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Show 40 INTKODUCTION TO THE STUDY OP INDIAN LANGUAGES. lects, are sometimes united into confederacies, and tribes or confederacies are sometimes united into leagues for temporary purposes. The boundary line between confederacy and league cannot be definitely drawn. The common noun for tribe and confederacy, or league, is not always discovered with ease. On the other hand, the proper noun for the tribe, confederacy, or league, is not always easily discovered. Perhaps the proper noun and common noun for confederacy and league are always the same. Indian people usually have a word signifying " one of us," or " a person of our tribe, or confederacy;" one signifying " Indian," another signifying " white man." Among southwestern tribes two such terms are used, one denoting those who came from the south- chiefly Spaniards- and another denoting those who came from the east. The institution of fellowhood is widely spread. This custom may be briefly described as follows: Two young men agree to be life friends, " more than brothers" to each other, like David and Jonathan, and Damon and Pythias. They reveal to each other all their secrets, perform religious rites together, and each is sworn to defend the other from all harm. § 19.- GOVEBNMENT. In Indian government civil and military affairs are differentiated. The organization for civil government will first be explained. Among those tribes whose numbers are large, the gentile organization is at the basis of civil government A council is the legislature and court of the gens, of the tribe, and the confederacy, respectively. It might be better to say that the council is the court whose decisions are law. The council of the gens is composed of the heads of its families, and selects the gentile chief. If mother- right prevails the gentile council may be composed of women, and the elected chief, who is a man. This chief will not be the husband of any of the heads of households, but must be a brother or son. If father- right prevails the council will be composed exclusively of men. The council of the tribe seems to be constituted in various ways, sometimes of the gentile counselors united, sometimes of the gentile chiefs united, or in other ways. There may also be a grand council of the tribe composed of all of the heads of households The presiding officer of the |
