In this speech, President Andrew Jackson defends and praises the Indian Removal Act. With complete disregard for the cultural heritage associated with tribal lands, he exalts the governmentâs generous offer to pay for native land and relocation. He believes it is for their good, saying that perhaps under the right influence Natives will eventually âcast off their savage habits and become an interesting, civilized, and Christian community.â Jacksonâs speech, while tough to read in a modern context, provides valuable insight into the historical attitudes that led to âThe Trail of Tearsâ and other acts of cultural genocide against Native Americans.