i6 
toner's address. 
mals preceded man. But possessing neither the abihty 
nor the time for so systematic a study, I will commence 
with the Indian of North America, who to most of us 
is only known from what we glean of him through a 
casual perusal of history. An opportunity was now 
afforded us of seeing something of this race on its 
native soil, with habits but little altered by association 
with the whites, as, dressed in their wild costume, they 
congregated about the railroad stations, or were en- 
camped along the streams in view from the train. 
Naturally enough the inquiry was suggested to us, as 
it had often been to others, are the Indians a type of a 
primitive race who, if left to themselves, in time would 
have developed and become familiar with the arts and 
appliances which so distinguish, if they do not consti- 
tute, civilization? Or must we view the Indian as 
having once belonged to a civilized race which has 
from some cause degenerated into the savage state in 
which we find it?"^ 
An examination of the data for opinions on this sub- 
ject shows us that the majority of the tribes and nations 
of the earth were, in the dawn of history, in a condi- 
tion of savagery or barbarism. This view accords with 
the more recent discoveries, and renders it very proba- 
ble that all races, nations, and peoples were in their be- 
ginning in a state of savagery, without articulate lan- 
guage or a knowledge of any of the arts, or even the 
use of fire.f 
This theory is maintained by Archbishop Whately and those who 
view the subject from a purely theological and traditionary stand-point. 
f See the works of Morgan, Lyell, Lubbock, Baldwin, Rau, and 
others. 
