The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1832-06-06
Che R1assaei,usetts Spp.
1.-THE LIBERTY OF THE PRESS is ESSENTIAL r
THE SECURITY OF FREEDOM"
W00G@S H@Rs
WEDNESDAY. JUNE6, 1879


administration of our government, the faith
OF the nation has been most scrupulouslv
observed, and the punctual and exact fulfil
ment OF all lis engagements has been con-
sldered duty paramount to all others, by
those who have administered our national
affairs. This, more than every other cause.
has tended to produce the universal respec,
for our government, which mas been mani
tested abroad, throughout the whole civil
lied world, and the confidence which has
been felt at home in the stability of its
character, and in the permnnency of our
present institutions. But public faith, like
Individual credit, can he firmly established,
only by uniform and unvarying fulfilment
of all engagements. and, in one case, MS in
the other, what it has taken years to build
up, may be destroyed in moment, and 10y
single dishonorable act.
When the present administration rame
into power, the national faith was establish
ed on basis too strong 10 he shaken by
any thing bet some act of the government
itself. How has this high, this honorable,
this enviaLle reputation been sustained !?
Is it unimpeached and nnimpared? Let
the complaints of the injured Cherokees
answer. Is it not humiliatng to every
American, that we should he tainted, and
justly too, by these sons of the Forest with
a fragrant breach of our plighted faith
with a wanton violation of most solemn and
honorary obligations' In a recent article
in the New York Journal of Commerce, the
Editors Of that paper advise the Cherokees
to make the best bargain they can with our
Government, and give up their lands and
remove TO the west of the Mississippi
They gave this advice, not as doubling the
rights. of the Cherokees. but, on the same
principle that they would advise lamb
(were he endowed with intelligence to I'M
derstand) to abandon his own green pas
ture when invaded by ravenous wolf who
would not respect his rights. The Chero-
Zee Phenir has republished the article, and,
in commenting on it, after admitting the
respect and attention to which the advice,
coming from SO friendly quarter, is en-
titled, makes the following pertinent and
forcible remarks:
Should those, into " hose wise hands the af
fairs of the nation are placed, agree to removal
we would be the last to oppose it, provided, it
be not agains, the will Of the people. But here
is question, which, we confess greatly puz.
zles us; and that is,--would the present Ad-
mlnistration respect 18th Treaty, after tramp.
ling sixteen preceding ones under foot A
doubt arises within the mind of every Cherokee
respecting the course which would be taken by
the Administration. in case n new treaty should
be made. What proofs there to convince any
man that il would lift finger towards the ful.
flment Of lis pledges? Has not the present
Administration declared to tho world that
Treaties made with Indians are not binding p
In an Administration who would acknowledge
our rights, and who would not consent to the
violation of Treaties, the case would be quite
different"
Thus we see, not only, that our character
and our reputation are gone in the estima-
ton of the Cherokees, but, that in conse-
quence of the loss OF their confidence we
are, probably, deprived of the advantage
which might otherwise accrue to us, by
making such treaty with them as would
settle al existing dific ulties, and put to
rest forever the controversy which has aris-
en- between Georgia and the Union in con-
sequence of the claim of the former TO the
possession of the Cherokee lands. But, the
evil does not end here; the eyes of the
world are upon us; we are disgraced in
the opinion Of all civilized people; and here
after we shall be looked upon, as a nation
regardless of the the principles of common
honesty and justice; as destitute of re.
gard to our national faith, and 10 be bound
only by the influence of selfish interest OF
the fear Of physical force.
INDIAN HosTILITIEs. During the mas,
week alarming accounts have been in cir
culation, Of the commencement of new In