In the lowest grade it is declared that if the man shall thereafter continue in the commission of similar crimes, it will be lawful for any person to kill him; and if killed, rightfully or wrongfully, his clan will not avenge his death.

Outlawry of the highest degree makes it the duty of any member of the tribe who may meet with the offender to kill him.

MILITARY GOVERNMENT.

The management of military affairs inheres in the military council and chief.  The military council is composed of all the able-bodied men of the tribe; the military chief is chosen by the council from the Porcupine gens.  Each gentile chief is responsible for the military training of the youth under his authority.  There is usually one or more potential military chiefs, who are the close companions and assistants of the chief in time of war, and in case of the death of the chief, take his place in the order of seniority.

Prisoners of war are adopted into the tribe or killed.  To be adopted into the tribe, it is necessary that the prisoner should be adopted into some family.  The warrior taking the prisoner has the first right to adopt him, and his male or female relatives have the right in the order of their kinship.  If no one claims the prisoner for this purpose, he is caused to run the gauntlet as a test of his courage.

If at his trial he behaves manfully, claimants are not wanting, but if he behaves disgracefully he is put to death.

FELLOWHOOD.

There is an interesting institution found among the Wyandots, as among some other of our North American tribes, namely, that of fellowhood.  Two young men agree to be perpetual friends to each other, or more than brothers.  Each reveals to the other the secrets of his life, and counsels with him on matters of importance, and defends him from wrong and violence, and at his death is chief mourner.

* * * * *

The government of the Wyandots, with the social organization upon which it is based, affords a typical example of tribal government throughout North America.  Within that area there are several hundred distinct governments.  In so great a number there is great variety, and in this variety we find different degrees of organization, the degrees of organization being determined by the differentiation of the functions of the government and the correlative specialization of organic elements.

Much has yet to be done in the study of these governments before safe generalizations may be made.  But enough is known to warrant the following statement: 

Tribal government in North America is based on kinship in that the fundamental units of social organization are bodies of consanguineal kindred either in the male or female line; these units being what has been well denominated “gentes.”