In 1824, John Ross, Cherokee chief, wrote to Congress, “We appeal to the magnanimity of the American congress for justice, and the protection of the rights, liberties, and lives, of the Cherokee people. We claim it from the United States, by the strongest obligations, which imposes it upon them by treaties; and we expect it from them under that memorable declaration, ‘that all men are created equal.’"

Why do you think Ross reminded the Congress of the words of the Declaration of Independence? If you were a member of Congress at this time, would his words persuade you? Why or why not?

Question

In 1824, John Ross, Cherokee chief, wrote to Congress, “We appeal to the magnanimity of the American congress for justice, and the protection of the rights, liberties, and lives, of the Cherokee people. We claim it from the United States, by the strongest obligations, which imposes it upon them by treaties; and we expect it from them under that memorable declaration, ‘that all men are created equal.’"
 
 Why do you think Ross reminded the Congress of the words of the Declaration of Independence? If you were a member of Congress at this time, would his words persuade you? Why or why not?

anonymous · Answer

Perhaps to remind the Congressmen of their values; the things  that their fathers had stood for that  resulted in making them a great nation. Any Congressman would think back to the time that Britain had treated them unfairly and would have a better understanding of the struggles that this tribe was facing. If I was a member of Congress, I think this would have persuaded me. Knowing that you demand the freedoms to yourself yet denying those same freedoms to someone else would make me feel guilty. Reflection on the past and then realizing that I had become no better than Britain was at the time of the writing of the Declaration would make me regret any action that was unfair, whether by law or whether by the simple reguard for others as human beings with rights.