Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-12-12

tlgdtlnS tncir COnuitlon, anu Soou "ASs ~'r
ing to improve It. But ali these labors have been
as unsuccessful in the issue, as many OF them
were laborious and expensive IN their progress.
The work has been aided by governments and
communities, by public opinion. by the obligations
of the law, and by the sanction of religion. but
it's history furnishes abundant evidence OF entire
failure, and every thing around US upon the IRON
tiers confirms its truth. The Indians have either
receded as our settlements advanced, and nnited
their fragments with some kindred tribe, or they
have attempted to establish themselves upon re-
servations, in the vain hope of resisting the pres
sure upon them, and Of preserving their peculiar
institutions. Those who are nearest to US, have
generally suffered most severely BY the debasing
effects Of ardent spirits, aud by the loss OF their
own principles Of restraint.-few as these are
without the acquisition of ours; and almost all
of them have disappeared, crushed Dy the onward
course of events, or driven before them. Not one
instance can be produced in the whole history OF
the intercourse between the Indians and the
white men. where the former have been able, IN
districts surrounded by the latter, to Withstand
successfully the progress OF those causes, which
have elevated one of these races and depressed
the other. Such monument of former success
full exertion dues not exist.
These remarks apply to the efforts which nave
been heretofore made, and whose history aud fal''
ure are known to us. But the subject has been
lately revived with additional interest, and Is
now prosecuted with great zeal aud excrtion-
whether with equal effect, time must show
That most of those engaged in this labor are actu-
ated by pure and dsinterested motives. do not
question. And If, in their estimate OF success,
they place too high value upon appearances. the
error is natural to persons zealOusly engaged IN
task calculated to enlist their sympahes and
awaken their feelings, and has been common to
all, who have preceded them in this labor Of phi
lanthropy, and who, from time to time, have In
dulged in anticipaions of the most signal success,
only to be succeeded by disappointment and de-
spondency.
That these exerions have recently been pro-
ductive Of some advantage, may we'll be admit
ted. few have probably been reclaimed from
abandoned habits, and some, perhaps, have really
appreciated the inestinabIe value of the doctrines
which have been taught them. can speak from
personal observation onv of the nothern and
northwestern tribes. Among them. am appre-
hensive the benefits will be found but few and
temporary. Of the condition of the Cherokees,
who are said to have made greater advances than
any of their kindred race, | must Judge from IN
formation | have been able to procure. Owing
to the prevalence of slavery and other peculiar
causes among them, number OF half-breeds and
their connexions, and perhaps few others, have
acquired property, and with 1t some education
and information. But believe the great mass
Of the tribe is living in ignorance and pvoerty,
subject to the influence Of the principal men, and
submitting to state of things, with which they
are dissatisfied, and which offers them no ration
al prospect of stability and improvement.
The failure, whichhas attended the efforts here
tofore made, and which will probably attend all
conducted upon similar principles, may be attri-
buted partly TO the inherent difficulty Of the un-
dertaking, resulting from characteristics peculiar
to the Indians, and partly from the mode IN which
the operations have been conducted.
Without entering into question which opens
wide field for INJURY, it is sufficient to observe
that our primitive people, as well in their habits
and opinions as in their customs and pursuits.
offer obstacles almost insurmountable to any con-
siderable and immediate change. Indolent in
his habits, the Indian is opposed to labor; i'npro-
vident in his mode Of life, he has little foresight
in providing, or care in preserving. Taught in
infancy to reverence his own traditions and in.
situations, he is satisfied Of their value. and breads
the anger of the Great Spirit, If he should de.
part from the customs of his fathers. Devoted
to the use Of ardent spirits, he abandons himself
to its indulgence without restraint. War and
hunting are ms only occupauohs' lie "a" ehuu'e,
without complaining, the extremity OF human sui
fering; and If he cannot overcome the evils OF
his situation, he submits to them without repln-
ing. He attributes all the misiortunes OF his
race to the white man, and looks with suspicion
upon the offers of assistance that are made to him.
These traits of character, though not universal,
are yet general; and the practical difficulty they
present, in changing the condition OF such peo-
Pile, is to satisfy them Of our sincerity and the va
iue of the aid we offer; TO hold out to them mo-
t,ves for exerton; to call into action some pow
erfu feeling, which shall counteract the tenden-
cy of previous impressions. It's under such cir
cumstances. and with these difficulties IN view,
that the Government has been called upon to de-
termne what arrangements shall be made for the
permanent establishment of the Indians. Shall
they be advised tareman or remove! Ii the for
mer, their fate is written in the annals Of their
race; it the latter, We may yet hope to see them
renovated in character and condition by our
example and instruction, and BY their exer.
tons.
But. to accomplish this, they must be first plac'
ed beyond the reach of our settlements, with
such chez upon their disposition to hostilities
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