Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1825-10-01


/ IN bringing upon them this fate.
The self-devotion of whole people
Will not be without its effect. The In
dian buts, il is true, cannot te compared
with the Roman Senate house; and
Greek chleitain and his tribe falling I'M
der the American beyone,s, will not have
the imposing appearance Of conscrlpt ia
thers IN Their ivory chairs, submitting
with dignity to the rage OF the barbarians
OF Gaul; but the moral effect OF 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 equa-
lily with the Roman soul.-Will Con-
gfess consent to suffer this tragedy to be
performed, with the sanction bf.the ma
uonai eovernme n, and despoil the Greeks
OF their land. 10 distribute it among the
inhabitants o. Georgia by land lottery /?
Such is 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 view OF
preventing the interference of Congress,
by setting up the doctrine of vested rights,
as an obstacle to nulliiying the treaty.
Whether this plea shall prevail, Con-
eress must decide. 1t is most grave
and important question, deeply affecting
our national character, and the success
OF free institutions. What an areumen,
you'd it put in The mouths OF the ALSO.
lutte parry in the old world, to have these
proceedings sanctioned by the rcpresen-
talives Of the American people. We
might then pirate OF our regard for JUS
tice, OF our respect for human rights
and we should pirate in vain. They
would answer our TRADE against the am
billion and cruelty Of the monarchs Of Eu
rope, by pointing TO the expulsion and
extirpatIon OF the Greeks, and challenge
us to find parallel in the blacklist page
Of European history. Even the Turk
lsh Divan might reply 10 the Greek re-
solutions and our Greek subscriptions,
by expressing its inidel abhorrcnce at
the unnecessary, perfidious, and bastard
iy inhumsnily Of Christian republicans
towards detence!ess Indians. We"
say they might re,ort, meet men in
arms who rebel rgansl their ancient n as
tiers; but you massacre women and chill
dren, ard defenceless savages, to whom
you have pledged your national faith for
their safety AVID protection." From
such slain may Congress, acting with
prudence, but with vigor, deliver the re-
public. II now has il in is power TO
manifest strict adherence 10 principle,
that will do more honor to the United
States, than hundreds of victories achicy-
ed by sea aud By land. Such an instance
Of self denial will prove us 10 be sincere
in our professions, and exah cur national
character beyond The reach Of scepticism.
These Indians, too, will contribute to
our honor in al,er ages. They have al
ready succeeded in the woik of civiiiza.
ton, beyond the sanguine hopes of their
most arden, friends. They have rein.
pushed hunting and become farmers and
herdsnen. The fores, be ,ins to disap-
per from around them add vast eds,
rich with grain, sailing orchards, and
meadows covered with tlocks and herds.
are found in the midst of the wilderness,
as monuments of the philanthropic and
humane policy of the national govern
ment, and OF the ability Of The aboriginals
to preserve their name, and to take their
station among the civilized nations Of the
ear.h. Neither is itupon the soil alone
that The hand OF civilization is seen. Their
manners are sofened, their minds I'm
proved, by education. The useful arts are
introduced among them: The shuttle and
the loom, he hammer and anvil, are
hea d in their butts, s. scbool-houscs and
churches seen in their villages. The
blood stained Ratchet is buried, it is to
be hoped forever, and christianity and
civilization, aided by the enlightened po-
licy of our government, are gradually
raising these tribes from state Of igno-
rance and barparity. With this happy
prospect on one side, and impending
ruin and exlirpation on the other, these
helpless children Of the fores, appeal to
the Representatives OF the American
people, and call upon them to rescue
them from degradation, exile, and death.
They have a right to kind aud atten-
tive audience. They are men like our.
selves-more Ignorant, less civilized
and powerful, but still men. To their
present state they have been reduced or
advanced, according to the decision OF
this question, by the arrival of the Eu
ropeans. The few comforts, hopes and
pleasures they have, they highly value.