Weekly national intelligencer., 1854-11-11
INDIAN TERRITORIES.

or step towards sel1-g0vernment, with view 10
their further progress in political knowledge and
civilization and ultimate incorporation into the
American Union. The scheme was probably then
premature at any rate it did not find sufficient fa
vor in Congress, and was relinquished; but it has
given us pleasure to perceive that the philanthropic
purpose has been revived under better auspices and
we hope with better prospect Of success.
1t is only within week or two past that we have
been able to give any attention to an elaborate
port made in the Senate in July last, accompanied
by ga bill to establish and organize the Territories
of CAel-o-kee, Muscogee, and Chah-ta" The subject
is of deep interest to the philanthropst and the
statesman, and Mr.. JOHNSON, Of Arkansas, who
made the report, and who no doubt prepared the
bill, seems to have studied it with true American
spirit actuated doubtless by the paramount motives
Of justice and humanity to race Of natives who,
though they have been in many respects treated with
tenderness and consideration by the Government have
been dspossessed Of their early homes and made the
victims of that unsparing mania for acquisition
and expansion which has been the besetting pas
sion Of our People and Government under all Ad-
mnistrations, less, since the acquisition Of
Louisiana. Had it been the good fortune of DIR.
JOHNSON to submit his territorial experiment be-
fore the introduction of the Nebraska bill into the
Senate it might have taken the place of that mea-
sure Of evil omen, and the civilized tribes inhabting
the Territory Of Kansas and south of 1.-THE Ceeks
Cherolees, CboctGacs and Chickasaacs-might have
been by this time on the high road to political
equality with the other Territories of the Union.
These tribes possess now quasi Government, under
laws enacted and officers chosen by themselves.
They have long abandoned the chase for the pur-
suits Of agriculture; they have schools, churches,
fields, fences, roads, focks and herds, and-per-
haps higher evidence Of advancement than all
others-a neaospaper. They would, in fact, do Gre
dit to the citizenship Of any country.
We confess we are pleased with this benevolent
effort Of Mr. JOHNSON to rescue a remnant of the
aboriginal races from the fate which has already
befallen some, and which must ultimately overtake
many Of them, unless policy Of wisdom and
benevolence like the present shall be interposed as
barrier to the lust for Indian lands, and lay the
foundation of happier destiny for the aboriginal
races.
The bill was introduced at too late period of
poned to and made the special order for the 18th of
December next. There are many parts of it per-
haps which might be rendered more acceptable, but
the main features of it are such that we should be
sorry to see changed. We shall find occasion here
after to to this interesting subject. In the
mean time we cannot better show Its Importance
than in the closing remarks of the Report itself.
EXTRACT FROM THE REPORT.
It is evident that the bill proposes radical change
in policy towards these particular tribes is time
such change should take place. We have soemnly sti
puated with the Choctaws and Chickasaws that they
shall have the jurisdiction and government Of oil persons
and property within their limits, that State Ter
rtory shall have the right pass laws for their GO
vernment that part of the land granted them shall
ever be embraced in any Territory State and that
they shall be forever against all laws except those
passed by their national councils not inconsistent
with the Constitution, treaties and laws of the United
States and except such have been enacted by Con-
gress to the extent that they required under the Con-
sitution exercise legislation Indian affairs We
have made in substance, the stpuations with the
Cherokees and Creeks Their lands cannot be included
within the limits Of any State Territory their right
to governed by their laws taken from them These
the provisions Of solemn treatiesa part Of the
out national disgrace and dishonor.
In addition to these stpuations it is well known that
these different nations have at present. and will continue
to have long they remain in their present condition.
nsuperabe objections to uniting with each other in any
form of government The plan Of alliance confe
deraon suggested in 1881 by the Secretary Of War;
but it has found any favor with the Indians,
will it ever unless under the operation Of this BILL 1t is
utterly mpractcable at present to establish any single
Territorial Government to include them all and to in
clude them in Territory be inhabited by white
would be open and shameless violation Of the
cred and solemn treaty stipulations
In the mean time it is written that the white
must advance. They have trespassed and settled In
dian lands heretofore in defiance Of acts Of Congress and
procanaons at the risk Of war and Of their ves and
they will do again This bill offers the only means at
all plausible opening this valuable country to our peo
pe and the time Of preserving unstaned the ma
tisnal faith and honor and saving from ultimate destruc
tion these brave and unfortunate tribes.
fit should fail in these great objects; we at least
shall have done duty and the sin Of broken treaties
and violated national faith will not rest upon heads
These Indians in hands God has placed them in
our care 1t is we who shall be called to account
for them THE system which the bill proposes will entail
some expenA upon the Treasury. But we may say to
that as was san Gen. Knox, that system Of coercion
and oppression wsld probably amount in the end to
far larger Of and it is certain that the blood
and injustice which void stain the character Of the nation
would be beyond all pec>eiary calculation.
"The committee entertAu sancn;ne hel;ef th.t ,b
ultimate results Of the bill wv be All that tho f.nds ~
the Indians DESIRE and all thatbe dictate. of humanity
Ar o;rkor roofo ~ fn,rov ovwnp ~.