A review of United States Policy towards Native Americans reveals how destructive the pursuit of these ambitions have been to an entire Civilization, and how they continue today in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.

THE ACQUISITION OF PRIVATE PROPERTY AND WEALTH: The Underpinnings of American Democracy that Destroyed Native Americans

• "...there are certain qualities of his mind which shine forth in all the luster of natural perfection. His simple integrity, his generosity, his unbounded hospitality, his love of truth, and above all, his unshaken fidelity----a sentiment inborn, and standing out so conspicuously in his character, that it has not untruthfully become its characterictic: all these are adornments of humanity which no art of education can instill, nor refinement of civilization can bestow. If they exist at all, it is because the gifts of the Deity have never been perverted." (Lewis Henry Morgan, League of the Iroquois, 1851). Perverted, in fact, by "Christian Civilization" with its notions of private property, market economy, and the accumulation of wealth.

• In the very elaborate opinion delivered by Chief Justice John Marshall, in the case of Johnson vs. McIntosh, re-affirming the doctrine asserted in Fletcher vs. Peck, and speaking of the lands in occupancy of the Indian tribes, it is declared, that...the rights to soil which had previously been in Great Britain passed definitely to...the United States, or the several States...(that they)...have a clear title to all lands...subject only to the Indian right of occupancy....it was upon these conditions that the (Indian) tribe(s) agreed to accept, and to retain possession of the lands, which were thus assigned or allotted to them. (Jn. Macpherson Berrien, Office of the Attorney General to: John H. Eaton, Secretary of War, 1830)***

• The relation of the Government of the United States to the Indian tribes is, in many respects, a paternal one, founded upon the strength and intelligence of the one party and the weakness and ignorance of the other. (Indian Affairs: Laws and Reulations (with Commentary). Submitted to Congress by William Clark and Lewis Cass, 1829)**

• The fundamental principal that the Indians had no right by virtue of their ancient possession either of soil or sovereignty has never been abandoned expressly or by implication. (We are the)..masters of the lands that we claim by virtue of discovery and that is assured us, moreover, by the right of civilized nations to settle territory occupied by savage tribes. (Report to Congress, February 24, 1830)

• But the years gone by, since the settlement of this country, induces an apprehension that the first original inhibitants of our forests are incable of self-government by any of those rules of right which civilization teaches....Every day's observation shows that the near association of the white and red man is destructive of the latter. The history of our country, throughout every quarter, teems with evidence establishing the truth of this assertion, and points to the necessity of a removal....that the Indian..(the uncultivated and unhappy children of the forest..) title (to land) is to be considered a mere occupancy. (J.H.Eaton, Secretary of War: to John Forsyth, Governor of Georgia, 1829)***

• ....the prevailing idea in Georgia....is that they are the rightful owners of the soil, and that the Indians are mere tenants at will....they all want the Indian lands. (Hugh Montgomery: to Thomas L. McKenny, Office of Indian Affairs, 1825)***

• ...The Secretary regrets to find that the peace of the Indians is so disturbed, and that their property is taken from them lawlessly, by the white people of Georgia; but...he has no power over these encroachments.....(Thomas L. McKenny: to Hugh Montgomery, 1826.)***

• The whole region (near the Ouisconsin and Mississippi Rivers) is highly metalliferous, and its products and prospects have drawn there a crowd of adventurous persons.... The practical construction given to the right of reservation, secured to the Present, is, to allow any person to examine the country, and if he finds such indications of mineral as will, in his opinion, justify the speculation, to lease to him the tract of land upon which it is found.. Under this practice, the miners are now at work over a large extent of country; and, we understand....have established themselves on the land of the Winnebagoes.... The country....is more valuable to us than to them....affording inexhaustible supplies of lead. We think it highly necessary that the Indian title to it should be extinguished..(so as)...to enable the Government to procure a district embracing the mineral region...which would yield profitable returns to enterprising individuals.(Lewis Cass and Thomas L. McKenney: to James Barbour, Secretary of War, 1827)*

• For several weeks past we have been receiving the complaints of our citizens (Cherokees), respecting a new species of intrusion which is now practicing to an alarming extent.....It appears that there are hundreds of white men searching and digging for gold within the limits of the nation (Cherokee)...depriving us of property for which the faith of the Government is pledged for our protection. Whatever minerals, and however valuable, that may be found upon our lands, must surely be considered the undisputed and indefeasible property of the Cherokees, and thus to be deprived of their value (1500 to 2000 dollars worth of gold per day) and advantage is a subject of too much importance to be neglected by us, or that will escape your early attention, as we humbly hope. (Cherokee Delegation to: Andrew Jackson, President of the United States, 1830)***

• The citizens of our nation (Cherokee) do not consider themselves to have been treated by the Government as was contemplated and provided for in the law and treaty...by suffering intruders to ravage their country, plunder their dwellings, and by violence turn them out of their houses. Emboldened by the indulgence in their trespasses, their numbers are becoming alarming; and too many there are who think it an act of trifling consequence to oust an Indian family from the quiet enjoyment of all the comforts of their own firesides; and to drive off, before their faces, the stock that give nourishment to the children, and support to the aged, and appropriate it to the satisfication of avarice.(George Lowrey, Cherokee Deputation to: J.H. Eaton, Secretary of War, 1830)***

• The time when the Indians generally could supply themselves with food and clothing....has long since passed away...The dependence of most of the tribes upon the supplies furnished by the traders has been shown, and it will be apparent that the authority to withhold these supplies is a great political power, which may be exerted whenever the conduct of any of the tribes renders it necessary to resort to measures more efficient than usual, but not the less injurious than war. (Indian Affairs: Laws and Reulations (with Commentary). Submitted to Congress by William Clark and Lewis Cass, 1829)**,

• "We will not sell the spot which contains the bones of our fathers'" is almost always the first answer to a proposition for a sale. And they are now well aware that we are pressing upon them, and that a ceaseless tide is flowing onwards, before which they must flee or be destroyed. (Indian Affairs: Laws and Reulations (with Commentary). Submitted to Congress by William Clark and Lewis Cass, 1829)**

• In looking back upon the early condition of the Indians, we have no reason to doubt but that they enjoyed a fair proportion of happiness. They had land enough to roam over, and game enough to pursue...In general, the evidence of (a) declension in the aboriginal population is embodied in the history and progress of our settlements; and the causes which heretofore preceded it are yet in active operation, and are extending their sphere as we extend our intercourse and communications with them....Judging of the future by the past, we cannot err in anticipating a progressive diminution of their numbers, and their eventual extinction...(Indian Affairs: Laws and Reulations (with Commentary). Submitted to Congress by William Clark and Lewis Cass, 1829)**.

• The Americans of the United States achieved both results (to deprive Indians of their rights and their extermination) with marvelous ease, quietly, legally...To destroy human beings with greater respect for the laws of humanity would be impossible. (Democracy in America, Alexis deTocqueville, 1835)