Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1854-12-30
TIE CH0CTAW INDIANS AND THE
AMERICAN BOARD.

The following communication from u Choclaw
chief, gives evidence that the Indians have well
learned their slayeholding lesson. The American
Roard, which has connivcd at slavery among the
Indians, tolerating it in their churches and apollo
giving for it, are now reaping the fruit Of their
labors. They are driven into close quarters, be-
tween the anti slavery Of tho North and the pro-
slavery of the Indian converts. The Choctaw
Shareholders are quite Independent. Pit. the mis-
sionaries had not exercised this virtue from the
commencement of their labors, slavery would, in
that case have presented a different aspect from its
present deficient position.
MESSAGE OF TIE CHOCTAw CHIEF.
The Commissioners of the American Board of
Foreign Missions presbyterian Church, Jho re-
Gently met ut Hartford, Conn, decl ared Ivy resolu-
ton that unless the Choctaw General Council
repealed an act passed at the session OF last year,
prohibiting the missionary teachers in charge OF
schools in the nation from teaching slaves and the
children of slaves in the same schools with Chloe
taw children, they would withdraw their teachers
and such sums of money as they have been yearly
contributing to aid in their support.
They intended their clergymen to SO forth and
preach the Gospel to all men, Of whatever color, in
accordance with character and duty; and further
declared that they would not desist nor leave tho
nation until drive II out by force. These proceed
ings have excited the Choctaws very much ant
they appear united in the sentiment of utter con
domination OF them.
Col, Harkins, the Chief of the Nation in hi
message to the people, holds the following Ian
guage on the subject. lIarkins is described in
letter in the Now Orleans Delta, as Il man of edu
cation, decided Intelligence, and great boldnoss an
energy of character. He says:
1t seems that the American Board Of Missions
at its recent meeting, held at Hartford, Conn
had under consideration the school act of the las
session of the General Council, and were so offend
ed at it that they at once passed resolutions to dis
solve their connection with the Choctaw schools.
What are we to infer from this, but that the
have had their secret designs, and possess a create
regard for tn. welfare of the slaves among US thai
for the Indians.
There is no state in the South that would be wi
ling for the abolitionists to teach their slaves
They dare not attempt it. And is it because W
are Indians they suppose they can have this priyil
eye among us? II the abolitionists are not Statistic,
to teach our children alone, then | say, for one, lie
the connection between the American Board 0
Missions and ourselves be dissolved, and every alb
olitionist be made to leave the nation at once W
have treatedthe missionaries sent among us by tn
American Board of Missions as well as ever mis-
sionarics were treated by any other enlightenc,
people.
We placed our children in their hands we CAV
them lands to cultivate, and placed under thei
management our school fund-thus showing, OF
our part, not only a reliance upon their liburs, bu
an open and c~onfiding spirit. Never once have w
prosecuted them, Or attempted to drive them fron
our country, even those whom we knew to be ZOO
men. We hive not prevented them from prcachin,
to our slaves.
This has been the course pursued by the Choc
taws towards the missionaries sent among us. Blu
we had Il right to pass laws prohibiting them frOr
teaching our slaves, because, on this point, W
knew them to be dangerous people, who ncithe
regard the laws of God nor man, as binding upo
their conduct or console .ces. Because we hay
done this, the American Board Of Missions loo
upon it as an outrage, and declares it's intention t
withdraw its teachers from our schools.
let ii be done; and the sooner the better. Let u
look for Missionaries and teachers from anon
men who will not attempt to prescribe our civ
; rights, and whom we can live with in peace an
} amity, and from whom we will have no fe ,rs tina
they will teach to our slaves anything beyond wll
the apostles Of Jesus Christ taught in t~hcilday.
If to please the abolitionists the council shoul
repeal the act which has given the American Boar
spirit arise amongst us which will not cease unit
every abolitionist is driven out Of the country.
Repeal that act, and you at once agree to hay
your councils dictated to by the bIlitionists of til
North. Our people need not fear that the schoo
will cease ON account Of the threatened withdraw;
Of the present teachers ly tie American Board
Missions. 1t was our money that brought the!
hither, and surely our money can bring us othel
as good, if not better.