The Washington union., 1857-09-18
INDIANS AND NEGROES.

INDIANS AND NEGROES
of the countless tribes of real native Americans
who inhabited that part of the continent within our ma
tionalurisdiction, only about half million Indians are
stili remaining In wars, mostly among themselves,
and che diseases Incident to their situation and rea
tons to the European races the residue have perish
ed. Unless preserved in tradition, and in a linn
tied number of printed volumes, even the names of
hundreds of tribes have been forgotten or lost But
many of the noble, brave, and generous of the
survive, scattered mostly between Niagara and the
Rocky mountains and the Pacific coast Those east
of the great cataract have mostly disappeared with
the advance of the whites and few are now left east
ofthe Mississippi, and they diminishing in numbers
west of it. Under constitution we have broad
power to regulate intercourse with those who
remain. BY treaties and Legislation we operate
with almost unlimited effect upon their present and
future interests ami welfare. Whatever human phi
ianthropy accomplish in educating and civizing
them, and sheltering them from the widespread
evils which abandoned whites scatter broadcast, is
within the undisputed authority Of the national gov
erprnent. Here is broad field for the exercise of
the best motives and kindest influences which char
kim shelter and protect the red man, teach him how
10 live and to become civilized and to worship the
true God. Instead Of driving him from the
tincnt and extingushing his noble and manly race
with vices which follow civilization instruct him in
virtues, and make him, whom no power could en-
slave or humble, equal, and perpetuate his race
with it's increased and multiplied virtues
Having taken from him, through rightand through
wrong, continent rightfully his, and reduced
his red family limited circle let us unite in doing
whatever wisdom and philanthropy may dictate to
protect and preserve him and them in future, and
elevate him as high persevering ingenuity can
raise him. Both policy and duty demand this at
our hands.
The negro differs as widely from the red man as
from the white. Like the white man. he came here
not to possess his own, but to occupy in conjunc-
ton with him. the domains of the original red owner
The negro left his native land not because he had
not the right to remain and enjoy it, but because
he became the subject of power, first of his own
countymen in selling, and then of the whites in buy
ing him, without regard to his personal rights in
terests or wishes, and he and his descendants be-
came residents in America and servants to another
and controlling race In framing our national inst-
tutions the importatons from abroad of persons to
be held to service, after limited period was for
ever prohibited. Except provision for surrender Of
those escaping from one State to another all control
over this class left with the respective States
Tor their exclusive management and control and
each State acts for itself with responsibility neither
TO her sisters nor the federal government. No effort
however common or extended in other States OF in
Congress, can change the condition or rights of
either party in single instance Each State must
and for herself with reference to her own views
OF right and duty, and is responsible to herself
alone.
In this condition of things it cannot fail to strike all
sensible and fair minds with special wonder that the
the Indian, whose domain occupy, with all his claim
to our sympathy, is overlooked and forgotten. and
those of the negro alone clamorousy urged upon the
consideration of the national government What the
government can constitutionally and lawfully do for
the aborigines-the real native American--attracts
no consideration and demands no action; while. in
relation to the negro, Congress and the people are
clamorously called upon to do what neither has the
least right to perform. Newspapers teen with in
cendiary articles, and demagogues rave with frantic
declamatory rant, in relation to what they cannot
constitutionally or lawfully change, while both sleep
over the recedng opportunity to extend the saving
hand to Natures noble red man. whose race is coolly
lett TO disappear with the setting sum- and to live
only in legends and poetry. The American negro
whose position is happier and more elevated than
the kings and emperors of his former native land
and who would not return there 70 become their
equal, commands noisy, wordy sympathy, while
the rights of the American forest prince and his kim
dred, and our duty to them, fail to awaken even
common solicitude. Why liz this2 The reason is
easily understood. Political considerations consti
tute the difference. No political party can attain
power by espousing with special zeal the cause Of
the red man. All can agree to obtain and use his
lands, crowding him towards sunset, whether be
there finds resting place not Blu. the negro in
servtudc is in one end of the Union and il is expect
ed to sectional feeling against that portion