The Kansas herald of freedom., 1855-02-10

tons in relation to the einigrated tribes
in Kansas Territory, who, by the policy
Of the government, adopted more than
thirty years ago, and reluctantly acqui-
esced in by them, were removed to and be-
came inhabitants of the country now en-
braeed in this Territory. Already many
of them have cedel, andit isexpec ed that
others viii cede the larger portion Of their
lands to the United States, for the use and
occupa. ion of our citizens. The faith of
the nation was pledged in the most SOL
emn form before these tribes removed to
the region west of the Mississippi, that
they should have the undisputed posses
sion and control of the country, and that
the tracts assigned to them therein should
be their permanent homes. Itwas called
the "Indian Territory" and the inter-
course act made it unlawful for white men
to go into it, except on license obtained,
and for special purposes; and, in this Sc
cluded home, it was believed the efforts
of the government and the philanthropist
to civiiize the red man, would be more
successful than ever before. Such was
not the case, however. Our population
advanced rapidly to the line which was
to be the barrier, and with the emigration
consequent upon our acquisitions from
Mexico, and the organization of our new
Territories, necessarily subjected the In
dians to that kind of contact with the
whites which was sure to entail on them
the vices, while deprived of the good in
fuences of civilization.
! In the recent negotiations for their
lands, the Indians dwelt upon the former
pledges and promises made to them, and
were averse generally to the surrender of
any portion of their country. They said
that they were to have the land ..as long
as grass grew or water rum" and they
feared the result if they should yield any
part of their possessions. When they
/ did consent to sell, it was only on condi-
ton that each tribe should retain por-
ton of their tract as permanent home
All were unitedly and firmly opposed to
another removal. So fixed and settled
was this idea, that propositions clearly for
their interess were rejected by them.
" The residences of the tribes who
have recently ceded their lands should,
therefore, be considered { subject in a
few cases to contraction of limiss) as
permanently fixed. Already the white
population is occupying the lands be-
tween and adjacent to the Indian reser-
yation, and even going west of and be-
yond them and at no distant day all the
country Immediately to the west of the
reserve, which is worth occupying, will
have been taken up; and then the cur
rent of population, until within few
years flowing only from the East, will
come sweeping like an avalanche from
the Pacific coast, almost overwhelming
the indigenous Indians in its approaches.
1t is therefore, In my judgme clear, be-
yond doubt or question, that the emf
grated tribes in Kansas Territory are per-
manently there--here to be thoroughly
civilized, and to become constl. .uent por-
tion of tie population, or there to be de-
stroyed and exterminated. Whata spec
tacle for the view of the sta1esman, phi
lanthropist, Christian subject for the
most profound consideration and refec-
ton. With reservations dot-ing the east
ern portion of the Territory, there they
stand, the representatives and remnants OF
tribes onceas powerfuland dreadedas they
are now weak and dispirited. By al,er-
nae persuasion and force, some OF these
tribes have been removed step by step,
from mountain to valley, and from river
to plain, un they Lave been pushed
hall way across the continent. They can
go no further; on the ground they now
occupy the crisis must be met, and their
future fa:e determined. Among them
may be found the educated, civilized, and
converted Indian, the benighted and in
velera heather, and every intermediate
grade. But there they are, and as they
are, with outstanding obi CATIONS, in their
behalf, of the most solemn and impera-
tive character, voluntarily assumed by
the government. Their condition is a
critical one such as to entitle them not
Ionly to the justice of the government, but
to the most profound sympathy of the
people. Ex5ermination may be their fate,
but not of necessity. By union ol
good influences aud proper effort, be-
lieye they may and will be saved, and
their complete civilization effected.
"Be that as it may, however, the duty
of the government is, in my opinion,
plain. 1t should fulfill, with the greatest
promptness and fidelity, every treaty stip-
ulation with these Indians; frown down,
at the first dawning, any and every at
tempt to corrupt them; see that thell
ample annui.ies are directed faithfully tc
their education and improvement, and moi
made the means of their destruction; in
cessantly resist the efforts of the selfish
and heartless men. who by specious plans
and devices, for their own gain, may seel
to distract and divide them; require dill
igence, energy. and integrity, in the ad
ministration OF their affairs, by the agent
who may be intrusted with their interest:
and welfare; aud visit the severest pen
allies of the law on all who may yiolat'
its salutary provisions in relation to them
Let these things be done, the co-opera
ton of the civil officers, magistrates, ant
good citizens of the Territory secured
and the most active efforts of the friend
of the benevolent Institutions now exist
ing among them brought into exercis4
for their moral culture, and by harmoni
Gus and constant effort and action,
change may, and it is believed Will, b
brought about, aud Kansas become dis
tinguished as a land in which the com
plete and thorough civilization of the re,
man was worked out and accomplished.
~ There are men of ability in ever.
walk of life, who are notorious for neye
getting along. Usually it is because the.
never stick to any one business. Jus
when they. have mastered one pursuit
and are on the point Of making nouey
they change it for another, which thel
do not understand; aad, in little while
what little they ara worth is lost forever
Go where you viii, you viii generally tint
a. -. h,x-a faifod IN In ia ara fhoc,