Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1831-02-09

[For the Herald Of the Times.

/ GOLD RE0ION OF The SHEROkEES.-
BY late report from the Director of the
mint to the President ofthe United States
and by him submitted to congress, it ap-
pears, that of $643,OOo of gold coined
within the last year, S466, 900 were de-
rived from the gold region of the United
States, s,Aiz S2t, 900 from Virginia, ,S204,- :
900 from North Carolina, S26, 900 from
South Carolina, and S2l2 900 from Geor-
gia.
Previous to the past year, no gold had
been received at the Mint from the State
Of Georgia, not even a specimen thereof
had been presented, and yet, so abund-
ant has it been found in portion of the
territory claimed by this State, that with
in twelve months from the period when
the general government authorized her
aggressions and encroachments on the
Cherokee Nation, Georgia has produced
a greater amount Of the precious metal
than even North Carolina; although in
the latter State, the business of gathering
gold has been in successful operation for
many years. This simple fact, that so
large an amount ofgold has been obtain
ed in so little time, is, Of itself, n severe
commentary on the conduct of the Geor-
gians. They, no doubt, congratulate
each other on the support which their
schemes have met with in Congress, and
confident of Ultimate success, we almost
hear them say, and with much self COM
placency-"now, our favorite law be-
ing passed, we shall be enabled to rid
ourselves of the presence of the Indians,
and no longer be obliged to conceal or
disguise the motives which impelled us to
extend jurisdiction over their lands.-
We will dig their gold; we will punish
their crimes by our lairs; and thus, speed
lily force them to relinquish their hold on
region which we wish to occupy. Such
sentiments, though they foster the worst
passions Of our nature, are but the newt
able inference from facts. They COM
prise but an imperfect sketch of the ba-
sis of those political theories which have
influenced so mauy of the citizens of
Georgia.-The very men who would re-
move the Cherokees from their gold re-
gion, as it is called; from their well cult
waited fields and thrifty villages; and even
from the graves of their Fathers, to a
dreary wilderness west ofthe Mississippi
They would compel the half civilized In
dian, to exchange his little Republic and
its wholesome laws, for the barbarous
life Of the wandering and blood thirsty
savage.
Yet are we gravely told that, it is the
Ldion who is to be benefited by this usur-
patton, and exercise of oppressive power
He will be placed, say they, in his new
hunting-grounds, with corn sufficient to
sustain him for certain period-he will
find salubrious climate-he will find
ma este trces!-In Short is fairy land, !,
where the Lion and the Wolf shall pros
tratc themselves before the emigrant In
dian, and welcome death at his hands.
But are not suoh-like representations,
we care not by whom made, gross deccp-
tions' Is it not the Southcrner who seeks
advantage and thrift even at expense of
the Indians happiness, or it may be, his
life! Is it not the White man who would
sacrifice the faith of his country, in viola
ton of solemn treaties, for the accom-
plishment ofhis vile purposes, and the ac-
cumulation OF a few grains ofgold; Most
assurcdly it is. If, however, we could
give credence to all that has been alleg-
ed in favor of the vast, and to us, un-
known tract of land west of the Missis-
sppi-if in reality, it possessed some, or
even all the advantages of the present
home Of the Cherokees-still, it cannot
seriously be pretended that this would us-
tity, or even excuse their removal. 1t
absurd to suppose, that the Indians would
willingy leave the dwelling places of
their Fathers. On the contrary, we see
them taking the most formidable, and at
the same time the most peaceful means
Of defending themselves from oppression,
by an appeal to the highest tribunal in
our country.
/ What argument is there then, in the
sophisms alluded to, that would not apply
with equal force and propriety, to any
section Of New England? What guaran-
tee have we that our farms would not be
arrested from US by the strong arm of
power, after adopting as our moral law,
this political maxim, "powcr constitutes
right" Surely, every honest American
must witness with regret and dismay, the
Predomlnancc of such princi pies in our
\ National Councils. Thence, should G.
manatc a pure stream Of justice and vir-
tue! calculated to purify and enrich pub
lie opinion at home, and swallowing up
all dsailcction abroad, should leave us,
at once feared and respected by all the
powers of the earth. This would be the
surcst pledge ofa continuance of our civ
il and religious libcrty-of equal distribu-
ton of justice to the weak and the strong