469
WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1854
being made the motion cannot be entertained, as the Chair understands the rules of the Senate require unanimous consent to adopt this motion, which is equivalent to a motion to suspend the rules that requires one day's notice unless by unanimous consent." OPPOSING THE KANSAS-NEBRASKA BILL, FEBRUARY 14-15, 1854 1 I regretted extremely yesterday, Mr. President, that I was too much indisposed to proceed to address the Senate, so as to facilitate the progress of this bill as far as I may be connected with it. Though indisposed to-day, I have no disposition to embarrass the bill in the slightest degree; and, therefore, I shall now proceed; and though the apprehension of the Senate may be that I shall be tedious, from the number of books which are here exhibited, it is my intention to occupy but a short time. I have brought these books, respectable for their number, if for nothing else, as a matter of reference, and that the Senate may see how much pains has been taken in relation to the Indians by the Government of the United States, whether to negotiate treaties with them, to deceive them by promises, or to confirm to them rights long promised. I am aware, Mr. President, that in presenting myself as the advocate of the Indians and their rights, I shall claim but lit.tie sympathy from the community at large, and that I shall stand very much alone, pursuing the course which I feel it my impera- tive duty to adhere to. It is not novel for me to seek to advocate the rights of the Indians upon this floor and elsewhere. A familiar knowledge of them, their manners, their habits, and their inter- course with this Government for the last half century, from my early boyhood through life, have placed within my possession facts, and, I trust, implanted in me a principle enduring as life itself. That principle is to protect the Indian against wrong and oppression, and to vindicate him in the enjoyment of rights which have been solemnly guaranteed to him by this Govern- ment; and that is the principle, Mr. President, which I shall insist grows out of the course of policy avowed by this Govern- ment as far back as 1785. The Hopewell treaty was then negotiated with the Cherokee Indians of Tennessee. The country in which they lived was solemnly guaranteed to them. It was .promised that they should be regarded as a people in alliance with the United States, and that they should have a delegate in Congress. How far that has been complied with, the history of more than fifty years can testify.
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