The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-24
ESKIMO SOCIAL LAWS
A SYSTEM OF LIFE WHICH SPEAKS A
TRULY CHRISTIAN SPIRIT.
Explorer hansen Thinks Their Social
istic Methods Perpetuate Laws
of American Indians.
Correspondence of the indianapolis Journal.

interest TO America, a. Ii proclaims the
new world the cradle of social order on
high ethical basis, such reformers like
Tolstoi, Bolton Hall. Ernest Howard Cros-
by and others wish TO re-establish.
The following extracts are quoted from
the original manuscript:
1.-The laws of Greenland are socialism in
its highest form more Christian than those
of any Christian state: they come, accord
ing to my investigations, from Alaska, the
Eskimos' original home.
THAT the American Indians possessed a
socialistic-communisti organization there
can be no doubt: mores the pity that, to
study the remnants of original American
culture. one has to go to the least attrac-
tive and commercial and industrially bar
rem parts of the world
1T is the fashion nowadays to admire
Americans, but of all peoples l know. the
original American-the Eskimo-is certain
ly the most moral and lovable of DISPOSE
ton. The Eskimos, who Danish mission
aries of the eighteenth century, men with
out sense or heart, called insane cold
blooded. goddess. stupid and undisciplined"
"a certificate of character quickly not to
say eagerly. accepted by the majority of
islanders are, in fact. good-natured, peace
full and sensitive to a fault of their fellow
mems rights and comforts Heather they
are, but if the Nazarene himself had
preached among them, His principles could
not have left a more vivid impress.
II never heard anybody use cross word
toward anybody else during my long and
repeated stays in Greenland. Such thing
as passing the lie is unheard of. moreover,
the Eskimo is careful not to voice truth
that might CRATE on the ears of another.
Even in respect to such ordinary matters
as wind and weather. he employs uncer-
tain terms rather than make reply liable
to give offense.
Theft is almost unknown in Greenland,
but it does happen once in a while-so
many Europeans go there! But an Eskimo
seldom or never demands the return of
property or punishment of the offender,
even If he has caught the thief-that, too,
without knowing Luke vi, 80: And of him
that taketh away thy goods, ask them not
again.
From early writings learn that the
American Indians life was regulated &C.
cording to ideas which nowadays pass for
advanced Many of them have survived
in Eskimoland in the shape of unwritten
laws. recognized by all, disregarded by
few.
THE PRINCIPAL LAW.
1.-THE Eskimc's first and principal law is
to help others (Give to every man that
asketh Of thee Luke vi, 3O)-name, If you
can, a more Christian principle, or one
more in accordance with the much-ap-
plauded ideas of Tolstoi and his followers.
The principle Of private property is not un-
known, but applies only to a small group of
things not essential to life and health.
Recognition of the fact that each man,
woman and child has right to shelter. to
food and drink Is the basis of all social
order is Eskimoland. as it was and is the
basis of social order among American In
dams. Houses and tents are not individual
property, but belong primarily to the fam
lily, next to all relatives who might be
without a roof, and finally, to neighbors
and villagers, so that, whenever a native
is deprived Of home for some reason or
another, he has the right to ask shelter of
another person possessing one-this with
out becoming a mendicant or bother.
AS the American of to-day exempts a
workmans tools from seizure because it
would be against public policy to deprive
any one of the means Of earning a liveli-
hood, an Eskimos boat, nets and similar
apparatus are his individual property that
nobody dare touch without permission from
him. Wherever he leaves them they must
not be regarded as abandoned; himself or
family may claim them at any time.
This idea that a mans tools are pecu-
liarly and particularly his is carried to such
extremes that If a net, boat or other utensil
loaned Is lost the damage Is borne by the
original proprietor, not by the party direct
ly. or indirectly. responsible. Here, then,
we have queer mix-up of private and COM
mon property.
Dogs and sledges, women's sewing ma
terial. knives. axes. saws, etc, are likewise
regarded private property because neces-
sary to every family's comfort and life
even,' as my Eskimo informants said; so is
driftwood. for no one can do without
All the Eskimo must do to claim it lis to
drag the lumber ashore and put his mark
on it. Unless one cares to earn the reputa-
tion of despicable character no one will
thereafter touch the wood.
MANY houses are occupied by several
families. some being the original owners or
builders, others claiming hospitality for
some reason or other. That intensely hui
man claim gives them a sort of lien on the
property; they become co-propretors.
LAS to real estate outside OF houses, the
Eskimo. courteous as he is. never pitches
his tent or builds house on foreign terri
tory without asking his new neighbor's
leave, which is always granted with hearth
est approval
TO PROVIDE FOOD.
'Tn the distribution of food the commu-
nistic-socialistic principle finds its most eIo-
quent expression. The commonest of game,
| Greenland seal, belongs ipso to the man
| who catches him. yet he is required to
| give a piece of bacon to each child in the
| village and other parts of the meat to
| hungry fishermen whom he may meet on
| the way home. Only the main portion of
the carcass is his, in accordance with the
| law of necessity. Other rarer species of
] seal caught. are divided up among the fish
| ermens gang. who usually work together;
| of still other species, walrus, etc. every
| household gets a piece. the hunter who
| brought down the game receiving no more
| than the rest.
| The above applies in particular TO all
| sorts of whale. Indeed, of the white whale.
| the hunter, even If unassisted at the task of
! When a white whale is caught all the VIII
| layers turn out and surround the carcass
| to get their portion, while the head man