The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-12-19
THE CHEROKEES.

THE CHEROKEES.
During the last summer, a writer who wields
powerful pen commenced series Of essays in the
"Union" upon the subject of the Cherokee claims.
He appealed to the liberty of the press. We needed
no such appeal for his request was granted as soon
as it was made, because the Cherokees had a
right, in this form, to reach the ear OF the gov.
eminent. We threw open our columns cheer
fully to his productions; and VIC told him, az
we told deputaton of the Cherokees who waited
upon us--"We will furnish you with the means of
being heard by the people and their government
We lend you our bow, and you must furnish ar
rows from your own quiyer." The numbers APP
peared from time to time, but they were suspended
We repeatedly, UNFORTUNATELY appealed to the au-
thor to finish his abors. He had other engage
ments, however, or new views of his duties adj
dressed themselves to his consideration. II is
tain, he did not complete the work which he had
commenced with so much ability and so much sue
cess.
A new champion now appears upon the field. He
has published two numbers in the Union" The
third was put into our hands to-day. We hesiated
upon it's publication. We saw in il fierce and fearful
attack upon John Ross, and we saw in it the COM
mencement of severe contest through our columns
We were unwilling to plunge the "Union" into a
paper war, at this time, crowded, as its columns
are, with the public documents, the proceedings of
the two houses of Congress, and with discussions
upon the great questions of Oregon and the tariff
We stated our difficulties to the author of I" Boudi-
not.n But letter which we have received in reply
4 .la- aud,
overrued our scruples. He represents the case in
the most earnest, and, indeed, eloquent terms:
"The subject involves the highest duties of our
government and the interests OF humanity Ross is
public man. quasi foreign and claiming to be entirely
foreign. Things will have come TO an extraordina-
nv pass, when the press Of this country becomes
closed to the discussion Of the structure and acts Of
his government. One of the leading presses here
has been long devoted to him; and if the other is to
be closed to the victims OF his tyranny, or to the
friends who sympahze with them God help the poor
and oppressed, whom this government is bound to
protect Persecution, plumber, and death have many
of them suffered for want of the information this
discussion is designed TO impart and dreary indeed
is the prospect of the survivors, if the public press
of this country is to be closed to their complaints
and the causes. If, when the press of their own
country is not only unapproachable, but is calling
for companies of assassns to hunt them down, they
shall be denied access to the press of the United
States they will present melancholy spectacle to
the civilized world, and will have little prospect left
of any other relief than to abandon their country
forever or sell their lives as dearly as they can.
III beg you to reconsider the subject do not
ask more than column twice a week. BY con-
firing the privilege Of reply to the same space, you
will not be seriously incumbered While the truth
must be told in reference to Rosss public acts mere
personalities will be avoided.
"My interest in this matter was at first mere bu-
"a Ia, in he
thorough conviction that no set Of men on earth
have been more unjusuy and cruelty dealt by than
the old settlers and treaty party among the Chero-
KEGS; and that my country will deserve the VEN
geance of Heaven IL do not give them protection
and redress their wrongs"
This appeal is irresistible. We have no interest
in the subject, except the feelings of man and an
American citizen. We have taken no part for or
against John Ross. But the press would be worth
little more than " sounding brass and tnkling GYM
bal if such invocatons could be heard in win; and
especially, when the objections which we suggested
to discussion at this moment can be overruled in
this manner. We shall publish these numbers as
they come to us; and beg their author to recollect
the conditions which he has himself prescribed.
We must reserve to ourselves the right of consult
ing our own convenience, or rather the comparative
claims which other matters may have upon our col
umns. We shall extend to Mr. Ross the privilege
of reply, circumscrlbed by the same conditions.
The third number of "Boudinot" therefore follows.
For the Union
CHEROKEE AFFAIRS.-No. iii.
The Cherokee government founded in murder and
tspvpaiion--its present altitude.
The following extract Of letter from Mr.. J. F.
Schermerhom to the Commissioner oflndian Affairs,
dated Sd August, 1895, describing what he saw,
gives an accurate idea Of the instruments by which
the Cherokee nation is governed, viz
| Ross "has heretofore had uncontrolled sway
over the Indians and the emperor of Russia and
his mobiles have not their vassas under more abso-
lutte control than Ross and his principal men appear
to have had the common Indians. AT the council,
they were not permitted to leave their ranks or cross
certain line during the day, and marched of to
their camp the moment the council adjourned; and
| every delinquent was marked; one but the lead
ers were allowed to mingle with Ridge and his
party nor to at the table, nor drink at the
same spring. Indeed they were drilled equal to a
Swiss guard to do only chai hey csre hidden. They
were marched by their leaders in solid columns to
give their votes as they instructed; and with
| out knowing, il is believed, the question on which
thew were voting; as ascertained by the agent
from inquiry Of them as they came up to give In
their votes DOC. 100, p. 46, Senate, I'd session,
25th Congress.
| When. through these miserable dupes, John
Ross had resisted the execution of the treaty oil
1895, until he compelled the United States in 1888
to send their army into the Cherokee country east
to seize and convey them TO the west, he offered
for most enormous compensation, to lead the emil
grafton himself, and give the government no further
trouble Fatal to its own friends was the policy oil
the government in accepting this offer, and soon
afterwards putting into his hands about 500, 600.
1t re-estabshed his waning influence with the ig-
norant Cherokees, and strengthened his hands 10
take vengeance on his enemies and perpetuate his
power.
In 1889, he found himself at the head ofh clans
under the patronage Of the government, in the peace
ful country Of the western Cherokees. Those kind
hearted people, though they considered the forced
emigration under the treaty OF 1885 a gr,evous
wrong committed upon Them by tho United
States, took their eastern brothers by the