The Indian Dispossessed
his constituents without the benefits and patronage to which he is fairly entitled. His constituents may vigorously applaud his action in the Indian matter, but will they recognize it as balancing his failure to secure the new post-office building which they had a right to expect? If they do, will the memory of the righteous act endure until the next election day against the continual, daily want of the material thing? And even if the voters' sentiment carries them to this unusual length, will the political managers, the office seekers, who really sent him to Congress to get something, and to whom he is primarily accountable, permit his name to again appear on the ballot?
The answer to these questions is safely a negative one. Behold, then, the wide distribution of responsibility for this melancholy Indian business! Considering its intimate connection with the material, commercial favors which come to all the people through their Congress, is its persistence so inexplicable as it might seem? And did ever an iniquity more subtly fasten itself upon the very shoulders of a people intent on promoting virtue!
No wonder it persists. And under the same conditions any other evil which appeals to the selfish interest of the few can persist, because it indirectly promotes the selfish interests of the many. That which can be done in Congress by an irresponsible community can be done by any other irresponsible
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