Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-05-15
THE STORY OF
Davy Crockett Be Alvey. Sure You're Right

By ENID La MONTE MEADoWCRoFT

Fifteen years had passed since Gen. Jackson
and his army had won the war against the Creeks
At the end of that war, Gen. Jackson had held
council with the chiefs of the tribe.
You began this war against us and we've de-
feated you the general told the chiefs IF you want
peace now, you must sign treaty.
In that treaty you must agree to give half of all
your lands to the United States Government. We
VIII promise that your people may keep the rest OF
their lands forever
With heavy hearts the chiefs had signed this
treaty and had given up half of their country. And
for Is years the Creeks had been living and hunting
IN the land that was left to them just east OF the
Mississippi River
Other Indian tribes were also living on land
which the United States Government had promised
they might keep forever But now the Indians were
in trouble
The white men had discovered that the Indian
lands were valuable. Andrew Jackson was now the
President Of the United States He had forgotten the
treaty he had made with the Creeks. And he was
urging Congress to pass bill forcing all Indians
to move to the wilderness west of the Mississippi
River.
When this matter came up in Congress- Davy
crockett was furious. He told one of his Washington
friends about it, they ate dinner in their board
Ing house near the Capitol.
"A treaty's promise" he declared, reaching
for some butter "Not even President Jackson has a
right to break promise. And I'll fight against his
Indian bill as long as I've a leg to stand on"
you'd better watch what you say, Davy," his
TREND warned him: ANDY Jackson's wrong about
this bill But he's right about lot of other things
And he's we'll liked everywhere"
Yes" Crockett agreed, "but-"
Jackson comes from your State, too" his
friend broke in. "The people there are all for him.
If you vote against his BILL maybe they won't elect
you again."
Then I'll go home and hunt bear!" Crockett
exclaimed. He shook his head "Id rather be an old
do what know is wrong% he went on GIVE got
saying that live bv And I'll never go back on it,
Whats that?" his friend asked curiously.
BE always sure you're right then 60 ahead
Crockett q Grin Ind fiOhf
what know is right, no matter what it costs me-
You'll get in trouble with the people who
elected you if you do" his friend warned
Davy Crockett shrugged his shoulders And that
very afternoon he began his fight against President
Jacksons bill He talked against it boldly He said he
knew he was the only Representative from Tennes-
see who would vote against the BILL
But if I were the only man in the United
States who dsapproved of it, I still would vote
against it, he declared in ringing tones. "And
would be glad that did until the day died.
II know about these Indians. Many of them live
out in my part of the country. They believe in the
treaties we've made with them. They've taken up
some OF the white mems ways They're farmers now.
Peaceful farmers And TIL never vote to send them
across the Mississipp where thev may be attacked
by Warllke tribes These Indians have rights just
we have, and treaty is the HIGHEST law of the land"
Again and again Crockett demanded that the
treaties with the Indians be kept Many people felt
as he did, though only few were bold enough to
say so.
The bill was passed at last by Congress. The In
uldIlS we're IOrceQ TO move across Cne MISSISSIPPI
And when election time rolled around again, Davy
Crockett was defeated. But people all through the
country were talking about his courageous stand
against President Jackson.
There's man who'll fight for what is right
and stand uD for those who are weaker than he is"
they said. And they repeated Crockett's saving "Be
always sure you're right, then go ahead
This saving was printed in newspapers through
out the country So were many stories about Davy
Crockett. Some stories poked fun at him, saying
that he could grin coon out of tree, and calling
him a "coonskin Congressman" Other stories told
of his fame as hunter in the backwoods of Ten
neSsee.
Plays were written about him. piece of music
was composed, called "Crocketts March" book
was written about him which told the story of his
life Soon he became so popular that he elected
to serve third term in Congress.
At the end of this term he decided to take
trip through the East He wanted to see more of his
country: And the people wanted to see Davy
Crockett
Everywhere he went, they flocked around him.
eager to get a glimpse of the backwoodsnan who
had dared to stand up against the President of the
United States. Great crowds gathered to meet him.
They demanded speeches from him. They pushed
forward to shake his hand
They gave him a beautiful gold seal for his