The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-12-17

eovsr,nsuG, By this or that party. ars. with tAs
America PEOPLE, Of paramount iuportaaes. Iswss
the fatal misfortune Of Mr. Calhoun that he fall in-
to the snare Of qualification. 1t was the great D1is
fortune Of Mr.. Clay that he did not stick to the
republisan, or democratic Psrty, and Of Mr.. Web
stsr that he was never identified with II Tho
treschsry Of the Wigs to both Clay and Webster,
on the other hand has been FINAL and fatal TO Thorn
as party. The whig party exists only in history;
but the American people, in the days Of Washing
tor, jefferson, Madison, and Jackson are sound snd
consistent upon the broad national principles Of
republcspism, the constitution, and tho Unsn.
The RED NEN OF AHERIcA-rHErR DESTINY
Not the least interesting instructive Of the docu-
ments which have recently been laid before
il the annual report Of the Indian Department..
There is no subject, perhaps, to which our attention
s 20 frequently called, and with so little practical
fruit, the dton Of the Red Men there are few
we are sure, which are entitled to more serious
and thoughtful scrutiny from the phlauthropst and
the politician. Two opinions sre generally found
to prevail smorg the public on Indian affairs--the
one, emanating from people whose warmth Of heart
obscures the accuracy Of their judgment, condemns
in unmeasured terms the injustice and cruelty with
which the white men alleged to have treated the
aborigines Of the soil the other, springipg from
those who seldom troubled with scrupes of CON-
science at all, simply claims the use of the lands Of
the Indians, without throwing out single sugges-
ton as TO their subsequent lot. The former, though
mistaken, possesses Mt least the merit Of noble
philanthropy; the latter, though sanctioned by
practice in many instances is unworthy of an Amer-
In IN ho<h IN
point of departure being minor priRcipls Of
aygrand law Of nature.
We bhall arrive moro surely at an accurate COM
prehension Of our duties and relations towards the
primitive inhabitants Of this continent, if begin
by laying down tbs broad doctrine tina. the FIRST
obligation Of man is TO contribute to the advance
meat Of the world. This is, in truth, the main con-
diion of our existence. We cannot neglect il with
ont forfsisiDg claim to the blessings we enjoy
This fundamental principle is undoubted in theory,
and has been unconsciously elaborated in the
practice of nations Wherever q savage race has
come in contact with q civilized one, the for ner
has given way, as being the least calculated to
advance the general interests Of humanity. There
have been ipstances-too many, alas, at our own
doors-where the assertion Of the supremacy of tho
cultivated has cost its rival its prosperity, and
its existence; but there are accidents insepa
rable from grand convulsions Of nature, in which .
part must suffer for the general benefit of the whole
Tribe upon tribe Of Indians have persisted from
the ills introduced by the white man into America;
but if We estimate the advantages which tae whole
world has derived from the growth and progress
Of the United States, they would seem cheaply pur-
chaaed by humanity, if their price had been the
total extinction Of the Indian race And it is to us
matter Of sincere satisfaction that tho evils ne.
cessarly attendant upon the civilization of this con
tinent, have BEEN sedulously mitigatsd by our laws
that while we have obeyed the grand injunction of
our Creator, in spreading over the globe race of
men who labored to fulfil the destiny He had set
them, we have net been unmindful of the private
veal Of those whom 1t was our fate to replace.
The history of the contest between the white and
red men" says Mr. Commissioner Lea, "besrs wit
ness to the fact, that the victor has, in general,
manifested generous desire not only to spare the
vanquished, bat to improve his condition 1t would
be q difficult tack to count the enormous sums of
msney that have been expended by the government
and by philnnthropic individuals, in their manifold
efforts to reclaim and cvilize the Indians within
our limits" Whether, a. the sangane Commis.
sioner predicts, the ultimate redemption of the To-
dian race is practicable, or whether, Ike many
other races both Of and the lower order Of AMI
mails, they have already fulfilled their destiny, and
are doomed to perish, one by one, till tho last red
man has disappeared from the face Of the earth, it
would be presumption in us to decide. We cannot
disguise an apprehension however, that the latter
is the mere probable termination Of the conflict
Meanwhile, they have unquestionable claim on
for . resting place. We had right to take from
them-peaceably if we could, forcibly if we must
lands which were useless in their hands, and which,
in ours, have ministered to the wants of mankind,
but net without compensation. This conpansaton
we firmly believe has been very rarely, if ever with
held by the United States. The report no v before
us proves how steadily our government has KEEP. it
in view. 1t is therein suggested that the California
lndisns should be divided into two colonies and To-
Gated in the northern, the other in the south.
ern district of that State. The Menomonees have
been removed to the designated for them be-
tween the Wolf and Oconto rivers, near Green Bay,
and express themselves we'll satisfied with their new
home. The Chippewss are being slo ~ly removed to
the banks of the Grow Wing river some few yet lin
ger around the baunts Of their childhood: bat the
number is diminishing daily. We are sorry to see
that the just intentions of the government have not
been invariably accompanied by the prompt action
which the nature of the matter required By the
treaty of lS4S, the President agreed to provide
territory west of the Mississippi, for the Stockbrdge
Indians; this covenant has not been fulfilled, and
the tribe are suffering great inconvenience pro-
vision, also, is required for the Christian Indians
who emigrated from Canada, and who are now in
truders the territory Of the Wyandots; Congress
should give its earliest attention to the subject.
Firm hopes are entertained that the Seminole In
dams win adhere to their agreement to emigrate;
late advices from BILLY Bowlegs" represent him
using his influence to procure the. removal Of his
people from Florida. On every side, North, West
and South, the picture-the gradual retreat Of
the savages before the Entertainments Of the white
man-meets our view.
There is another and more painful fact revealed
in the report Tae Indian population Of the CONT
naut ia diuninishinO nj fearful rata Now IL IN