312 POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS. 



on the discussion ; while the larger part, formed of the young, 

 the weak, and the undistinguished, will be listeners, who 

 usually do no more than express from time to time assent or 

 dissent. A further inference may safely be drawn. In the 

 cluster of leading men there is sure to be one whose weight 

 is greater than that of any other some aged hunter, some 

 distinguished warrior, some cunning medicine-man, who will 

 have more than his individual share in forming the resolution 

 finally acted upon. That is to say, the entire assemblage will 

 resolve itself into three parts. To use a biological metaphor, 

 there will, out of the general mass, be differentiated a nucleus 

 and a nucleolus. 



These first traces of political structure which we infer 

 a priori must spontaneously arise, we find have arisen among 

 the rudest peoples : repetition having so strengthened them 

 as to produce a settled order. When, among the aborigines 

 of Victoria, a tribe plans revenge on another tribe supposed 

 to have killed one of its members, &quot; a council is called of all 

 the old men of the tribe. . . The women form an outer 

 circle round the men. . . The chief [simply a native of 

 influence ] opens the council.&quot; And what we here see hap 

 pening in an assemblage having no greater differences than 

 those based on strength, age, and capacity, happens when, 

 later, these natural distinctions have gained definiteness. In 

 illustration may be named the account which Schoolcraft 

 gives of a conference at which the Chippewas, Ottawas, and 

 Potto wattomies met certain United States Commissioners : 

 Schoolcraft being himself present. After the address of the 

 head commissioner had been delivered, the speaking on be 

 half of the Indians was carried on by the principal chiefs : 

 the lead being taken by &quot; a man venerable for his age and 

 standing.&quot; Though Schoolcraft does not describe the as 

 semblage of undistinguished people, yet that they were pre 

 sent is shown by a passage in one of the native speeches : 

 &quot; Behold ! see my brethren, both young and old the warriors 

 and chiefs the women and children of my nation.&quot; And 



