Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1845-10-23
An Indian state.

The Choctaws have elected one of their Chiefs as
Representative in Congress His name is Pitchlyn.
tie IS said to be man of intellect and of command
/ ing influence among his people.
The election of territorial Representative by the
Choctaws is regarded a step towards the organza-
tion of an independent government among the Choc-
Jaws and the neIghboring tribes, with view ult-
mate admission into the Union
The accomplishment of this design would work an
Important change In Indian policy, and would
tend to bring about new sort of relation between
our Government and the red men of the West The
Choctaws are among the most civilized of the Indian
Tribes they have, TO some considerable extent, made
! themselves familiar with agricultural pursuits and
with habits of settled mode of life. The want of
these habits has hitherto been the great obstacle in
the way of bringing the Indian tribes into friendly
associations with us. The general feeling of the
American people has always been well disposed to-
wards the admission of the Indians to all the prv-
leges of our government and Institutions but the ira
dons and habits of their forefathers, and their at
tachment to hunting in preference to any occupation
o. regular industry, have had too strong hold upon
these children of the forest. No attempts to cvize
them have yet had any complete success The pre-
sent movement, however, coming from the Indians
themselves, seems to promise well. A Representa-
tive of the aboriginal sitting in the Great Coun
Gil of the white man, a brother amongst brethren,
will constitute living bond of consolation to draw
both races into friendly coalescence And who, of
all that shall assemble in the capitol, will have bet
ter right to sit there than the son of the soil
The territory which Pitchlyn will represent in Con-
gress is said to contain eighty thousand Indian
warriors They consist of many tribes and fragments
of tribes, most of them having dwet this side of
the Mississippi The lands which they hold are
guaranteed to them by the Government of the United
States in consideration of the surrender by them of
lands which they once occupied in the States. As
measure of policy nothing would be more advisable
than friendly union with these tribes The frontier
na1 A,0 l.
fence against Indian aggressions if the policy were
found be practicable of raernizing the tribes
as the settlements of white men advanced towards
them. The Albany Argus, referring to this subject,
strongly urges this policy. SIT seems to u.s." says
into our Union, with full community of privileges
try would tend to make them fast friends, not from
fear of army, but from love and respect for their
white brethren of the United States. 1t strikes
that this is the true way to turn the edge OF the wea
pons that sagacious fear may yet DC used against
our countrymen. The North American Indian IN
character is noble, and as all history shows, peculi
ary grateful and true TO his friends He hates with
the same warmth that he loves. The influence of
members elected by Indian voters residing Wash
ington and participating in all the proceedings of
Congress- and thus acting the natural and proper
guardian of Indian interests, would be a constant
source of confidence to the tribes in the Justice and
propriety of any legislation which might affect them
Such political and social ties would be the best and
most enduring guaranty of permanent peace and
friendship; and would be better than standing army
of thousands of soldiers"