481
WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1858
it would be to their interest to do so. If they obtained from the United States fair treatment, they would not allow individual members of the tribe to act to the detriment of the tribe; but the Indian is not thought of; he is not cared for; as I have observed before: he has no political influence; he has been an object of rapacity and robbery ever since our first intercourse with him. l\fore than one hundred millions of money have been paid to the Indians, and what have they benefited by it? Against all the malign influences the white man has interposed to their civiliza- tion, many tribes have risen up into respectability, civilized, en- lightened, and christianized. Those tribes have overcome all the difficulties, have dispelled all the clouds of ignorance and heathen- ism that surrounded them, and now have the bright light of science and the immortal light of religion shed around their heads and in their pathway to direct and guide them. The Indians, Mr. President, have amongst them men who have overcome these difficulties; for within my recollection there was nothing of the artisan in a whole nation now so civilized and enlightened-the Cherokees. Fifty years ago they were in dark- ness; they were wild, rude, and savage; but in half a century they have become cultivated, civilized, enlightened, and christian- ized. They were surrounded by whites, and sympathy resulting from that acquaintance on the borders gave them, in most in- stances, that protection which left them to themselves to imitate the arts of the white man; and as their ambition arose and civili- zation shed its benign influence upon them, education took the place of ignorance and light of darkness, until they have now become illumined by the full radiance of literature and science. Why cannot other Indians do the same? Because they are not objects of sympathy; they have no political influence; they have no vote to give; they can reciprocate nothing that is done for them; are objects of cupidity, of rapacity, and of rapine. When- ever you undertake to exercise an influence, such as a Christian, an enlightened, and a glorious nation as this ought to do, you will reclaim the Indian from his wild pursuits, convert him into the agriculturist, the grazier, the artisan; you will make him a man of social and domestic habits, and all the blessings of civilization will recompense him for his efforts in that direction. This can be done. Let it be commenced and followed up with an earnest and honest determination on the part of this Government, and you can dispense with your frontier army; you will not have the Indians to war against; you will not be required to annihilate them; they will not be objects of rapacity; they will not feel indig- nant at you; they will not find it necessary to make reclamation
Powered by FlippingBook