Public Opinion

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Dissatisfaction Among the Indians - Arkansas Gazette - May 30, 1838

     We regret to learn, that considerable dissatisfaction is daily manifesting itself among some of the Creek emigrants, who have been removed to our western frontier, within the last year or two. Our informant says they show but little disposition to plant corn, or to do anything for their future support. In several instances, they have destroyed their own fences and other property, and given other evidences of a turbulent spirit; and the old women among them have been heard to declare, as soon as the green corn is fit to pull, THE WHITE PEOPLE MUST LOOK OUT!
     We are not disposed to excite alarm among our citizens, by every idle report that is put in circulation; but this comes from such a source as to leave us no doubt of the hostile intention of many of the new emigrants. Our informant is a gentleman of undisputed veracity who has been engaged for many years in removing the Indians to the west, and has just returned from that country. He does not think there is an immediate danger to be apprehended, but has no doubt, if the military force on the west is not greatly increased, and that, too, shortly, we may anticipate hostility from some of the new emigrants within the coming year. If anything like a general rising should take place, the little handfuls of troops on our frontier, dispersed, as they are, at several stations, would scarcely be able to protect themselves, much less afford protection to our citizens, from the scalping knife and tomahawk of the savages.
     Can there be anything more unjust and inhuman than the course which our Government is pursuing toward the citizens of Arkansas? It is sending thousands on thousands of Indians to be our immediate neighbor, and the greater portion of them have been driven from their homes east of the Mississippi, at the point of the bayonet, and come here with the most embittered feelings toward the white people generally. Indeed, the great portion of them carry the marks of determined vengeance in their countenances, and no one can doubt that they will embrace the first opportunity that offers to wreak that vengeance on our unoffending citizens. And yet an unfeeling apathy prevails in Congress with respect to our critical situation. The President and Secretary of War appear liberal in their views, and have, time after time, recommended the opening of roads, the building of forts and blockhouses, and the increase of the military force, on our frontier, to an extent which would give us ample protection and security. But Congress will not second their efforts. Every attempt at an increase of the Army, or to an expenditure of money on this frontier, meets with the most violent opposition. Every measure that is presented by the Administration, is made a party question - party rules everything. Almost the entire time of the present session of Congress has been consumed in useless and protracted debates of subjects of the most trivial importance, and which have been conducted in a manner that reflects on credit on those who participated in them, and casts an indelible stain on our national character.
     But it is useless to dwell on the subject. Congress has thrown the Indians on our borders, and it is their duty to protect us be the expense what it may. Although the present session is drawing to a close, we do not despair of something being done to insure our safety, before the final dispersion of the members. If not, it may be to late to apply the remedy before their next meeting. Ere that period rolls around, the direful scenes of Florida may be enacted in Arkansas, and their flagrant neglect of duty and want of humanity, be written in the blood of hundreds of our unoffending and unprotected citizens.

SOURCE: Arkansas Gazette, May 30, 1838.