The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-03-25

with similar guarantee agans the establishment OF
State Territory Including their lands and thai treaty
ratified by the Senate fixed the destination Of that country
IL 90 be Indian territory, and other as long as SIM
gle tribe existed which engaed to II under that guarantee
That It's destination, understood by the Senate and
by the Executive when the treaty made with The shaw
of Wapaghkoneta with the Soneeas and Shawnees OF
lewiston and with the Oowas and the Two other tribes
which emigrated 10 the territory west OF Missourl and
whether of those treaties has been abrogated not
whether more Of the tribes treated with upon the
terms happen to be included within the boundaries
specified IN this bill not is not material they emigraied
TO the territory west of Missouri, and now reside there
My argument is that all the emgant tribes which removed
alter 1880 We're induced 10 remove under the same assu-
and guarantees, whether specifically stated IN the
treaties made with them not and that II would be fraud
upon the Indians TO give different Interpretation TO the
obligations Of the government The and OF
the obligations contracted wh the Indian tribes which emf
grated the country of Missouri and Arkansas in
conformity with the policy OF Indian removal adopted IN
$780, and the proper Interpretation and construction Of those
obligations, will be best explained by referring what was
said upon the subject by who the chief actor,
and most responsible in all that relates both the adoption
and execution Of that policy In message of the President
of the United States General Jackson Congress in 1895,
we md the following passages connected with tins subject
"The plan of removing the aboriginal people who yet
remain within the settled portion of the United States TO the
country west OF the Mississippi yer approaches lis consu
nation.
"Al preceding experiments for the improvement of the
Indians have failed. be established fact
that they cannot live In contact with civilized community
and prosper.
he necessary for their political advancement,
and for their separation from citizens have not been
neglected The pledge of the United States has been gwen
Congress that the country destined for the residence OF
this people shall be forever secured and guaranteed TO
them
"a country west OF Missouri and Arkansas has been
signed the into which the white settlements are not TO be
pushed No political communities can be formed IN that
extensive region except those which established by the
Indians themselves by the United States for them, and
with their barrier has been raised Tor their
protection agans, the encroachmens of citizens and
guarding them, as far as possible from hose evils @hch
4 Hnye br0u
i Mr. President be allowed to feel more than COM
mon sensibty to any violation OF the obligations OF me
government contracted with the Indian tribes When this
whole subject OF Indian lights and Indian wrongs was
brought the notice othe country and thoroughly discuss
ed-our relations with them claiming to be the guardian of
these children Of the forest and they looking up the
President their Great Father chairman of the
Committee on Indian Affairs in the House OF Representa-
ves and had to bear my full share of responsibility in
tanning the policy of Indian removal against the attacks OF
| its opponents.
| have always differed from my friend from Texas, Mr..
HousToN and others who have maintained that the Indian
susceptible of high development of their mem
tel faculties the white race and that all their msortunes
be attributed to the encroachments of the white man
upon their lands. have been hopeful of the re-
suits Of the experiments which making TO ciyize and
elevate their condition have always held the opinion
that all the government do for them, under any plan
which may be adopted them from their ancient
habits and induce them to cultivate the arts OF civilized
life will have other result than postpone the period
of their final extinction; and that, IN the mean ume I'M
becty dependency and Incidence will be their chaac-
dian character only be found in their normal primitive
condition. and before their proud spirit has been lowered by
conquest
Bnt sir the question whether elevate
and improve the condition of the Indian tribes by
ing them adopt the arts and habits of civilized fe
is shall keep faith with them We can, least, do
that. We cam if disposed, maintain them in the
possession of country TO which they were induced TO
emiga,e by the most solemn assurances of the govern
of the United States that should be to them and their
children inheritance forever.
Well do remember Mr. President, the discussion upon
this subject than twenty years ago. alluded to by the
learned and eloquent from Massachusetts, MIR.
EVERETT and well do remember ALSO the doubts
by he temperate Of the opponents of the poll
y of Indian removal and the aun,s and eers of the
violent, who denounced expedent invented to ex-
cate the administration from the difficulties and embar-
easements brought upon by the nsata,e craving of the
white man, and no insisted that the Indian would
realize the hope OF that new land OF promise held out 10
him inducement emigrntetba the Indians would
find home, resting-pace thought they were mis-
taken
Before leave this point Of the subject Mr. President
express the surprise with which have been struck
by attending the tendency of this
known hroughou the country that the passage Of this bill
will affect very seriously the welfare OF the Indian tribes
within the bounds of the Territories proposed to be
organized and every dgen inquirer that there
question Of public faith involved in the provisions OF
this bill in relation TO the emgrnt tribes west of Missouri
Several honorable senators have spoken strongly and eo
quenty Of the duty of observing sacredy and invoaby
oil the obligations attaching TO certain compact under
tandg entered into many between the two great
sections of the Union and of them their appeals
to the people upon the subject denounce any violation OF
that understanding disbonorabe. Yet when IT is pro-
posed violate the public faith pghed the feetle Indian
tribes on the frontier not word Is nteposed TO save the
honor fthe country We hear Of appeal TO the sym
patty the justice Of the country in their behalf While
the Senate chamber rings with stirring appeals upon tn,
subject Of the wrongs of the African the wrongs of h,
Indian passed by in sience They present memo
riala his behalf Yet, these Indians mem Arr
they brethren OF the human like the African
Are they not born with the equality Of rghs-ina
enabie those Of the African or the white mann
i Here sir must be allowed a further depression. w,
have heard in the Of this debate, auson made C
Wilberforce the oboquy he incurred in high places, hi
triumph at Inst in the abolition of the slave trade and
slavery in the British Colonies The ausion, Of
suggests his fine accomplishments O scholar, ih'
excellence of his character man. and the brilliant amt
conceded him by tho whole class Of phlanhopsts ant
sen,meniaiss their great leader. Well sir, we doubt
less have asprans in this country the fame achieved by
Wherefore; but doubt, sr, whether they will ever affair
the elevated rank IN the scale of distinction TO which Wal
beorce and many of his supporters by their efforts o
the suppression Of the slave trnde well the abolition OF
slavery in the British colonies When the for the abo
uon Of slavery in the colonies carried in the British
Parliament in 1882 and the question Of indemnity TO The
STAKEHOLDER came up there scarcely dissenting voice
raised against the proprety and justice Of the propositions
and twenty millions of pounds serlingone hundred mil
lions Of dolars-were promptly voted for that purpose
Whatever moral guilt SAID the great leaders OF the abolition
movement might attach TO the STAKEHOLDER The greatest
share of the guilt and responsibility rested with the govern
ment which encouraged ard established slavery in the col
ones.
II But when, sir have we heard from any one OF our
American Wbororces, professional phanthropss and
slavery agltaors, he nvowo liberal and justl When
have any Of them, their fierce denuncatons OF slavery as