Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-08-24
SPEECH OF MR.. sTORRs OF N. Y.

casscl, We are told IN one breath they
mostly mere savages and that all the efforts to
claim them have failed, and in the hear,
that carry into effect very benevolent plan tor
their improvement. they to be placed under the
strict regulations OF our state of society Are we
understand by this that they to be civilized by
legislative acts 1t Is useless sir. to consider this
matter gravey in that way. We do not deceive our
selves by 1t, and shall msead nobody else There
- sagacity enough IN the People whom we repre-
Sent to understand It, Think you that with the
Georgia Report before them, they will believe that
the object of hesc laws to reclaim the Indians
and Improve their condition, as TO attach them
more strongly to their country! The Government
has put this in its true light The consequence
will be, that. in their state of society, they can en-
10Y none Of the practical benefits OF the general
laws Of these States. and will be subjected at the
time To he whole range OF their ordinary
criminal jurisdiction, Well as another code appl
cable to themselves only We hear ii sometimes
said th1, 'hey to be admitted the privi-
leges of cizens, If some substantial privileges,
which they do not now enjoy, were to be con-
fsrred them. Why. then, do find this
bill here. exactly at the time when they to
receive these favors? Ifthey are really receive
my new privileges, will they not be con-
tented wherc they are, and less inclined to 60
beyond the NJ ssss,ppe It will be asked too, by ma
ny who cannot understood this sort of reasoning,
what particular benefits these States expect to obtain
by exceeding their laws over some thousands of peo-
pie VINO orc sad to be wild Indians and bringing them
WITHIN the paio of their society, Phere is certainly
no Stale pride TO b. gratifed by that l shall not
take up your time to answer questions ofths II
these laws do not speak language that can be un-
dersod here, they will be very We'll understood else
where. There is no reason believe that Indian
communities disturb the peace of these State If their
own Citizens Will let them alone. The only sufferers
in that respect the Indians. There are laws e.
nough 20 that case if Governments will do its
duty and execute them faithfully The Indians are
Peaceable aud inofensve People, advancing rapid
ly moral Improvement, cutvating their lands, es-
tablshg schools and churches and disturbing nobody
Thay have already patiently borne what we should
submit to ourselves, and they will bear much more
4 In f1Ict \ than thaun
not prepared to i've under laws If had the
righ extend our protection then wtou, their
consent. The courts Of justice these States will
dOubtcs Gee hai right Is done. SO far they TO
administer the aw in particular But they viii
afford slender protection against the operation of
moral causes which will reduce them to the condition
of outlaws in society
an MT SATISFIED that the funds to be provided by
this bill to be used in such we shall
be willing hereafter to approve. The Secretary of
War said last year to commissioners .snothnp is
more certain than that if the chiefs aud influential
could be brought into the measure, the rest
would implicitly follow. 1t becomes, therefore,
matter of necessity, if the General Government would
benefit these people, that 1t move upon them the
line OF their own prejudces, and by the adoption of
any proper MEANS break the power that wavering
with their best interests. The question Is, how
this be best done! Not, 1t is believed, for the rea-
suggested, by means Of general council
There they wond be awakened to all the limitations
which those who are opposed to their exchange of
coun might throw out; and the consequence would
be-a firm refusal to acquiesce. Phe best resort Is
beeved to be that which is embraced in an appeal to
the the chiefs and influential men aol oge;her but
apart, at their own houses, and by proper exposi-
ton oftheir real condition, rouse them to think of
that; whilst oes to them. of extensive reservations
Id fee SIMPLE, and other rewards would, it hoped.
result In obtaining their &C guescence."
Now, SIR, disguise these suggestions as evc NAV
there be successful d:ssmu! alton in language
of this sort. 1t is sheer, open brbery--a disrepua-
BILE proposition 10 buy up the cnefs and reward them
for treason to their people Il IS the frs; time,
far my knowledge extends, that SUCH a practice
has been unh1ushnsly avowed
There too before us which should attract
the attention OF this House. L see bv pamphlet
before me, that our Superintendent OF Indian Affairs
in The Var Department. was cent to New York last
Summer to aid the benevolent institution to which L
have alluded with such information as he might pos
regard to those Indian nations lie deliver
ed address on that occasion one Of the churches
of that city In this he said, that if the Indians
were present ne would address them thus:
'sB,utte,Y: Whether it is wise in you thus to lin
ger cha!ed, and impoverished, and dshearter,np
existence, and dsc as yocr fathers have died, and
leave The destnyio your children, or to leave
your country and the bones of your fathers which
canIot benefit you, STAY Wherc they long as
you may
wns shocked, sir, when l met with the shameless
aFowo OF such sentiment, and addressed to such
audience, too, by agent of this Government [
have 10 language that express my detestation of
it. No man who cherished spark of rirtuous feel
ing IN MS heart, could have given it utterance. It
deserves the marked Reproduction of this House. as
the guardians of the honor of the country and The
Government ought not TO retain him in his place q
single hour.
am admonshed, sir, BY the duty which 1 owe to
the House for their indulgence, occupy your time
no longer But ask gentlemen to review the hsto-
ry of this Government faithfully, and say it, on look
ing to the affecting condition of these people, and
the certain consequences which follow. they
can lay their hands their hearts as honorable
NEE, 81 say that they feel Il ence IN gong
auy further with TINS measure. We not dealing
for ourselves In this matter. Our reputation is
not alone concerned The character Of the country
jsueepy involved in it. we shall not be able q, last
disguise cooperation in removing these nations
from their country. We may fater and deceive
ourselves we may, but the time will come when
responsibility neither be eyaded or denied
1t must be met, and it is better for us TO consider
now what we must meet. Our relations with the
Indian nations are of our own seeking. We assurned
guardshp them voluntarily, and we lus, III