Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-11-25
PUBLISHED DAILY BY
MUEL SNOW DEN,
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, AND THE
PENN DINNER

TENN DINNER.
The Attorney General of the United States.
having been invited to attend the Penn Dinner, IN
Philadelphia and requested, in case OF non at
tendance to send toast. transmit ted to the fol-
lowing:
The Freemen Of Pennsylvania-successor
Of William Penn, and legitimate Lords Proprie-
tary OF his woodland domain. Before the ad-
vance Of civilization, the red man Of the forest
has retired from the graves Of his ancestors Is
il the dictate ofhumanity to deplore the RESULT"
Mr.. IxcERsoLL having read the above, elo-
snentlv observed:
If this inquiry be directed to the condition
Of PENNSYLVANIA alone. il is susceptible Of rea-
DIV answer. But If it seek, in the conduct and
example of William Penn. a sanction for pro-
credings which are contemplated elsewhere. We,
who are here present. are obliged to demur to the
analogy. Taking up the question alphabetically
in the latter sense, and apologizing to the distin
gushcd gentleman who has proposed 1t, 1t have
mistaken his meaning, propose to give it mo-
ment's consideration. 1t is now for the first
time distinctly put to Pennsylvania, by Repre-
sentative of those who are pursuing course Of
policy, OF which the Justice and humanity are
open to scrutiny before the tribunal Of the civil
zcd world. 1t is natural. that. in collecting
opiuioIs upon delicate question. they should
IN.
Of William Penn lie felt, like his great proto-
type, Columbus, ard, unlike Columbus, he trans
lnitted 10 his posterity a deep aud devoted in
terest in the concerns of the original inhabitants
Of the country. of which the one was the intrepid
liscoverer, and the other a humane and wise
Las giver. The /" woodland domain has been
faitly and lawful y acquired by them. But they
are called on, in effect. now to say, whether it IS
not humane to compel the scattered remnants Of
the children of the forest to quit the graves of
their ancestors, and follow the course of the set
ting sun-they know not whither-but far be-
gond where he seems, from their present abOdes,
10 sink into the bosom OF the distant waterss
III, by humanity. be meant policy disa-
avowed by justice, it must be received with hesl-
tation however palatab'e may be its exercise. or
Profitable ITS results. While humanity contin-
tes 20 act under the guidance of steady and uni
form principles, it will be, in all probability,
f.n,tess in its impulses But the humanity
which turns aside from justice, must be uncertain
in its origin. and caprici0us in its movements,
and must vary in its direction. as well as force,
exactly as interest leads. ar passion drives. Ii
the measure proposed be sanctioned by no usage.
founded in no right. opposed by treatyS, and at
war with well understood and long established
principles, it must be not merely questionable.
but perverted humanity, that can thus suggest
a violation Of laws, human and divine.
"'The idea is, IN effect, to take their lands
from the Indians. without paving for them. Not in
direct and avcwed terms, but to withdraw the
protection of the General Government. pledged
by solemn treaties. and leave them to the mercy
of the States, who NAV choose to become the
possessors of them, bv fair means or foul. This
Is rank injustice, and it would be admitted every
where to be so, did 1t stand alone. The neCessI-
" Of purchase has now been too long and too
Invariably recognized and acted on. TO admit
doubt. 1t was perhaps first introduced as
part of the wise and honest policy of William
Penn. II has been always adopted since. BY
ROYAL Proclamation, by legislative DEGREES, by
executive order al d instructions, and by the un-
wearying conducto Of every State that has occasion
to succeed to the occupancy of the Indians. ltas
Grmly rooted as the foundation OF their native hills
But the humanity which is supposed to CO.
yer the proceeding, consists in the offer OF sup
posed equivalent, in extensive hunting grounds
beyond the Western mountains. This un-
Just humanity. however. this humane injustice.
declines to make parties to the exchange those
who are mainly interested in it. 1t contem.
plates novel kind of contract, which is volun-
tarv upon the one side and involuntary upon the
other. "The whole tide of national feeling"
", are assured, ''sets, in one strong and un-
broken current, against a removal" They are
opposed to it from the bottom of their hearts,
They cling to their habitations with iirmness
inexperienced to the strength of their convictions
of the cearness Of their existing rights, and the
enor,nity OF their threatened wrong.
IF neither justice nor consent sustains the
plea of humanity. perhaps there may be kindness
IN the manner Of efecting the removal. which
soltens the severity of the thing itself. Turn to
the statute book, and you will see the tendeIl
mercies for which they are indebted. Arguments
of persuasion are there inscribed with an iron
and relentless hand. Their laws and ordinances
are declared null and void. They are not per-
mited to testify against the whites and are there
fore condemned to be the victims of the most a.
trocious crimes Even those who venture to
counsel or advise them for their own good, are
branded with infamy, and loaded Win chains.
A whole nation is outlawed. Cut off thus from
mutual protection. and fellowship with others.
the door opened wide to admit every species of
assailants. through their r"ejudir"s or ten
simss, the finger Of sesru pointed AZ their dwell.