Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-01-28

and abhortcnt 10 humanity. arc urged with gravity
IN this age OF boosted Improvement in the finer scnsi
biies Of the heart of humanity, of religion, and of
law. And more, in his country where the rights Of
man, the fnIth OF treaties, ard sacred regard for he
honor at the nation, tie peculiar pride at every
American Republican, B:; do not intend 10 meet
the quc,f ION by of admiration at the emormy of
such doctrines or by half expressed Indignation at
the injustice prac;sed upon the Indians, or sympathy
Tor their distressed condition IL merits cOasidcra ION
by something more nearly approaching to 4 regular
argument
having from the first. regarded tic course OF Gcor-
sia IN all her acts UfOppOslinn to the General Gov
eminent H. tict5us iii the extreme and viewed her
reiterated resolutions and legislation about state
rights ana late sovereignty the result Of ground
less jealousy; and N this perhaps ins'gated by amh
uous men. plotting their own future sef-irtereet and
aGgrlndilement. cannot but consider her ccoseess
ard 'mporiuna'r Efforts to remove the poor Indians
from their long enjoyed native inheritance, and all
their claims OF authority and Jurisdiction them
conceived IN the rebeous spirit and prompt
cd BY an unchrisan, ungcncrous and impolitic con-
Stcpt for the dearest rights Of In giving ut
tcrance 10 these opinions deliberately formed and
firmly entertained must explicitly disavow the in
nnence ut all party or political feeling. The question
presents Itself abstracty and by u rimsic me
rits Is cons dered and i'Idged
That the United States are bound by treaty to qua
ranee the territory which they lived to the Che
rokccs, presume you viii grant Inderd its a,in,is
sion seems implied by the terror of your remarks But
the obligation under which the General Government
is placed to observe the treaty, and how far it ought
gers which you anticipated are the consequence, is
the question.
| agree that heretofore, international c. ,npacfs
nave presented bu u,sy barriers to the prosecution
OF any purpose, with nations who appealed to the
sword, to justify their vioaton-and The faith of freq
es proved bur imperfect security against nations en-
dncd wth no sense OF Justice and posse sed Of supe
rtor mtHary force But Il reserved for the T..
States, as enlightened as size free, and raagnar-
uanus she enlightened TO demonstrate to the
word, noble spirit Of justice, and to furnish
ample 0I puuGuCIS rerard for her written cumpacts
believe III no instance has she bcen l,nown to vol2tea
reaiy So!cmniy sane lOncL-bcin ncr alike .rdf
t2rent, whether 1t made with an inferior power,
from whose force she feared noihng-or whether
with Il powerful state by whose strength she could
b. lnilmdated. I Is the prlacpie which ST. holds
dear, and her national faith and honor yah oh she re
CARDS aa too sacred for volation-besIdcs honest
wish to Justly, and honourabiy fulfil her Urhied
engagements And 1t IS this princp which has cl
cvated her. much The scale Of nations-and
made her admired and respected, any other OF her
distinguished characteristics.
IF this has ben her rule of action in her intcr-
course with foreign nations, how imperiously she
called upon, 10 observe with the same good faith,
treaty formed with az ignorant weak and Defence
less tribe OF Indians. whom she could almost with a
single breath, annlhilate What a mocEery is it
and reflection upon her honor. to treat with them
as an independent people, as the very act of treaty
implies and at tn" same moment assume the tone,
and exercise the authority of master:
40 keep the word of promise 20 the ear,
gusc of acting with honor and good fah and dIspos
sess them of their territory, because they have the
poW"r' is not this the point, to which the
whole matter is reduced had they not as well law
all chicauery and deception aside and claim the
right. because they have n power a for patterinC
III tins double affecting to respect the rights
OF thA IadIans and taking away their lands by the
moGK-solcmnty and pOmp of negotiation, which IS
but another name tor fraud and cheatery--lt but
serves to bring the acts of the government into con
tempt and to diminish the confidence which the In
dams well as all sensible and DISTINGUISHED persons
have in the justice, honor and good faith Of the gov
eminent
The General Government then, I conceive, is
bound, BY every principle Of faith, consistency and
humanity, to guarantee TO the Cheroiees, the pos
session of their lands She should not Gesist from
acting justly, and doing her duly, because the State
OF Georgia Is thrown into passion and by her hos
tile demonstrations, !neuaceS civil war. As dread
iu as would be the alternative, and as much 20 be
deprecated, are the horrors Of civil war-and no
one would deplorc them more than should; vet,
conceive the paramount considerations Of justice to
herself and to the poor helpless Indians should not
be postponed by the General Government even to
It's most disastrous and fatal consequences Let her
be just and fear not and comply with her con-
tracts soemnly made; and if evil ensue be the con-
sequences upon the head of Georgia. But little il
any respect is due TO that Stgte for is worthy Of
remark, an historical fact, that GEORGIA was the
last State 10 JON in the federal compact and she has
ever since proved the most turbulent and factious
. member Of the Union.
But the alternative of civil war not 70 be dread
ca Georgia never would resort to such desperate
means Of enforcing h. claims. As nHauima o Y rs
are The clements of which her Governors, great men
and citizens, are composeG-thcy too sagacious
to tempt a military invasion of their Territory, by
disciplined force of the United States. There is
too much 'Inethod in her madness" not to
avoid so hazardous an enterprise Let the
United States show but determination on her part,
and do not despair but that the wisdom and patriot
iSn OF the GeOrgians will acqucsce in what can not
but be considered he claims of honor, of Justice,
and OF good faith The reasoning. therefore, that
would sacrifice the rights ofthe Indians TO the uns-
hiabe demands Of Georgia-for the fear Of a civil
conflict. must esteem both Ill-judged, unsound
and f;,Ilaclnus
But suppose for moment tina. Georgia should
persist IN hcr monstIous demands. and contrary to
the most weghty considerations Of reason sh 'ud be
actinns enough take up arms shall be said that
I'll" United States deferred nv from redeemlng
her Piigmcd Saith 10 the too confident Indians who
rcpc5' upon her mercy and maguannlty, and ask only
ioT justice: "Le1 justice be d0ne Uopgh the HeaUg1s
JaH,' IS ma&Im o: an enlightened and benevolent
scic"cc, and IS the dictate no less of sound policy
than Of morality. And in the dspcasat ms of an
a'l-Wsc Providence, that nation or person never
sped pTOspesousy who d5rcgardcd the calls Justice