Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1854-02-15

| H. unstaiionary-p MI the sereiionary
powers 60 be vested in Territorial Government
of the first class. | think tits giving too much
power, too much discretion, 10 n population that
will not probably amount at first TO more tim a
few hundred individuals. Still. however admit
that this is but question of time. do not think
IL point of vital Importance.
When consider the prodgious rapidiiy with
which population is increasing by its native
growth when consider the tide of emigration
which is pouring in every year from Europe, n
phenomenon the parallel Of which does not exist
in the history of the world an immigration of
three or four hundred thousand Of which the
greater part adults pouring into this country
every year, adding 10 our numbers an amount OF
population greater than that of some of the older
States. and those not Of the smallest size, md
that this double tide flowing into the West. so
TINT what is wilderness to-day is settled neigh
borhood tomorrow; when consider these things,
| do admit that question of this mature is but Il
question of time: and, if there other diff
ioulty attending the bill, should not be disposed
TO object to it on this score.
But, sir. the relation of the Indian tribes to
the question il, | confess, in my mind, matter
of greater difficulty. Senators all know that the
esastern strip Of this Territory, believe for its
whole extent certainly from the southern boun-
Diary of Kansas far up to the north is occupied
by Indian tribes and the fragments of Indian
al the Indians who there, | believe, have
already undergone one removal, aud some of
Them two. In pursuance Of the policy which was
carried into execution on so large scale under
the Administration Of Gen. Jackson, large
number of the tribes and fragments of tribes
collected upon this eastern frontier. of the
proposed Territories Of Kansas and Nebraska,
and have remained there ever since, some Of them
having made considerable progress in the arts of
civilized life.
The removal Of the Indians of the
prominent measures Of Gen. Jacksons admins
hation. II happened TO be my fortune. srit
WIS twenty -four years ago, believe; my friend
from rennosse (Mr Bel) viii recolect it-as
member Of the other House, to take an active
part in the discussion Of this question. He will
remember. am sure, the ardent but not unfriend-
~ conflicts between himself as chairman Of the
Committee on Indian Ailnirs, and myself on that
subject. then maintained that it impossi-
BILE, if you removed these Indians 10 the West,
Ia give them ''permaAent home;" for that was
the cardinal idea, the very corner stone of the
policy Of Gen. Jackson, to remove the Indians
from their locations east of the Mississippi river,
where they were crowded by the white population
and undergoing hardships of various kinds,
far west as would allow them to find n permanent
home. venturcd TO say then that in my opinion,
they could find no more permanent home west
than east of the Mississippi. My friend from
Tennessee thought otherwise, and said so, speak
ing, | am sure, in as good faith MS | did in ex-
pressing the opposite opinion. But the policy
was carried through and an act passed
thorizing an exchange of Indian lands. ! will
read a single short section from that act:
''Sec. 3. Ind be il further enacted That, in
making such exchange or exchanges, it shall
and may be lawful for the President soemnly to
assure the tribe or nation with which the ex
change is made that the United States will forey
er secure and guaranty to them and their heirs
and successors the country so exchanged with
them; and, if they prefer it, the United Suites
will cause II patent or grant to be made and
executed TO them for the same: Proeided, al
rays, That such lands shall revert to the United
States if the Indians become extinct or abandon
the same"
This was the legislative foundation of the pol
icy; and Gen. jackson deemed it of so much con
sequence that, in his farewell address, he con
graduated the country on tho success with which
it had been carried out; and his successor, Mr.
Van Buren,, in one of his annual messages, spoke
of ii in the same glowing terms.
Now, sir, these were the hopes, these were the
expectations ON which the policy of removing
the Indians west of the Mississippi proceeded
do not recall the recollection of the subject re-
proachfully. | have no reproach to cast upon
any one. Events which no mortal could have
forsocn have taken place. The whole relation of
rtorial acquisition on the Pacific and the admis-
sion of sister State in that quarter of the Union
have created political necessity of an urgent
character for improved means of communication,
and fear that it is not possible to preserve intact
this Indian barrier But want information on
that subject. | should like to hear other Sena-
tors who understand the bect much better than
| do tell us how that matter stands, and whether
il is absolutely necessary that this measure should
20 on, which, it seems to me, if not conducted
with great care, will be attended with great in
convenience, if not utter distinctions to those
remnants of tribes.
If we must use that hateful plea of necessity,
which am always unwilling TO take upon my
lips; If we must use that tyrants plea of necess-
ty, and invade "tho permanent home" of these
children of sorrow and oppression | hope we
shall treat them with more than justice, with
more than equity, with the utmost kindness and
tenderness. Now, am unable to say, not hay
ing ample information on the subject how their
condition will be affected by the clauses in
the bill which were struck out yesterday am
unable to see how it will be affected by leaving
the bill without any provisions i'll reference to that
! subject. | suppose there are to be provisions in
regard TO il in some other bills. | think the Sen
ator from Illinois ntimnted as much but what
the measures TO be proposed are | should like to
be better informed. haveno suspicious on the
subject; have no misgivings. | have no doubt
that Senators and the Executive will be animated
with the purest spirit of humanity and tenderness
towards these unfortunate ielow-men but |
should like to know what is to be done with them.
should like to know how the bill, in its present
condition, or with such supplementary measures
as are to be brought in hereafter, will leave these
| persons, who depend upon us, upon our kindness,
| our con SiuprntiOn for +heir aNistnnon /