University of Virginia Library

5. The Cherokee Indians

I will undertake to give the public through the columns of the Record1, a narrative of the Cherokee people. In doing so my purpose will be to touch only such portions of the character of these people that are not treated by historians in detail. Ancient days concealed from the European classics the Western Spartan school of human endurance until a vast gulf of overwhelming tides of Eastern hordes are heedlessly obliterating the type of manhood developed here in America long before the science of the navigator's compass was discovered.

My purpose is to let history severely alone, as revealed on historic pages and welcome critics from these pages in opposition to a lifetime of observation. The Cherokee Indians are of two distinct types, identified by dialects of the same language; one type evidently having been developed in a southern climate, being soft and musical in tone; the opposite type was as evidently developed in a cold climate, being harsh and accompanied by a whirling r--r--r sound. It is known as the Overhill Cherokee Language. Evidently the tribe had long been separated and had rejoined each other again. The ancient Cherokees have said their creation was far above the earth, that they were brought down to the surface of the earth on a white cloud which brought them to the summit of the Wa-si-o-ta Mountains, on the head waters of the Tennessee River. In spite of academic history we may admit their having traditions truly of some remote advent in their existence at the mountains mentioned. It is not far south from there to a semi-tropical country on the Gulf coast where one type probably developed the soft dialect. Neither is it far north to the mountain ranges of Pennsylvania, where the other dialect may have been developed. These facts are evidence that the Cherokees are the Aborigines of the scope of country termed the Allegheny range to the Gulf. Peculiar shell mounds of that region have been attributed to have been built by the Cherokees. Some historians have advanced evidence of this theory. Let them speak for themselves. Historians have differed in classifying this tribe. Some say they are Iroquoys [sic]. Some say they are of the Muskoki-Choctaw [sic] type, while others say they are of a type peculiar to themselves. I am inclined to adhere to the latter view, for the following reasons: There is too much of the Cherokee language peculiar from all other Indian language. The Mohawks of the Iroquois call fire the same as the Cherokees do. Cold is the same. Mountain is the same, but this is continued on to the Muskogee word for ground. The Muskogee name for cedar, white oak, buzzard, nightingale, buffalo, teeth, etc., is the same as the Cherokee. This is accounted for by there having been a system of inter-tribal religion, termed Sacred Science of the Seven Lakes, taught throughout all the tribes, which commended peace by white beads among them. The names of the animals, birds, articles and elements above mentioned were symbols used among all the tribes to indicate certain philosophic classics of the Sacred Science of the Seven Lakes, and did not indicate any kindred of the tribes. Among the Creeks, Choctaws, and Chickasaws, the similarity is caused by the adoption by the Creeks words of the Heechectees [sic] and the Alabamas of the Choctaw type of Indians. The Cherokees connect in the Sacred Science alone to all other tribes. Except the manner of saying no, yes, none, and to indicate a tribe the term ne, just as the Euchees and the Athabascan tribes of the West do by saying tee-ne. By that source, the Cherokees may be the cousins of the Apache and Navahos of the West.

The dry, grim, firm, stoic face of the old time Cherokee failed to conceal the laughing smile and exultant feelings of the soul displayed by the brilliant dark eyes of this people. You may know them wherever you meet them, for they far excel the Spaniards of Castile for brilliant, passionate eyes.

Pride of courage was the greatest passion. This characteristic, when in fortunate channels has led to their abnormal advancement to civilization and admiration of people from the East. In unfortunate channels, deplorable results have followed, even to the extent of two brothers dying in mortal combat from a moment's misunderstanding. It was deemed a disgrace for any person to boast of his merits. The world was supposed to know those merits without the possessor having to recite them. All of these characteristics, however, have been modified by civilization, Christianity, and inter-marriage with the white race. A very white Cherokee may now tell of some of his own merits, sometimes to the edification of his companions' laughing eyes.

The Cherokees are now developing into a shrewd business people. Their highways and byways are as safe as a child's cradle. Their bright eyes have borrowed a new gleam from the white man, looking out for the next dollar, guessing the size of his customer's abilities or infirmities. If you deal with him, keep your eyes open and watch his eyes revealing his thoughts. He is now a citizen of the United States. He is a Cherokee still, all the same.

History will tell you the balance of their story.

Cherokee Advocate, June 8, 1901.