The Delaware gazette. [volume] (Wilmington [Del.]) 1809-1810, 1809-10-04

pose to say, that in the estimation of the whole
community, cKccp. that portion OF ltwhlch from
their position is exposed to perpetual collisions OF
| interest or passion. they are consdered.as en-
titled to al! that Justice and humanity which are
| compatible with gradual encroachment on and
occupation of their grounds. There can be no
| doubt Of the moral right OF civilized commune
| ty, it progresses III numbers, 10 appropriate
to the OF its ctzsns. the tracts OF Land III the
| previous occupation OF savages; because the
very condition in which the latter are implies
their total inability to render it the instrument OF
| that bencticcnce which 4 was Intended by the
author OF nature to bcstow on the human race.
But, while this right in the abstract is justly
viewed as indisputable, i, is nevertheless subject
| to conditions and limitations which are equally
binding on the civilized community. II is the
duty OF the latter to obtain possession OF It, II
| possible, By pacific means, and even TO make
considerable sacrifices OF their immediate interest
to secure this end if compelled eventually to
resort to force, to apply it in such 4 way as to
inlet the least possible injury ON the savascs;
and, above all, once possessed oil il, to admins
ter justice with an equal hand ID the white and
, rel people, giving the latter, SO far as pract'ca-
bic, an equivalent for their land, in the arts and
comforts introduced anoUg them. Power thus
dispensed, will aim at cevang instead Of de-
pressing their situation, at Increasing their hap
pncss Instead Of diving them by persecution to
despair, and at cherishlng instead Of extcrniina-
ting their race. To effect these desirable cads,
it is necessary TO inspire tac,n with two sen,i-
ments-a conviction Of your power and OF your
justice.
Now, it viii be found by review OF the
measures in relation to this point a,lopsct! during
the administration OF MIR. jefferson, tia, these
Two Cardinal ends have been fully secured, and
tha, it is principally owing to those measures
that complete pacFcation of the Indians has
been accomplished. During the administrations
OF his predecessors, either active warfare was
Carried on with them, or in the intervals OF a
, hollow peace the frontiers were constantly ex-
posed to alarm. Ever since he assumed the
Presidency, all warfare has ceased, and alarm on
the frontier been dissipaed. This has not arisen
iiotn any abandonment OF our prctensions On
the contrary we have during this period acquired
more land than in an any equal an,ecccent peri
Oh, and our western population has advanced
,, with greater rapdly than il ever previously did.
These happy and bcuciceut effects have flowed
from the enlightened and just policy of cabinet,
intimately acquainted with human nature, and
bent upon exercising power with single eye to
: the happiness of those on whom it was exercised
, The means pursued are in themselves extremely
!
prised AZ Their not having been universally appli-
ed in the intercourse of civilized and savage com
lruntics. This surprise, however, is dispelled.
when we contemplate the fatal agency Of super
stiton and spni. of conquest in past ages.
: Heretofore the sword has invariably opened the
/ way TO power, and the letters of superstition
: have uniformly completed the victory. Govern
c meats welded by soldiers and priests, having
n desposd the conquered OF their property, have
h concluded by attempting to deprive them of the
consolations OF their religion. In the first ,csult
they have generally succcede.l but scarcely ever
: IN the last. The religious sentiments, received
IRON our fathers, are generally SO dc'r to our
hearts, that We prefer sacrifice of life to their
abandonment, and whatever outward conformi-
d ty, We may exhibit TO the creed OF our conquer.
e ors, tic conscience remains impregnable. v i'll
{. these ideas, doubtless, his mind, Mr. Ietfer
h son has taken no pains To force upon the nation
d the Christian religion; he has suffered them t,
= enjoy the religion OF their fathers. But he La
. done that which has emitted him to their warm
a. est benedctiuns he has sen. among them such mel
6 as Hawkins and Neigs; men bcnehcent, en-
IL lsh'ened and practical, who have taught then
rs lac blessing OF property, and the advantages +
n nc feared from the cultivation Of agriculture an
liz the arts. Under these auspices, the procres
ur thcy nave already made, is wonderful. Man
in Of them ill the ground, which they hive enclc
Of scd, raise fruit trees, and are industously OF
=, cnpied in domestic manufactures, for the prose
- cution of all of which they have been LIBERAL
- supplied with the means by the agents appoin
~ cd 5y the government. And in this way. in II
nc short period Of eight years, more substan,i
va progress has been made in civilization, than ca
at be shewn by the anna of The world 10 ha,
10, taken place in any other region in halra centur
Let ignorance and tyranny, then, continue
join in the cry against philosophy. While it
AZ directed 70 such besehcent objects, while
seeks its highest qualification and finds its brigi,
est glory in increasing the mass of human hal
pness; while il exhibits the new and illustrio
spectacle of retaining man by the arts from Il
!, sa4agc state and increasing his felicity By Il
the comforts Of civlzat,on--.t viii continue en,i,l,
his to our highest reverence, and those who ispcn
81 Its blessings 10 our warmest regard.
Ia -. r