Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1818-12-01
From the Federal Republican.
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
This document viii be read with much
pleasure by all classes of citizens. Its an
official report of the prosperous and -four
ishing condition Of CUR country. II must
gladden. the hearts Of every American eiti-
zen, TO see his country marching with
such rapid strides 10 wealth and greatness.
Each succeeding year developes her in
creasing and inexhaustibie resources.
If we duly appreciate and improve the
blessings we enjoy, the present generation
will not have passed away, before we shall
see the immense country from the Bay Of
Mexico TO the Lakes, and from the All
llantic to the Missouri, covered with
hardy, industrious, virtucus and happy
lpeople~-its forests win have melted away
under the axe of the cultivator-the hunt
ing ground of the savage will become white
with the harvest, and the present haunts
of wild beasts will become vocal with the
high praises of our God. Such are the
glorious and high anticipations of Ameri-
can citizens: but there is always condi-
lion annexed to the bounties of Heaven,
which is that We merit them by our viz
tues, and enjoy them with thankfulness.
We notice with much pleasure the Pres
idenl's observations respecting the Indian
tribes. We have always believed, and
still believe, they may be civilized, and
rendered industrious and useful citizens.
The Indians certainly possess some of the
ioitiest and noblest traits of character to
ho fouDd IN tho b,,1,on roco II &c
in some measure to this very holiness Of
character, that they have not yet been
lcivilized-they cannot, and will not
brook subsection, and therefore cannot be
compelled to learn or be taught. That a
race of men, so distinguished for native
talents-so pre-eminent for courage-so
patient Of fatigue--so persevering in labour,
when undertaken voluntarily in pursuit of
objects, which they consider laudable, and
possessing such an uncomfortable spirit,
should be wholly cut off from the face Of
the earth, is truly melancholy considers
ton, and if it be possible TO save portion
Of them, and to raise the superstructure of
civilization on their native talents and viz
tues, it would surely be one Of the most
desirable things to the christian and the
philanthropist, that could possibly be done,
it would be an object worthy the efforts
and energies Of powerful nation.
This We believe may be done. We
believe SO. because we believe them 10 be
of the same race with all the rest of the
natioas of the earth, who are or have been
civilized-we believe so, because the ln-
dians themselves have been civilized,
where persuasion has been used instead Of
compulsiou. Ali the powers on earth
would not force an Indian tribe to become
civilzed, but mild and gentle means have
never yet failed in winning their affections
aud attachments, aud these once won, aud
they may be led and taught with as little
difficulty as any other race OF people.
That the Iudians have not yet been civ
ilized, has been the fault of their teachers,
and not ofthemseIves. Some have thought
to ciyilize and christianize them by sending
missionaries among them TO preach them
sermons, and read them letters on the ad-
yautages of civilization and christianity.
This is about as rational as it would be to
expect to teach high spirited horse TO
draw in the harness by showing him an
other horse tackled into carriage, aud
drawing kiadly. Some have thcssht 10