Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Mass.) 1828-1830, 1830-01-12

man, or body of men who make contract
under the protection Of law, and on terms
OF perfect reciprocity. The Cherokees
should, especially at this juncture, be
again assured that they stand behind
the shield Of the Iaw-the supreme zao
OF TIE tand--which, in a government like
ours, should afford defence not less per-
iect, and certainly much more convenient,
than could be afforded by Gordon of
l5O,OOO bayonets, or "a wall of adamant
from the earth to the skies.
The Chancellor says, also, that this
change should be effected, (if atall "with
the most scrupulous regard to the weak
nesses and prejudices" ofthe Indians. He
would not justify the use Of cold and un-
ieellng language, such as : Indians must
always retire from the march Of civiliza-
ton. It's in vain to attempt to save them"
tie Vould much sooner lament the frauds
snc npositions, which have been prac-
tlsed on them by profigate and interested
white men, and the deficiency of benevo.
lent feeling towards them, on the part of
many, who would by no means tolerate
fraud or oppression. Justice requires
that it should be said, however, that most
OF the legislatures of the older States franz
ed laws for the protection Of Indians,
with most benevolent regard to their
good, and on the genuine principles of
Christianity.
The Chancellor says again, that the
change should be effected with the en-
tire appreciation of the government of the
United States." This change, be it re-
membered, had reference to the little
tribes, in the State of New-York. Yet
the highest law character in the State, de-
llvering an opinion before the Senate, sit
ting as the highest court of law in the
State, did not apprehend an impeachment
for sacrificing State Rights, when he de-
clared, that, if an arrangement should be
made on this subject, it should be made
NTH the entire appreciation Of the Gov-
ernment Of the United States" And the
Senate, consisting of thirty or forty men,
bers from all parts ofthe State, supported
the reasoning of the Chancellor, with but
a single dissenting vote. How different
a spirit is here, from that which prevails in
Georgia
AT the close Of the paragraph which l
have quoted, the Chancellor recommends
this course, not only as the most prudent
course. and "not only for conscience sake,
out tor the reputation Of ar justice"
Whoever fears God or regards man who
ever possesses an enlightened conscience
and feels his accountability 10 his Maker,
or wishes to deserve the respect and con-
fidence of good men, and the gratitude of
after tlmes-such man, says this learn
ed Judge in effect, will take heed, that he
deals kindly and justly by the Indians.
Hamilton, who is now admitted by all
parties to have been an ilIustrious states
man and to have felt deeply for the hon
our of his country, said, respecting trea-
ties, that they are &C contracts with foreign
nations which have the force of law, but
derive it from the obligations of good
faih."- Federalist, No. IS He reck-
oned, as among the qualifications of those
who were to make treaties, a nice and
unJorm SenSibility to national character"
These qualifications he expected to find
in men selected by the legislatures of the
several States, as representatives of the
worth, the dignity, and the character of
the country, in the highest branch of our
national legislature.
1t is one of the most encouraging signs
of the present times, that publick men
are made to feel their accountability to
the publick, and their obligation to bring
their measures of state within the rules
Of private morality. speak on large
scale. and not with reference to single
country much less, in regard to single
administration. This demand Of sccoun-
liability will ultimately be made by the
people OF every country and if rulers,
whether Kings or Presidents, Parlia-
ments or Congresses, perpetrate acts in
their publick character, which would be
.perfdious in private man, they will be
pronounced guilty; and, in cases of great
importance, if thus pronounced guilty by
the voice of dispassionate and intelligent
men, their names will be consigned to in
fanny.
The great principles of morality are
immutable. They bind nations in their
intercourse with each other, as we'll as in
dividuals. On this point must be indulg-
ed with quotation from Chancellor Kent's
Commentaries -
{" We ought not, therefore, to separate
the science of pubick law from that of
ethics, nor encourage the dangerous sug-
gestion, that governments are not as strict
Iy bound by the obligations of truth, JUS
tice, and humanity, in relation to other
powers. as they are in the management of
their own local concerns. States, or bod
les politick, are to be considered as moral
persons, having publick will, capable and
free to do right and wrong, inasmuch as
they are collections of individuals, each
of whom carries with him. into the service
of the community, the same binding law