Cherokee Phoenix

'THE INDIAN BUSINESS.'

Published May, 28, 1831

Page 3 Column 4b

'THE INDIAN BUSINESS.'

We intended to copy a paragraph which we find in the columns of a contemporary under the above bill, but the low ribaldry of the article entitles it to nothing by contempt. The moral sense of any man who can stoop to cast reproach by such means upon these suffering and oppressed people and upon whose who have stepped forward as their advocates against high handed oppression and rank injustice must be miserably depraved. There are but few, thank God, in this state or in any other, where the people are not familiarized to oppression and slavery, who do not condemn the faithless and unjust policy which has been pursued towards these weak and defenseless people.

It is said the court have decided 'that Gen. Jackson is right in his construction of the laws and treaties.' That Georgia is right in 'exercising jurisdiction over the Indians.'--'and that the Supreme Court cannot interfere with the courts of Georgia relating to the Indians.' This is all untrue. No such decision has been made. The only question decided was that the Indians cannot as a nation bring an original suit or action in the Supreme Court of the United States. But so long as the law of Congress stands, which expressly provides that all causes in which the validity of any treaty or law of Congress, or any right claimed under a treaty or law of Congress shall be decided against, may be carried before the Supreme Court of the Union from the state courts, by appeal or writ of error, so long will the Indians have a clear and perfect right to bring their cause before this tribunal. In the justice of the Indian cause we rest with undiminished confidence; and that the Supreme Court will sustain their cause when properly brought before it, we doubt not. Even now, the men who have countenanced and advised these measures of oppression and tyranny are bowing before the scorn of the people of the United States, and shrinking into merited contempt.

Hamilton Intelligencer.