Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1857-01-10
THE CHEROKEEs AND SLAVERY.

The civilization and Christianity Of the Chero-
kee Indians--their redemption from Paganism
and Savageism, is the boast and glory of that great
representative of American Christianity, the Amer
lean Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions,
They claim that their missionary efforts, continued
through near forty years, have wrought this won
derous and happy revolution. 1t must be conced-
ed that these missionaries have done much to
change the character Of this tribe Of Indians, and
that in the times of trial, persecution and robbery
Of the Cherokees by the State and national Gov
ernments, the missionaries have been their friends
and the fearless though unsuccessful advocates of
tn 'ir rights. But Mt the same time it must be con
fessed that from the pro-slavery and compromising
spirit and policy of the Board and of some of its
missionaries, and from the pro-slavery practices of
their civilized neighbors and christian brethren,
they have become adopts in practicing and defend
ing the Patriarchal institution. John Ross, long
their popular chief-now called their President,
has been these many years n large stakeholder, as
have also many of their distinguished men-and
amnng them the officers and members Of their
churches.
How aptly these men catch the policy. nrgu.
ments and habits of their neighbors, we learn
from the late message CT President Ross, to the
Legislature of the nation. After referring to the
state of religion, education, civilization, the fnar
ces and crops of the tribe, the message proceeds
to discuss the tulject Of slavery and charges the
missionaries of the Board with tampering with
slaves. Mr.. Ross says:
Complaints have been made to me by certain
citlzgns against persons connected with tho mis-
sions of the American Board in regard 10 alleret
improper conduct towards .heir slaves. These
complaints | have felt it to be due to courtesy anG
justice to submit TO the missionaries implicated
some Of whom had long lahored among the Cher
okees, in order that they might not be Dealt witt
unheard, and no steps taken that would injurious
y aft set their standing, without cause. SO soor
as the action of the mission churches reaches me
shall lay it before you for your information, anC
here | take occasion to remark that slavery bein.
recognised by the laws of the nation. is entitled tt
g protection from agitation and disturbance by citi
zens OF the United States, who have no right t
interior with the local affairs of the nation.
THE existence Of slavery among us is sanction
by our own laws, and by the intercourse of tn,
government of the United States. by which protec
ton is guaranteed to the Cherokee nation for tn,
enjoyment Of all political rights and privileges
The agitation of that question here cnn pIOduc,
? no good, and subserve no purpose but excitement
While the disturbed condition of affairs in Kansas
IN which we have lands on which some of our citi
zens are residing, attracts attention here as wei
l as elsewhere, 1t may not be improper for us 10 re
mind ourselves that our true policy is, tn mil d Gu
own business, and not travel beyond our Own linn
its to seek difficulties"
The Cherokees seem likely to be taken into til
, fraternal embrace of the South Carolina slave-hold
ers. And no wonder, when their Government
q administered go entirely in harmony with the Sou
Carolina administration of our national affairs.
The New York Evening Post says, in connec
, ton with this message:
W observed that the Revered Thomas Ram
baut, President of the Cherokee Baptist College
is now visiting South Carolina to solicit contribu
: tions for that institution, and that his missiun i
warmly commended by the Charleston Mercury
u prominent organ of the openers of the African
lslave-trade. ut is l case" says that journul
(which fairly appeals to the liberality of our com
munity, which is connected by SO many CONNIE,
! cidt Ties with the country in which the college
situated
We have no doubt that the commercial ties bc
tween the Cherokee and the South Carolina slave
owners are worth considering, and that the
p would be greatly strengthened by a restoration q
the ebony trade. There is a fine market for chea
: negro labor in the fat valleys Of the Arkansa,
$ and the Indians have their imam Of Ross" who
n disposed to confer this boon upon them. and who
n perhaps, wells his purpose under the declaration
a parrot-like repetition of White-HOuse instruC
c tions) that slavery has a righs to be protected fror
l agitation" &c, &c.
y Perhaps some wealthy South Carolinian Nigh
endow in this college Il profess 1rship with a vie,
Of posting the young copper-skins as to the Divin
attributes OF slavery, and the evangelizing inauen
ces of the middle passage.
G ELLTHU BURNITT, delivered q lecture ia Cincin
e natl last week on slavery. His plon is to appro
- mil . N ALn N.ll.o l--l a. r u
, slaves freedom. IIesuggested that Congress max
r provision by law, that whenever any state should
emancipate its slaves, an exact enumeration shout,
be taken and n certain sum paid to said stat
for equitable distribution. The would be no in
lfriugcuent Of state righte,