The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1825-08-31

! There is wisdom aad mental great
Ress in this resolution. They koow
What they have been--they feel what
1 they are. When they reflect upon the
power and independence of their ances-
tors, and contrast their state with the
dependent and uncertain condition of
their cendants--tantalized with hopes
of civilization, which we forbid them to
reahze-protractiDg miserable exist
ence, rendered wretched by repeated
and compulsory movements further ln-
TO ne wilderness, as the white man APP
breaches them they may well demand,
in the shades of death, a refuge from
the persecution and hear;less contempt
of the more powerful race which Occu-
pies the country. When they find the
fire of civilization (for to them it has
been consuming fancy encircIing their
settlements, and daily narrowing their
limits, and obstacles thrown in the way
of their improvement which they had
been taught not to expect; what won
der is it, that in their despair, like the
scorpion, they seek in death relief from
pangs, from which they can see no
other means of escaping? Let US shup,
as we would the blacklist dishonor, all
agency in bringing upon them this fate.
This self-deyotion of a whole people
will not be without its effect. The In-
dian huts, it is true, cannot be compared
with the Roman senate-house; and a
Creek chieftain and his tribe, falling un-
der American bayonets, will not have the
imposing appearance of conscript fathers
in their ivory chairs, submitting with dig
nifty to the rage of the barbarlaDs of
Caul but the moral effect Of the whole
people offering up their lives with silent
resignation upon the altar of patriotism,
will be the same in Georgia as in Italy,
and will place the Indian upon an equali-
ty with the Roman soul.-Wiil Congress
consent TO suffer This tragedy TO be per-
formed, with the sanction of the national
government, and despoil the Creeks of
their land, to distribute it among the in
habitants Of Georgia by land lottery ?
Such 10 the object of this treaty; such is
the manner in which it must be executed /;
and the State legislature has provided for
the immediate surrey and distribution in
this shape, no doubt with the view OF
preventing the interference of Congress,
~ selling up tue uoouIuo OF vested
rights, as an obstacle to nuIIitying the
treaty. Whether this plea shall prevail,
Congress must decide. 1t is most grave
and important question, deeply affecting
our national character, and the success Of
free institutions. What an argument
would il put in the mouth of the absolute
party in the old world, to have these pro-
ceedings sanctioned by the representa-
tives ofthe American people. We might
then pirate of our regard for justice, OF
our respect for human rights; and we
should pirate 10 vain. They would an
swer our TRADE against the ambition and
cruelty Of the monarchs Of Europe, by
pointing to The expulsion and extirpa-
ton of the Creeks, and challenge us TO
find parallel in the blacklist page OF
European history. Even the Turkish
DiVan might reply TO our Greek resolu-
tons and our Greek subscriptions, by ex-
pressing its in6deI adherence at the M
necessary, perfdious, and dastardly in
humanity of the Christian republicans TO-
wards defenceless Indians. "We," say
they, "migbt retort, meet men who re-
bel against their ancient masters, but you
massacre women and children, and de.
tenceiess savages, to whom you have
pledged your national faith for their safe.
ty and protection" From such stain
may Congress, acting with prudence, but
with vigour, deliver the republic. Il
now has it in its power to manifest a
strict adherence to principle, that will dc
more honour TO the U. States, than hun.
dreds of victories achieved by sea and by
land. Such an instance of self-denia
will prove US 10 be sincere 10 our pTofes.
: sions, aud exalt our national character
beyond the reach of scepticism.
i These Indians, too, will contribute ia
our honour in after ages. They have
already succeeded in the work of civil.
cation beyond the sanguine hopes Of their
most ardent friends. They have relin.
pushed hunting, and become farmers and
herdsmen. The forest begins to disap.
iTpear from around them, and vast fields
rich with grain, smiling orchards, and
meadows covered with docks and herds.
are found in The midst IF tho vv;Idarpess
as monuments of the philan,bropic and
humane policy of the national govern
ment, and Of the ability of the aborigi.
nails TO preserve their name, aud TO take
their station among the civilized nations
of the earth. Neither is it upon the soil
alone that the hand of civilization is seen
Their manners are softened, their mind:
improved by education. The useful arts
ire intrOdrrnd amonr tho,D rr,o sb,,.