Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1830-12-15

Them nv own solemn conviction fthe duties
and powers of the General Government in
relation to the State authorities. For the
Justice of the laws passed by the States with
m the scope Of their reserved powers, they
are not responsible to this Government. As
individuals, We may entertain and express
our opinions of their acts, but, as Govern
ment, we have as little right to control them
as we have 10 prescribe laws to foreign na
tlons.
With full understanding Of the subject,
the Cboctaw and Chickasaw tribes have,
with great unanimity, determined to avail
themselves of the liberal offers presented by
the act of Congress, and have agreed to re
move beyond the Mississippi river.-Treaties
have been made with them, which, in due
season, will be submitted for consideration.
In negotiating these treaties, they we're made
to understand their true condition, and they
have preferred maintaining their indcpen
dence in the w estern forests to submitting
to the laws of the States in which they now
reside. These treaties being probably the
las, which will ever be made with them are
characterized by great liberality on the part
of the government. They give the Indians
liberal sum in consideration of their re
mOVhl, anu CDIIllOTtdUl0 WI tIltlI
arrival at their new homes. If it be Their
real interest to maintain separate existence
they will there be at liberty to do so without
the inconveniences and vexatlons to which
they would unavodably have been subject in
Alabama and mississippi.
Humanity has often wept over the fate Of
the aborigines Of this country, and phlan
thropy has been long busily employed in de.
vising means to avert it. But its progress
has never for a moment been arrested; and
one by one have many powerful tribes disap
peared from the earth. To follow TO the
tomb the last of his race, and to tread on the
graves Of extinct nations, excites melancholy
reflections. But true philanthropy recon.
Giles the mind to these vicisstudes, as it does
to the extinction of one generation to make
room for another. In the monuments and
fortresses Of an unknown people, spread over
the extensive regions Of the West, we be.
hold the memorials of once powerful race,
which was exterminated, or has disappeared
to make room for the existing savage tribes.
Nor is there any thing in this, which, upon a
comprehensive view of the general interests
Of the human race, is to be regretted Phi
lanthropy could not wish to see this contlnen nj
restored TO the condition in which it was
found by our forefuthers. What good man
would prefer country covered with forests
and ranged by few thousand savages to our
extensive Republic, studded with cities,
towns, and prosperous farms: embell!shed d
with all the Improvements which art can de.
wise, or industry execute; occupied by more
than twelve millions of happy people, and
filed with all the blessings Of liberty, civil.
izaton, and religion.
The present policy of the Government is
but continuation Of the same progressive
change, by a milder process. The tribes
which occupied the countries now constitut.
ing the Eastern States, were annihilated, or
have melted away, to make room for the
whites. The waves of population and civil.
ization are rolling to the westward; and we
now propose to acquire the countries occu.
pied by the red men Of the South and West
by fair exchange, and, at the expense Of the
u. States, to send them to land where the il
existence may be prolonged, and perhaps
made perpetual. Doubtless it will be painful
TO leave the graves ofthcir fathers; but what
do they more thnn our ancestors did, or than
our children are now doing? TO better their
condition in an unknown land, our forefa.
Tiers left all that was dear in earthly objects.
Our children, by thousands, yearly leave the
land of their birth, to seek new homes in dis.
tant regions. Does humanity weep at these
painful separations from every thing, animate
and nanimate, with which the young heart
has become en,wined? Far fIom it. 1t is
rather source of joy tina! our country af.
fords scope where our young population may
range unconstrained in body or in mind, dc.
veoping the power and faculties of man in
their highest perfection. These remove
hundreds, and almost thousands Of miles, a,
their own expense, purchase the lands they
occupy, and support themselves at their new
home from the moment Of their arrival
Can it be cruel in this Government, when, by
events which it cannot control, the Indian is
made dscontented in his ancient home, to
purchase his lands, to give him new and
extensive territory, to pay the expenses Of
his removal, and support him year in his
new abode? How many thousands of our
own people would gladly embrace the op.
portuni,y Of removing to the West on such
conditions If the offers made to the In
dans were extended to them, they would be
hailed with gratitude and joy.
And is it supposed that the wandering saw.
age has stronger attachment to his home,
than the settled, civilized Christian? Is it
more affecting to him to leave the graves OF
his fathers, than it is TO our brothers and
children? Rightly considered, the policy of
the General Government towards the red
man is not only liberal but generous. lie is
unwilling to submit to the laws ofthe States,
and mlngle with their population. To save
him from this alternative, or perhaps utter
annihilation, the General Government kindly
offers him new home, and proposes to pay
the whole expense of his removal and settle
mcnt.
In the consummation ofa policy originating
at an early period, and steadily pursued by
every administration within the present cen.
tury--so inst TO the States, and SO generous
to the Indians, the Executive feels it has a
rigbt IN expect the CO. operation of Congress