Resistance and Removal

  For the lit circles, I read a section on the resistance and removal of Native American tribes from their historical homelands to land designated for them by the American government during the 1800s. Expanding America desired more territory and, through some potentially questionable treaties with the Native Americans, the government acquired Native lands. Some (very unpopular) Native leaders such as Elias Boudinot signed off on said treaties; others, like Black Hawk, insisted that the Native peoples were unaware of the implications of such agreements. The selections were more politically focused and persuasive in nature than I expected. I had assumed there would be at least one personal account of forced relocation or something similar, but, alas, there were none. At any rate, the selections were still interesting.
  The method of persuasion varied by writer. The language and phrasing used by Black Hawk showed a good grasp on the English language but the writing was also a little awkward and less "flowery" than other texts from the section where the speaker or writer was more integrated into the white American culture. Black Hawk lists the injustices done to the Native Americans and explains how the government used trickery to obtain signatures for the land treaty. He speaks of his struggle to keep peace and point to a generally quiet response on the part of the Native Americans and demands justice be done. 
  The Pawnee Chief sought to hang on to his culture and ancestral land; this came through strongly in his method of persuasion. He establishes a kind of equality between the Natives and the white people by claiming that the Great Spirit made both peoples and intended their differences (Winthrop anyone?). He then says that the white people have only made the Natives discontent and done more harm than good; the Pawnee chief basically tells the white people to mind their own business and leave the Natives to their intended life. I was particularly interested in the speech given by the Pawnee Loup Chief. He speaks of his concern for the unprotected solitary white people among the Natives, claiming deep love for the white people, and suggests that he won't be able to restrain his bold and blood-lusting young men. While the speech is set up as a warning out of loving concern, it reads like a very clever threat.
  Elias Boundinot was educated in the white community, which comes through in his method of appeal and his fluent writing. He points to the United States as benevolent benefactors of the Native peoples, playing on flattery. He suggests that the Native community is becoming "civilized" and "Christianized" under the influence of the United States and suggests that the Native Americans could continue their improvement best in their own lands. The Cherokee Council's memorial uses notes of the Declaration of Independence as part of their persuasion technique along with an appeal to the United States as benefactor and teacher of the Native peoples that is similar to Boundinot's.
  Ralph Waldo Emerson, who was not of the Native American peoples, spoke up on behalf of the Native Americans and against the injustices done against them. Emerson points to the disconnect between the freedom and justice ideals of the American people and the oppression and injustice occurring against the Native peoples. Emerson suggests that the United States is acting as the true savage in this situation. He uses a lot of powerful language: "hitherto, the sweet omen of religion and liberty, will stink to the world" (pg. 587) "the millions of virtuous citizens, whose agents the Government are, have no place to interpose, and must shut their eyes until the last howl and wailing of these poor tormented villages and tribes shall afflict the ear of the world."