The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1832-01-03
From the Tolland Aduocate.

H. The third annual Message OF our
present Chief Magistrate is now before the
public, and our readers have had an opportu-
nifty TO Judge OF its merits. We regard il as
one of the most valuable of American State
papors--and containing, as it does, flatter-
ing account of the nations prosperity, its in
creasing wealth and importance in the scale
of kingdoms, cannot but be the pride of ev.
cry citizen To be known and acknowl-
edged as free people, was once the highest
boon of America to be received by all
nations on tho most favorable terms, to have
our flag respected and honored on every
sea, and our friendship sought and esteemed
by the great and powerful, now forms a con-
trast calculated to inspire us with the liveli.
est gratitude, and fix our opinions more per-
manently in the policy, wisdom, and integri.
ty of our government.
Ofour present relations with Foreign Pow.
ers, we have reason 10 boast. Our claims for
indemnity upon their governments have at
length been acknowledged, and treaties have,
in many instances, been formed, which will
ensure to our injured countryman that Justice
which has hitherto been withheld. The pol.
icy pursued In obtaining these treaties, has
been Of a character calculated to conciliate
the feelings Of all interested-and is equally
complimentary to our government, whether
we regard the spirit manifested, or its bens.
fiicial results. The most grievous and ex.
tensive spoliations on our commerce have
been committed by France: these have al.
ready been adjusted, and the unfortunate suf.
ferers will doubtless receive, under the pres
ent administration, an indemni6caton for
their losses. Those committed by other
Powers, are now in favorable train Of ne.
gotiation, and from what has already been
accomplished, we have good. reason to pro.
dict the most favorable terminations.
Tho views ofthe President upon the Indian
question have hitherto rendered him obnox-
ious to that portion Of our citizens, who, un.
der what we think misguided and intem-
perate zeal, are opposing the measures which
government have taken in their behalf We
cannot discover the injustice or impiety Of ex.
tingushng the Indian title to all lands with.
in the chartered limits of the States, If it be
done on reciprocal terms--and we are not
sensible Of any attempt on the part Of our
government, to effect this in any other way.
a large appropriation from the Treasury,
and an extensive tract ofterritory beyond the
Mississippi have already been devoted to this
object, which, with tho assistance and pro.
lection promised by our government in their
new habtations, furnishes. in our opinion, Oh
adequate consideration for their present
bodes. II 10 also evident that the condition
of the Indians will be improved by the ex-
change. Time and experience have shown
that their contigui,y to tho whites is, to them
as i were, moral pestilcnce; whilethc rap.
id decrease Of their numbers affords full cvi.
donce that to them, the hand of civilization
is little less than the chilling grasp Of death.
Those numerous athletic tribes that once lit
their council fires on the hills Of New Eng
land, and made the wclkin rosound with their
war.song and savage mir,h, have long since
retired before the arm Of industry and i'm
proyemcnt The bones of their ancestors
and the tombs oftheir fathers could not pre-
serve their devoted race--tbe destroyer was
among them, and neither the blessings of civ.
ilzaiion, nor the consolations Of christianity
could stop his ravagcs. The forest, in its ma
tive wildncss, is the only home for tho poor
Indian. THE splendid city and the costly ed.
ifce have no charms for him, nor do the ef-
Terminate smuscments Of civilized society a.
ford him any pleasure. Their vices he cop
ice and ro,sins, long after the rccollee,ions