Posted on 11/16/2001 1:19:58 PM PST by alloysteel
At least two of my grandfathers were killed by Indians, but I try to go easy on American treatment of the continent's natives. We had our troubles; were no more or less "moral" than the Indians regardering "murder."
But this sect Farah writes about is scary and dangerous.
"What for?"
"Because it's mine."
"Where did you get it?"
"From my father."
Where did he get it?"
"from his father."
And where did he get it?"
"He fought for it."
"Well, I'll fight you for it."
Carl Sandburg
Finally, a historical question of land transfer not related to the middle east.
Illbay, help me here. We didn't steal New Mexico, Texas and Arizona, did we? I thought we bought it from the Mexicans, who bought it from the Mexicans.
I know one of those types and from the way she gets, they will be as irrational as the fanatics we are dealing with currently. I fear things will never really get better. There are too many movements not in sync with the American vision.
This article is well worth reading - long but it's from Lion Gardiner's journal (my 8th great grandfather is mentioned several times in it):
Exerpts from Lion Gardiner's Journal
Mostly what the Englishmen did was in self defense, but they had to fight or be killed to the last man. A tiny snippet from the above link:
"Then three days after the fight came Waiandance, next brother to the old Sachem of Long Island, and having been recommended to me by Maj. Gibbons, he came to know if we were angry with all Indians. I answered No, but only with such as had killed Englishmen."
The above account will not be found in modern history books and it is similar to what we are now being forced to do in Afghanistan as one who plows through the entire exerpt will conclude. That's pretty much how it really was in those days.
Thats mighty white of you! I love America...its the greatest country anyone ever stole!
I would be interested in learning what your statement means.
In other words, what are you trying to say?
well, I meant what I said! oh..maybe I should explain that part of my family origionates from the continents natives. Nice of him to take it easy on them. I didnt mean anything derogatory, I love America...and simply put..it is the greatest nation anyone ever stole. It wasnt discovered...at least not by anyone from Europe. Im sure my ancestors woudl be interested in knowing that they were lost.
I probably didn't make myself clear enough. In spite of having ancestors killed by Indians, I have no anger, or claim to moral or other superiority. Although there was more than ample land for everyone to settle, America's treatment of natives, particularly in the west, is nothing for America to be proud of.
Canada did a better job, but it still results in a lot of problems.
I am with you. I love America. If I could have my way, we would treat natives as well as possible.
One grandfather and uncle (his brother) were killed in 1706 in Maine. They had come from the Channel Islands in 1671. Another grandfather was killed in Indiana, in 1812. His son (another grandfather) was injured in the same (unprovoked? sneak attack at their cabin). In 1812 they had been there 5 or 10 years, so it wasn't like they had just come upon the place, and taken it. In spite of this experience, this family later converted to Mormonism, which held Indians in special regard.
Simply put: The land that the US Government continued to take from them before they arrived on this continent and the land that they continued (into present day) to take from them. I agree with truth_seeker, there was more than enough land for both civilizations to share. The US govt. made numerous land deals with the NATIVE Americans only to swindle it from them later. Even in present day the Native Americans still dont receive even as many rights as the African Americans.
Exactly, Give them an Inch and they will take a MILE.
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