John Ross and the Cherokee Indians #261180

In the written records of America the place accorded the aboriginal peoples who once ruled over the whole western world can scarcely be considered a reputable one. The very name Indian is a misnomer due to a geographical error of the fifteenth century which enlightened knowledge has failed to correct. On the pages of United States history the Indian usually appears seated at the council fire grimly plotting the destruc tion of his enemy, or formidable in feathers and war paint, toma hawk in hand, he lurks darkly on the outskirts of civilization awaiting an opportunity to fall upon defenseless pioneers Whose scalp he can display as proof of his prowess. That he has ever cherished any but sinister sentiments for those who dispossessed him of his birthright or that he has exercised any but destructive influences upon the history of the country has been too often ignored. It is even denied that he is capable of anglo-saxon civilization.