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WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1857
413
the law of nations, of nature, and of nature's God; he assails a man with a flag of truce, and then inflicts on him every personal indignity that can be possibly offered; disgracing not only his own person, but those around him, by resorting to the savage process of scalping, and sending off the scalps as trophies. This is done by an enlightened, accomplished, military man? If he can stoop to such things, what can you expect from the untutored, rude border man who is in contact with the Indians every day? What incentive has he to act from higher, more noble, and more generous impulses than his commander, or his governor? Sir, I will vindicate the Indian from the charge of bad faith- not that my intelligence is superior to that of other gentlemen, but my contact with the Indian tribes has been greater. My habits of life have thrown me into association with them. A por- tion of my life I have passed with them; I have partaken of their hospitality; I have felt their friendship; and when their character is wantonly assailed here, 'I will vindicate them against the powers of eloquence, and the elegant adornments of genius. This is my duty to them, but I have a higher duty to perform to truth and to Heaven. We are told that we have passed beyond the point of fixing a policy that will reclaim the Indians, but that they must become extinct. The distinguished Senator from California, in whom I have much confidence, says that some thirty thousand Indians have disappeared in that State within a few years past. Is not this a solemn admonition to us to interpose whatever power we may have to rescue these tribes from ruin-to save these people from destruction if possible. We have it in our power. It is to be done by the appointment of men of integrity to office among the Indians-men who stand above the influence of pelf, and are deaf to the calls of cupidity, and avarice--men who·cherish in their hearts the noble impulse of justice towards their fellow- men, though he be branded with a different hue of skin. There was once a system by which some justice was done to the In- dian-I allude to the factory system of the United States. Re- vive that, and you will not only save the Indians, but you will invite hi~ and induce him to embrace civilization, agriculture, and the useful arts. Let trading houses be established among the different tribes of Indians, and have a confidential and trust- worthy agent residing with the factor. Let the Indians congre- gate around the factory to receive their presents. Let them see manifestations of improvement in the arts of civilized life. When
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