Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1854-12-29
The ChoctaNys and Slavery.

1t will be recollected, that at a meeting held at
Hartford, Conn, some time since, the American
Board of Missions passed resolution requiring the
Choctaw Legislature to repeal law which thew had
passed, prohibiting the Missionaries OF the Board from
giving instruction to the slaves of the Choctaws in
the mission or Sunday Schools To this law the
Prudential Committee headed by Rev. MIR. Treat,
objected and threatened to withdraw their patronage
from the Choctaw schools. The Board, by their re-
cent session at Hartford approved the decision of he
Prudential Committee, and this restriction was trans
mited to the Council of the Nation.
The Fort Smith Herald says, that Col. Harkins the
Chief of the Nation, being notified of the action
taken by the Board of Missions, sent conmunica-
ton to the Choctaw Council, in which he advises
against the repeal of the law which has given so
much offence to the Board it would give rise to a
party spirit (which will not be put down until every
Abolitionls is made to leave the Nation" The Chief
adds: 'Our people need not fear that the schools
will cease account OF the threatened withdrawal
of the present teachers, by the American Board for
it was money that brought them hther and sure.
ly money can again bring good if not better
teachers'
Upon another matter their Chief has taken an
equally important STEP He entirely approves the bill
introduced into the Senate of the United States pro-
vidng for the establishment of three Territorial Gov
ernments out of the Indian territory nhabted BY the
Choctaws. Cherokees, and other Indian tribes with
the provision of their ultimate admission into the
Union States The Cheokees, says the St. Louis
Republican, under the direction of John Ross, have
manifested strong opposition but Col Harkins and
the Choctaws take ore rational view of 1t and arr
willing to accept the terms of the bill.
The Chief in his communication to the Genera
Council strongly urges immediate action in the pre-
misses, and among other things says
"We may depend upon it as being fixed fact, tina
our Indian days of peace forever departed from
us, and that opposition from us can stay the on
ward march of the people OF the United States in the
career to greatness and the full occupancy of tn
American Continent We have no power or influence
toSbear upon any movement of the Government, 70
we are looked upon as chldren-as wards under he
care and protection, and that she has the power t.
do as she pleases with us. There is nothing tn
Choctaws can do to change the course of things
Their only chance to live, and exist as people, will
be to educate and civize fast as possible the ri
sing generation. And surely now is the time TO
us to stand together unitedly. We should conside
we'll our situation and the course we are about +
take at the time, for one misstep may prove disas
trous and fatal 10 our people. | recommend that III
Council take this matter into consideration, and an
points committee to report, and point out the adyan
lages and disadvantages of the bill to the Choctaws
The COMMITTEE it is stated, had made report ia
vorabe to the bill, but the Council had no final &C
ton On the subject. All the enlightened Chooktaw
were Tor 1.-THE missionaries are opposed TO it, an
will probably influence all the church members a
galnst the bill The Chickasaws are represented
be adverse to the bill. The Fort Smith Herald saws
"From the present aspect of affairs in the Chocta,
nation, we may safely conclude, that they will 500
become one of US" and hopes, at some future day,
see Col. HARK1Ns ga member of Congress from tn
State of Chata"