But little account can or need be given of the savage tribes inhabiting
the continent when it first became known to the civilized world.
Men multiplied on the earth and spread themselves widely over its
habitable portions for ages, during which, in their dispersion, little
was known by the clans of each other, or of the world beyond their local
habitations. The few imperfect records made were not lasting, and the
generations following often lost all knowledge of their own origin.
In most European countries the once uncultured savage tribes either
improving, through their own exertions, escaped by degrees from the
effete barbarisms of their ancestors, or when overcome by foes of
superior intelligence, they profited by their subjugation, and, accepting
the better civilization of their conquerors, became important factors in
the provincial governments that were established. These carried with them
a little legendary knowledge. The earliest historians, as Herodotus and
others, recorded many of their legends that were mere fancies—unauthentic
fabrications relating to their pre-historic days.
We have no such mythical elements in American history, particularly in
the history of the United States. The first inhabitants (wild men of the
forest) were possibly as rude and superstitious as any in the Orient.
But the North American Indians of our region were never, unless in a few
exceptional cases, made integral parts of the new communities established
in the country. When friendly relations were sought they made treaties,
retiring from the grounds they sold; and, when subject to hostile attack,
they fell or fled before the invaders. Without letters or art, the rude
monuments they left had little significance. Their few oral traditions
did not descend to them from days very remote, and their origin is
wrapped in mystery. From what branch of the human family their ancestors
came, or by what route they reached the continent, is not known.
If all the tribes had a common origin in this country it evidently must
have been very remote, as they were found widely different in language
and other tribal peculiarities. Some resemblance may be traced, but only
by long separation and different modes of life could members of the same
family become so dissimilar.
The number of Indians previous to the settlement of the country by
European colonists can only be estimated. It was great, and they spread
over most parts of the continent. That it was overestimated is probable.
Not much given to planting or building, but living principally by the
chase, and on what the earth produced without tillage, they were more or
less nomadic in their habits, and the bounds of their habitation not well
defined. Yet, as tribes, they appropriated lands, and counted at least
the number of their warriors who could go out to battle.
The great nations—the Esquimaux, Algonquins, Iroquois, Mobillians and
Dacotas seem to have been confederacies, each made up of several tribes,
usually acting together in war; but, in peace, content to occupy their
own hunting grounds. But a small number of all the Indians now on the
continent are within the bounds of the United States, and the number is
growing less. That the wild men of the forest vanish before the advancing
hosts of civilization is doubtless true. The whole number at present
in all the states and territories, including Alaska, probably does
not exceed 200,000, much the larger number being women and children;
a pitiable remnant of the one hundred and fifty-two tribes of warlike
men, whose braves were a terror to their foes. The Cherokees, Creeks,
Choctaws, Chickisaws, now in the Indian Territory, with the remnants of
tribes that remain on small reservations in the states, in all about
50,000, are in a more hopeful condition. They have already a good degree
of civilization, and many of them cordially accept the teachings and
institutions of Christianity. They have their homes, schools, ministers
and churches. They practice the industries of civilized life, and in
their moral and religious habits are scarcely inferior to their white
neighbors. These may in time take their places as states in the Union,
or personally become citizens of other states, as they elect. If they
do not, extinction seems to be inevitable. They may receive, as they
should, kind and liberal treatment. But to remain very long wards of the
government, retaining a distinct nationality in the midst of powerful
and rapidly increasing communities, from whom they are separated by no
sufficient natural boundaries, is simply impossible. The only hope for
them is in citizenship, collectively or personally obtained.
The physical character of the country will be best understood when spoken
of in connection with the political divisions. It presents as much
variety as any other great section of the globe. There is both beauty
and grandeur. The intelligent beholder from other shores is impressed
with the vastness of what he sees. There are great prairies, plains and
forests—with trees the largest in the world; great lakes, rivers and
cataracts; magnificent mountain ranges, abounding in scenery as grand as
the eye need look upon. It was just the place in which to found a great
empire, and build institutions to last for ages.