Rensselaer Republican, Volume 13, Number 4, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 October 1880 — The Original Indians. [ARTICLE]

The Original Indians.

In an article in Ftfter'e American JfmtfUj Gen. Brisbin attempts to prove that the Indian is of Asiatic origin. In summing np bis feds he says: “Perhaps Urn strongest proof that oar Indians are from Asia is in tbe fact that the nomadic tribes of Alaska are related to the Kamtchalkas, and even now pqps and repass Behring Straits. A tribe has lately been found in Alaska speaking the same language that is spokeu in Kamchatka; and still Airtber, as if to remove all obstacles to the belief that the North American Indian is from Asia, I am assured many tribes on )>oUi sides of tbe straits are identical in manners, habits, and customs. While tbe geography of the western hemisphere was unknown, tbe origin of our Indians could not lie otherwise than a matter of conjecture; but now that the locality of tribes and the characteristics of oar country are known, we can with almost certainity establish the nativity of the Ked Man. It is not withiu tbe scope of this article to enter into (briber particulars concerning this interesting subject, but I will remark that sixty-mne authorities examined all point to the same conclusion, and it can be satisfactorily proved our Indians are Asiatics: First, by their similarity of features and complexions. Second, by similarity of languages. Third, by similarity of religion. Fourth, by similarity of dress and ornaments. Fifth, by similarity of marriages. Sixth, by similarity of methods of making war. ■Seventh, by similarity of dauces. Eighth, by similarity of sacrifices. Ninth, by similarity of funeral rites. Tenth, liy similarity of festivals and lieliefs concerning dreams. Eleventh, by similarity of games. Twelfth, by similarity of practice in naming children. Thirteenth, by similarity of dwellings. Fourteenth, by similarity in forms of government.”