Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1826-04-01

itself, TO lis future character in all time
TO come. For, next 10 the means OF self
defence, and the blessings of free 60
vernlneDt, stands, in point of importance,
the character of nation. Its distln-
gushing characteristics should be, JUS
ice and moderation. To spare the
weak is its brightest ornament. 1t is,
therefore. source of the highest graft
icatlon, that an opportunity is now Of
= iered the United States to practice these
maXlms, and give an example of the tri,
umphof liberal principles, over that sor-
did selisaness which has been the fruit
tdl spting oil human calamity.
Il is the province Of history to commit
to its pages the transactions of nations.
Pos,eriy look to this depository with the
most intense interest. The fair fame of
their ancestors. most precious inheri-
tage, is TO them equally source OF pride,
and motive OF continued good actions.
! But she performs her province with ini-
partlaliv. The authority she exercises
in The absence of others, is a check on
bad rule. The tyran, and the oppres-
sor see, in the character of their proto-
types, the sentence pos'erity is preparing
tor them. Which side OF the picture
shall we elect for the. decision is lett
TO ourselves. Shall her record transmit
the present race to future generations,
as standing by, insensible 10 the progress
OF The desolalion which threatens the
remnant of this people; or shall these
unlriendiy characters give place to a ge-
nerous effort which shall have been made
o save them from destruction. While
celebrating on this solemn question,
would appeal to that high Providence,
whose delight is Justice and mercy, and
take council from the oracles o! his will,
revealed to man, in his terrible denun-
Citations against the oppressor.
In reviewing the past, justice requires
that the humane attempts Of the Federal
Government, coeval With its origin,
should receive an honorable notice.
That they have essentially failed, the
sad experience Of every day but TOO
strongly ,es,ifes. If the original plan,
conceived in the spirit Of bereyoence,
had not been tated TO encounter that as
yet buI undated desire, 10 bereave them
Of their lands, it would perhaps, have
realized much OF the hopes of its friends.
So long. however, as that desire con,in-
ues to direct our councils, every attempt
must fail. A cursory review is all that
is necessary to show the incong5ui,v 81
the measures we have pursued, and the
cause OF their failure.
Missionaries are sent among them
to enlighien their minds, by ifnbuiag
them with religious Impressions Schools
have been established by the aid OF pri.
vate, as well as public donations, for the
instruction OF their youths. They have
been persuaded TO abandon the chase
TO locate themselves, and become cnl-
tivators OF the sol--ilnpl ements OF hus-
bantlrv, and domestic animals, have been
presented them, and all these things
have been done, accompanied with pro.
fessions of disin crested solicinde for
their happiness. Yielding to the temp.
tations, some Of them have reclaimed the
forest, planted their orchards and erect
ed houses, not only for their abode, but
Tor the ad mInistra'ion of justice, and reli-
gi9us worship. And when they have
SO done, you send your Agent to tell
them they must surrender their country
to the white man, and re.commi them
selves to some new desert, and substitute
as the means of their subsistence the
precarious chase for the certainty Of cul-
lipaiion. The love of our native land is
implanted IN every human bosom, whe-
Their he roams the wilderness, or is found
in The highest state Of civilization. his
attachment increases with the comforts
Of our country, and is strongest when
these comforts are he fruits OF our own
exerlions. We have impaired this feel
ing to many OF the tribes by our own
measures. Can it be matter Of surprize,
that they hear, with unmixed indignation,
Of what seems to them our ruthless pur-
pose of eXpeling them from their coun-
try, thus endeared They see that our
professions are lnsincere--lhat our pro-
misses have been broken; that the hap
pness of the Indian is a cheap sacrifice
to the acquisition Of new lands; and
when attempted to be soolhed by an as
surance that the country to which we pro-
pose to send them is desirable, they en-
phatically ask us, what new pledges can
you give us that we shall not again be
exiled when it is your wish to possess
these lands 1t is easier to state ethan to an
swer this question. Aregard to consisten-
cy,apart from every other considerationre-
quires, change Of measures. Either
let him retain and enjoy his home, or, if