WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1854,
474
massacres, the mid-night conflagrations-these attest the in- harmonious action which arose from this faithless conduct on the part of the Government or its agents. I know this may appear a very harsh assertion to make here, that our Government acts in bad faith with the Indians. I could ask one question that would excite reflection and -reminiscen·ces among gentlemen. When have they performed an honest act, or redeemed in good faith a pledge made to the Indians? Let but a single instance be shown, and I will be prepared to retract. I am not making a charge against the Government of the United States which is not applicable to all civilized Governments in relation to their aboriginal inhabitants. It is not with the intention to derogate from the purity of our national character or from the integrity of our institutions that I make the accusation; but it is because it is verified by history. It may be said that my remarks apply only to the Cherokees. I selected them as an example; not as the only nation affording examples; but, as I was more familiar with the circumstances in connection with that nation than any other; and having been more immediately identified with them, I selected them as an illustration of our policy. Look at the Creeks, at the Choctaws, the Chickasaws; look at every tribe that has ever been within our jurisdiction, and in every instance our intercourse has re- sulted in their detriment or destruction. Well, sir, what is now proposed to be done? Is it to redress any wrongs that the Indians have sustained? Is it to establish a new course of policy in relation to them? Is 'it to redeem any pledges given, or is it to violate our most solemn treaty stipula- tions, that they should not be further molested? Have we not land enough for the occupancy of our citizens? I believe we have one billion three hundred and sixty odd million of aci·es of vacant or public lands in the United States. What necessity, then, is there on the part of our citizens, that they require to have a spot, peculiarly consecrated by the pledge of national faith, and guaranteed to the Indians, in order to give them room and latitude? Are their necessities so great that it is unpatriotic to restrain them, and can our true policy be carried out only by their molestation, and the exercise of greater injustice towards them? It seems to me that it is an object worthy of the highest consideration of an enlightened, I might say, Christian people and that they should adopt at this late period some system cal- culated not only to ameliorate the condition of the Indians, but to
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