Daily national Democrat., 1859-10-23

the Union. This desire is more manifest
with the Southern wing of the Democracy,
because they know very well that, if these
Indian Nations are admitted as States, it will
strengthen the slaveholding portion of the
Confederaey, the said Indian Nations recog.
nizing, as they do, the institution of slavery
and owning large number of slaves. Every
effort of the Abolition Missionaries among
them TO cause decree of their Councils abo-
ishing slavery has been without avail, and
avowed Aboltiouists entering their limits
have been compelled to flee for their lives.
Since the appearance Of our several arti-
cles upon this subject, we have been very
innocently asked 10y persons, anxious to be
informed on the subject, whether these In
dian Nations could, eonstitutioually, be in
corporsted into the United States, or, in other
words, could they become citizens of the
United States. This question is very easily
answered, and we propose to give satisfac-
tory reply in a few words. Indeed, it is a
matter of wonder to us that any one should
be In doubt upon the SUBJECT.
Certain it is, that the Indian Nations had
no part in the political community which
framed the Constitution of the United States,
but it is very evident that they were not nee.
ess0rly excluded from all participation, there
after, in the rights and privileges of Ameri
can citizens, in case they became civilized
and desired such rights and privileges The
only population of North America which
rested under such ban was the negro popu-
latiou, and they for the obvious reason that
they were slaves and held in such state of
inferiority as to be considered property. The
whole course and policy of the government
of the United States, in relation to the In
dian tribes, have been a complete recogni-
tion of their ultimate right to become cti-
zens. end, had the policy been Systematically
pursued which was favored by President JEFF
ferson, several Indian States would already
have been admitted into the Union.
In confirmation of this course and policy
of the Government, the Supreme Court of
the United States, finding it necessary to lay
down in the Dred Scott case the political
status of that portion of the inhabitants of
the United States who were not a part OF
the political community framing the Federal
Constitution and who were not contemplated
as capable of becoming future members of
the community growing up under it, took
particular pains to define the position of the
Indian Nations of North America upon this
point. Chief Justice Taney says, in giving
the decision and opinion of the Court
The latter [refering to the Indian tribes
it is true formed no part of the colonial
communities, and never amalgamated with
them in social connections or in government.
But, although they were uncivilized, they
were yet free and Independent people, as
sociated together in nations or tribes, and
governed by their own laws. Many of these
: political communities were situated in terri
tories to which the white race claimed th,
ultimate right of dominion. But that claim
was acknowledged to be subject to the righ
Of the Indians to occupy it as long as they
thought proper, and neither the English
nor Colonial Governments claimed or eXer-
eised any dominion over this tribe or nation
by whom it was occupied, nor claimed the
right to the possession of the territory, until
the tribe or nation consented to eede it.
These Indian Governments were regarded
and treated as foreign governments, as much
so as if an ocean had separated the red man
from the white; and their freedom has con-
stantly beea acknowledged, from the time Of
the first emigration to the English Colonies
to the present day, by the different govern
ments which succeeded each other. Treaties
have been negotiated with them and their al
lance sought for in war; and the people
who compose these Indian political commu-
mites have always been treated as foreigners
not living under our government. 1t is true
that the course of events has brought the In
dian tribes, within the limits of the United
States, under subiection to the white race
and it has been found necessary, for thei
e sake, as well as our own, to regard them a
in state of pupilage, and to legislate to
f certain extent over them and the territor
0 they occupy. But they may, without doub
like the subjects of any other foreign govern
ment, be naturalized, by the authority of Con
greSs, and become citizens Of a State or of til
Uhited States; and if an individual shoul,
p leave his nation or tribe, and take up hi
abode among the white population, he woulC
be entitled to all the rights and privilege
which would belong to any emgrant from
any other foreign people"
1t is perfectly evident, therefore, that ther
is no constitutional difficulty, whatever, il
the way of the incorporation of the territor,
ofthe civilized Indian Nations into the Amer
lean Union. A simple Act of Admission o
, an Indian State, with general declaration
that the entire population, excepting tn,
;. slaves should be, in all respects, citizens o
the United States, would be sufficient to an
swer all the requirements of the occasion
The Spanish inhabitants of California. al.
though foreigners, before the conquest, be
came citizens of the United States, by virtu
e of a treaty, Tor supreme law which recog
e nized them, after a certain lapse of time, a
citizens of the Union. The Indian Nation
being regarded as upon the same footing sui
statially with foreign subjects, general la'
of Congress accompanying the Act of Ad
mission or Annexation or Incorporation, woul
make them citizens of the United State