American watchman and Delaware advertiser., 1826-03-17
DEPARTMENT OF WAR,

DEPARTMENT OF WAR,
February Sd, 1896
The condition of the aborigines OF this country
and their future destiny, have long engaged the at
tentIon of the philosopher and statesman, inspiring
an interest corr esponden to the high importance Of
the subject. The history OF the past presents but
little on which the recollection fingers with sas-
faction. The future is not more cheering, unless
resort be speedily had to other councils than those
|by which we have heretofore been governed.
From the frs, discovery Of America to The present
time, one master passion common 10 all mankind,
that OF acquiring la d. has driven, in ceaslrss
cession, the white man on the Indian. The later,
reluctantly yielding to a force he could not resist,
has retired from the ocean TO the mountains and
from the mountains TO more nhos hable recesses,
wasting away by suH rings, AID Wy wars, foreign
and intestine, till etched fragment only urylpess
OF the numerous hordes once inhsbtng .hls coun-
try, whose portion is to brood in grief over their
past msfortunes, or to look in despair on the sp.
preaching catastrophe Of their impending doom.s
| 1t were now an Improbable task 10 inquire, on
what principle the nations Of Europe were justified
in dspossessing the original proprietor of his birth
right. They brought with them their own maxims,
which recognized power as the only standard Of
right, and fraud and force perfectly legitimate in
the acquisition Of territory. II has been done, and
time has confirmed the act
Of justice and clemency were disfegarded. But
that contest has long since ceased, especially in he
United States, where, on the one side, are seen
great People, familiar with arts and arms. whose
energies are increased by union, and directed by an
! efficient Government on the other few ignorant
! aud divided tribes of barbarians. Il is necessary
only for the former to express its will to receive or
enforce immediate submission from the latter. The
suggestions of policy necessity should no longer
c nj and hnO i'm II ia.
now therefore, that solemn question addresses
itself to the American People, and whose answer
is iull Of responsibility. Shall we go on quietly ID
a course, which, urging from the past, threatens
their extinction, while thei pas, sufftrings and iu-
ture prospects, SO pnhencally appeal compass
slonF The respor sibly to which REFER is vi hat
nation to itself to its future character in all
time TO come for, next to the OF sell defence,
and the blessings OF free government, stands in
point of importance. the character OF patton. Its
distinguishing characteristics should be- Justice and
moderation. To spare the weak is it's brightest
ornament. 1t is therefore, source oil he hi ns st
qualification that an opportunity is TOW offered the
United States to practice these maxIms and give
an example of the triumph of liberal principles
over that sordid sei6shness which has been the
fruitful spring of human calamity.
1t is the province Of history to commit to itt
pages the transactions of naiions. Posterty looks
to this depository with the most intense interest.
The fair fame oi their ancestors, most precious
inheritage, is TO them equally source Of pride and
motive OF continued good actions But she per.
forms her province with impartiaIity. The author
ty she exercises in The absence oil others, is check
on bad rule. The tyrant and the oppressor see. ia
the character OF their prototypes the sentence pos
terity is preparing for them. Which side OF tho
picture shall We electl for the decision is left to
ourselves. Shall her record transmis the present
to future generations as standing BY, insensi-
bic to the progress of the desoation which threatens
the remnant Of this People or shall these unfriend.
ly characters give place to generous effort which
shall have been made to save them from destruc-
tioni While delibrratiDg on this solemn question,
would appeal to that high Providence, whose de-
lights Justice and mercy, and take counsel from
the oracles of his will revealed TO man, In his terri.
bic denunciations against the oppressor.
In viewing the past, justice requires that the hu-
name 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 testi6es. If the
original plan, conceived in the spirit Of benevolence.
had not been ated encounter tha, yet uBsbated
desire, to bereave them OF their lands, il would,
perhaps, have realized much Of the hopes Of iis
friends. So long, however, that desire continues
TO direct our councils every attempt must fail.
cursory review is all that is necessary TO show
the incongruity OF The measures we have pursued
and the cause Of their failure.
Missionaries are sent among them to enlighton
their minds, by imbulng them with religious im-
pressions. Schools have been established by tha
aid of private we'll as public donations, for the
-The whole number Of Indians within the United s,ts
is estimated, in round numbers, at 100000, Of which
1se 600 reside 10 the States end Territories.