Alexis de Tocqueville
Notebook, July 20, 1831
Journey to America
In the midst of this American society, so well policed, so sententious, so
charitable, a cold selfishness and complete insensibility prevails when it
is a question of the natives of the country. The Americans of the United
States do not let their dogs hunt the Indians as do the Spaniards in
Mexico, but at bottom it is the same pitiless feeling which here, as
everywhere else, animates the European race. This world here belongs
to us, they tell themselves every day the Indian race is destined for final
destruction which one cannot prevent and which it is not desirable to
delay. Heaven has not made them to become civilized; it is
necessary that they die. Besides I do not at all want to get mixed up in
it. I will not do anything against them: I will limit myself to providing
everything that will hasten their ruin. In time I will have their lands and
will be innocent of their death. Satisfied with his reasoning, the
American goes to the church where he hears the minister of the gospel
repeat every day that all men are brothers, and the Eternal Being who
has made them all in like image, has given them all the duty to help one
another.
Notebook, July 20, 1831
Journey to America
In the midst of this American society, so well policed, so sententious, so
charitable, a cold selfishness and complete insensibility prevails when it
is a question of the natives of the country. The Americans of the United
States do not let their dogs hunt the Indians as do the Spaniards in
Mexico, but at bottom it is the same pitiless feeling which here, as
everywhere else, animates the European race. This world here belongs
to us, they tell themselves every day the Indian race is destined for final
destruction which one cannot prevent and which it is not desirable to
delay. Heaven has not made them to become civilized; it is
necessary that they die. Besides I do not at all want to get mixed up in
it. I will not do anything against them: I will limit myself to providing
everything that will hasten their ruin. In time I will have their lands and
will be innocent of their death. Satisfied with his reasoning, the
American goes to the church where he hears the minister of the gospel
repeat every day that all men are brothers, and the Eternal Being who
has made them all in like image, has given them all the duty to help one
another.
