF Louisiana and in those ancient
valleys Of California which were nlled oy
the lava Of now extinct volcanoes. Slnlllar
finds have been made in South America
1t appears. therefore, that the progress
toward civilization was very slow. WAT
progress was made by the inhabitants OF
the Mississippi Valley was lost. people
Of settled agricultural habits, who left am
ME monuments Of their civilization, totally
dsappeared. The North American Indians
we're at the time Of the discovery III IN
favorable conditions for progress, ana most
e these have continued In operation ahtH
recently. One was the stationary condluon
OF population. Indian women were so eA-
hausted by drudgery aud abuse that they
bore but few shildren, and or these large
proportion died in infancy. The murderous
tribal wars further hlndered increase. The
abundance of wild animals and fish, ia
Droporticn TO the human population en-
conrored the continuance OF the hunter
state and discouraged industry. Still, they
were making progress. Agriculture was
nrocticed to a limited extent in what are
now the Northern States, and much more
LARGELY by the Cherokees and other South
crn tribes. while in the civilized nations
further South it was the CHER reliance lor
food. Now tribal wars have ceased anu
regular supplies Of healthy food are more
general.
If the Indians could be exempted from
civilized vices they would rapidly increase
They have always mixed to advantage win
Euroneans The half-breeds are more VIZ
orous than the pure blcods. The most pro-
life Of the Indians now are those WHICH
have French blood. These have large lam,
lies Of healthy children. Very muca the
best example OF the possibilities In TINS
direction are the Chilians. The natives
were nm exceptionally good original stoch'
well protected by the Andes and the sea-
with a fine climate and good general conu'-
tlons. They were the only Indians VINO
were able in the open field, TO use tneir
rude weapons and whip the spanialus
armed with musketry. They cooiy eA,
posed themselves to the first yoiley anu
then rushed to close quarters Ihey were
never conquered. They now FORM tne
proudest, most ambitious ana enterprlslus
f,a
movers II only needed the discovery OK
the arr ~ smelling iron to make them the
nucleus Ct powerful native CIVILIZATION
(hifaUo Interior.