A POPULAR HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, FROM THE ABORIGINAL TIMES ΤΟ THE PRESENT DAY. EMBRACING AN ACCOUNT OF THE ABORIGINES; THE NORSEMEN IN THE NEW WORLD; THE OF SETTLEMENTS; THE GROWTH OF THE COLONIES; THE STRUGGLE FOR LIBERTY IN THE REVOLUTION; THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE UNION; THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NATION; THE CIVIL WAR; THE CENTENNIAL OF INDE- OF THE REPUBLIC. THE WHOLE BROUGHT DOWN TO THE YEAR 1887. BY JOHN CLARK RIDPATH, LL.D., AUTHOR OF RIDPATH'S SCHOOL HISTORIES OF THE UNITED STATES, and a CYCLOPEDIA OF Illustrated with Maps, Charts, Portraits, and Diagrams. THE JONES BROTHERS PUBLISHING COMPANY, DEAR PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES: By this, my Preface, I offer to you a New History of your country—and mine. The work is presented in the form of an abridged narrative. My reasons for such a venture are brief, but, I trust, satisfactory: First, to every American citizen some knowledge of the history of his country is indispensable. The attainment of that knowledge ought to be made easy and delightful. Second, the Centennial of the Republic furnishes an auspicious occasion for the study of those great events which compose the warp and woof of the new civilization in the West. This book is intended for the average American; for the man of business who has neither time nor disposition to plod through ten or twenty volumes of elaborate historical dissertation; for the practical man of the shop, the counter, and the plow. The work is dedicated to the household and the library of the working man. It is inscribed to the father, the mother, the son, and the daughter of the American family. If father, mother, son, and daughter shall love their country better-if they shall understand more clearly and appreciate more fully the founding, progress, and growth of liberty in the New World—the author will be abundantly repaid. 664447 In the preparation of the work the following objects have been kept in view: I. To give an accurate and spirited Narrative of the principal events in our National history from the aboriginal times to the present day. II. To discuss the Philosophy of that history as fully as possible within the narrow limits of the work. III. To avoid all Partiality, Partisanship, and Prejudice, as things dangerous, baneful, and wicked. IV. To preserve a clear and systematic Arrangement of the several subjects, giving to every fact, whether of peace or war, its true place and importance in the narrative. V. To give an Objective Representation by means of charts, maps, drawings, and diagrams, of all the more important matters in the history of the nation. VI. To secure a Style and Method in the book itself which shall be in keeping with the spirit and refinement of the times. Whether these important ends have been attained, dear People, it is not my province but yours to decide. I have labored earnestly to reach the ideal of such a work, and if success has not rewarded the effort, the failure has been in the execution rather than in the plan and purpose. I surrender the book, thus undertaken and completed, to You for whom it was intended. With diffidence I ask a considerate judgment and just recognition of whatever worth the work may be found to possess. INDIANA ASBURY UNIVERSITY, January 1, 1883. J. C. R. CONTENTS. What constitutes a period in history.-The period of the Aborigines.-The second 39, 40. THE RED MEN-ORIGIN, DISTRIBUTION, CHARACTER. The Indians.-Their name accounted for.-Differences between them and the Asiatics. The origin of the Indian races unknown.-Theories controverted.-The question likely to remain unsolved.-Language may give us light.-The Red men Gan- owanians. Habits of that race.-Divisions of the aboriginal nations.--The Esqui- maux. Their manner of life.-The race of Algonquins.-Their distribution.-And character. The Huron-Iroquois.-Their domain.-Nature of their confederation.— Their influence and character.-The Southern races.-Cherokees.-Mobilians.-Man- ners and characteristics.-The Dakotas.-Their limits.-The Comanches.-The na- tions beyond the Mountains.-Shoshonees.-Selish.—Klamaths.-Californians.-Aztecs and Toltecs of old.-The Indian character in general. Sense of personal inde- pendence.-Passion for war.-Principles of war.—And of peace.—The Indian unsocial and solitary. His family organization.-The European family.-Diagram thereof.- Indian method.-And diagram.--Aboriginal government.-Powers and limitations.— Native religion.-Beliefs of the Red men.-' Indian house. Utensils.-Weapons.—Clothing.-Decorations.-Paint.—And writing.— The savage tongues.-Peculiarities of Indian speech.-Personal appearance of the aborigines. Stature.-Features.-Bodily habit.-Indian amusements.-The dance.- Other sports.-Gaming. The use of tobacco.-Strong drinks.-Indian prospects.- |