Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1838-07-12
THE cHERoKEEs.

of their fathers to regions beyond the pale of cvii
zation we did not expect that injustice and cruelty
would be resorted to to accomplish his object. We
thought no one could look upon the feeble and
scattered remnants of the mighty nations, who once
ruled the land we now occupy, without having his
heart touched with sorrow at their present, hapess
condition aud the memorable destiny that awaits them.
But the result only shows how easy it is to be msta-
ken. They have been treated as if they were nit
partakets OF our common hnmanty-as if there was
no link that connected them to Gods human family,
and therefore have no claim on us for protection,
sympathy or even pity. The manner in which the
Cherokees have been elected from their lawful
homes, is but fair illustration of the Indian policy
ofhe party, which still retains possession Of Ma
tional administration though contrary to the wishes
of large majority Of the American people. The
Cherokees no longer depend on the precarious ISL
ness of hunting for sustenance. They long since
gave up the implements of hunting for those of agri
culture and manufacture and are now pursuing Cor
were before there forced expulsion from their (homes
the occupations civilized life. Butby what color Of
right is General Scott now moving the Cheroees to
the western wilderness. Arethey intruders on the
public domain Are they In unlawful possession Of
the territory Of any state? Have they violated any
treaty or proved even unfriendly to the United
States? A hasty glance at few of the most PROM
inent facts in the case will answer these questions
Forty years ago these people held the undsputed
control of 3s,0OO,0OO acres of land. At different
times prior to 1920, they sold to the United States
all but about 5000 600 This they considered
sufficient for their use and the United States guar
anteed to protect them in the free and unre-
strained use Of this land forever. Our Government
came under solemn treaty obligations TO protect their
boundaries, to protect Their right OF occupancy, ana
to protect them from external molestaton.
Our national faith thus became pledged. not only
to respect as nation the rights of the Indian but al
SO to prevent the States or individuals from tramp
ling on those rights. What can the Indian now
think of our national fith' when we speak to him Of
the binding effect Of treaties he not turn to u.s.
with looks of reproach, and shy your promises are
written in water-ther remembrance dies with the
breath that brings them to our ears. The faith Of
the white man is like the track the skuking panther
on the sand-the wind blows and It's seen no more
You have suffered, contrary to your promise, the
State of Georgia to extend her laws over US
to seize our lands, and gamble them out by lotte-
ry among her citizens-You have suffered her to
treat as criminals and bury in dark dungeons those
whose only crime was, coming to US as messengers
oe peace and ministers of truth In Short you per-
mtted us to be treated with almost every species Of
injustice and cruelty, that sefshness and tyranny
could invent And yet our arms have not been
raised against the white man--The war Ratchet still
rests in its peaceful slumbers; for we thought our
father at Washington would remember the faithful
Indian, deal Justly it'll him and protect him from
injury. But he too has proved faithless. All alike
have conspired against the despsed, prosecuted
redman. 1H4
Two or three summers ago he sent serpent
tongued agent to us to buy our remaining lands, and
bid us 60 towards the great waters of The west; Blu
we would not listen to his voice. and out Of ls,001
people composing eur nation, he conld get but 300
persons men, women and children to hearken t
him; these, by free distribution Of money, he IN
dueed to sign paper; this he called treaty witt
| the Cherokee nation, when in reality we, as a ma
ton, had nothing to do with it.
We sent our chiefs and headmen to your grea
council to tell you that you were deceived, that W
/ had formed no treaty-that only 800 men, wome
and children out Of 10000 met your agent and bride
ry induced many of them to sign. You told them
was toe late. right or wrong the pretended treat
must be fulfilled, just or unjust we must go beyon
the frontier. This is the white mans juatice-Thi
is our reward for long and faithful friendship Q
: fifty years.
We shall notTift the tomahawk against ycu we kno,
a our weakness, and shall leave vengeance in III
hands Of that God whom we have been taught I
> trust and obey. Weleave the bones Of our father
the protection Of the great Spirit, and 60, wher
the forked tongue Of the white cannot reach us
10 light up our council fires towards the setting SUM-
PRoscRIpTIoN. This has become the vaiyn
cry of tho tories Because Governor Kent has chose
! 70 regard the general wish Of his constituents an
: remove few gambling politicians from Office, an
al their places with men whom he j. more willn
to trust, the whole posse of loco-foco orators al
} tbunderng prescription, and the whole loco-foc
press echoes prescription.
Butts fsw years ago this same tory party, whe
they gained the soeptre Of power, advocated gen