. League of the Ho-dé-no-sau-nee, or Iroquois . ed in the members of the Ruhng Body jointly,a Council of the Oligarchs becomes the instrumen-tality through which the will of this body is ascer-tained and enforced. For this reason the Councilsof the Irocpois are important subjects of investiga-tion. By them were exercised all the legislativeand executive authority incident to the League, andnecessary for its security against outward attack andinternal dissensions. When the sachems were notassembled around the general council-fire, the gov-ernment itself had no visible existence. Upon nopoint, t
. League of the Ho-dé-no-sau-nee, or Iroquois . ed in the members of the Ruhng Body jointly,a Council of the Oligarchs becomes the instrumen-tality through which the will of this body is ascer-tained and enforced. For this reason the Councilsof the Irocpois are important subjects of investiga-tion. By them were exercised all the legislativeand executive authority incident to the League, andnecessary for its security against outward attack andinternal dissensions. When the sachems were notassembled around the general council-fire, the gov-ernment itself had no visible existence. Upon nopoint, therefore, can an examination be better di-rected, to ascertain the degree of power vested inthe Ruling Body, and the manner in which theirdomestic administration, and political relations wereconducted. When the sachems were scattered, likethe people, over a large territory, they exercised alocal and individual authority in the matters ofevery-day life, or in national council jointly adjustedthe affairs of their respective nations. Those higher. AH -SO-QUA-TA, PIPES Ch. v.] COUNCILS OF THE IROQUOIS. 105 and more important concernments, wliicli involvedthe interests of the League, were reserved to thesachems in general council. In this council residedthe animating principle, by which their politicalmachinery was moved. It was, in effect, the gov-ernment. The oligarchical form of government is notwithout its advantages, although indicative of a lowstate of civilization. A comparison of views, by theagency of a council, would at any time be favorableto the development of talent. It was especially thecase among the Iroquois, in consequence of thegreater diversity of interests, and the more extendedreach of affairs incident to several nations in closealliance. Events of greater magnitude would springup in the midst of a flourishing confederacy, than ina nation of inconsiderable importance; and it isdemonstrated by the political history of all govern-ments, that men develop intellect
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Keywords: ., bo, bookcentury1800, bookdecade1850, booksubjectnamesgeographical
