The American Nations, Vol. I.: Or, Outlines of a National History of the Ancient and Modern Nations of North and South AmericaRafinesque, C. S. (Constantine Samuel)
History
The American Nations, Vol. I.: Or, Outlines of a National History of the Ancient and Modern Nations of North and South America
Rafinesque, C. S. (Constantine Samuel)
Indians; Indians -- Origin; Taino Indians; Taino language
Under the pious guise of hypocrisy, the heavenly religion of Jesus, was
offered or forced upon many American nations, by the same men, who were
behaving worse than heathens, worshipping gold and mammon with the earth
itself, bathed in human blood and tears; introducing slavery and over
toils; exulting in deeds of cruelty, revenge, wanton lust, cupidity and
avarice; with all the other anti-christian vices. If Mexico had ghastly
idols and cruel rites; Hayti, Cuba, Bogota, Peru &c. had not; but
peaceful, harmless worships: to which was substituted the papal worships
of other idols, saints and monks. The pure undefiled religion of love and
peace to all mankind, was seldom introduced in America, even by the
Jesuits—except by the heavenly Las-Casas, the friendly quakers, the humane
moravians, and a few other christian missionaries. All the sects of
christianity have now spread to America, and even some arisen there; nay,
the Jews have reached this continent, with a few Mahometans, Hindus,
Chinese, Budhists &c. Thus all the religions of the earth are now found in
this hemisphere, by the tolerance and freedom of opinions lately
proclaimed in many parts.
Great has been the influence of 3 or 4 ages, on the American tribes, that
have been enslaved, or in frequent communication with the nations of
Europe—not in religion alone; but in dress, manners, knowledge,
civilization and pursuits. The alphabetical writing has been introduced
among them, the Tzulukis have invented a syllabic alphabet; some arts, and
the pastoral nomadic life have been adopted. In the boreal regions, the
English and Russians employ the hunting tribes as providers of furs. In
South America the native tribes are often skillful fishermen or traders.
Upon the whole, the late prospects of America are cheering. Many
independent nations have sprung, which deem themselves Americans, and love
their homes. A general spirit of tolerance and peace is spreading, the
true religion of the heart better understood; and a disposition is
evincing to render tardy justice to the oppressed tribes, and the poor
slaves. Those who wish oppression and intolerance to be perpetuated, are
not many in this continent, at present; they will be fewer still in half a
century or the year 1892.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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