The true Democrat., 1855-01-03
Indian Territories.


 gress 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 favor in Con- gress, and was relinquished but it has given us pleasure to perceive that the phlanthropc pur- pose has been revived under better auspices and we hope with better prospect of suc- cess.
 It is only within week or two past that we have been able to give any attention to an ela- borate report made in the Senate in July last, accompanied by "a bill to establish and orga- nize the territories of Chez-o kee, Muscogee, and Chah-ta." The subject is one of deep interest to the philanthropist and the statesman, and Mr. JOHNSON, of Arkansas, who made the report, and who no doubt prepared the bill seems to have studied 1t with true American spirit, ac- tuated doubtless by the paramount motives of justice and humanity to a race of natives who, though they have been in many respects treat ed with tenderness and consideration by the government, have been dispossessed of their early homes and made the victims of that un- sparing mania for acquisition and expansion which has been the besetting passion of our people and government under all admnistra- tions, more or less, since the acquisition of Lou s!ana. Had 1t been the good fortune of Mr. JOHNSON to submit his territorial experiment before the introduction of the Nebraska bill into the Senate, 1t mi ght have taken the place of that measure, and the civilized tribes inha- biting the territory of Kansas and south of it. the Greeks Cherohees, Choctaoos and Chickosaaos might have been by this time on the high road to political equality with the other territo- rles 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 pursuits of agriculture; they have schools churches, fields fences roads, f1ocks and herds, and-perhaps higher evidence of advancement than all others -a newspaper. They would, in fact, do cre- dit to the citizenship of any country
 We confess we are pleased with this benevo- lent effort of MT. JOHNSON to rescue rem nant of the aboriginal races from the fate which has already beiallen some, and which must ul- tlmately oyertahe many of them unless DO. llcy of wisdom and benevolence like the pre- sent shall be interpOsed as a barrier to the lust for Indian lands, and lay the foundation of a happier destiny for the aboriginal races
 The bill was introduced at too late period of the session to be fully discussed, and 1t was postponed to and made the special order for the 18th of December next. There are many parts of It perhaps which might be rendered more acceptable, but the main features of 1t are such that we should be sorry to see changed We shall find occasion hereafter to recur to this in- teresting subject. In the mean time we cannot better show its importance than i'll the closing remarks of the report itself
 EXTRACT FROM THE REPORT.
 It is evident that the bill proposes radical change in our policy towards these particular i hos r. h ,,lo,,, Il. place. We have soemnly stipulated with the Choctaws and Chickasaws that they shall have the jurisdiction and government of all persons and property within their limits, so that no State or territory shall ever have the right to pass laws for their governments; that no part of the land granted them shall ever be embraced in any territory or State; and that they shall be forever secure against all laws except those 1 passed by their own national councils not n- consistent with the constitution, treaties, and laws of the United States, and except such as have been enacted by Congress to the extent that they are required under the constitution to exercise legislation over Indian affairs. We have made, in substance, the same stipulations with the Cherokees and Creeks. Their lands cannot be included within the limits of alv State or territory, or their right to be governed | by their own laws taken from them. These are the provisions of solemn treaties-a part of the supreme law of the land. They are not to be violated without national disgrace and dis honor
 < In addition to these stipulations it is we'll known that these different nations have at pre- sent, and will continue to have so long as they remain in their present condition, insuperable objections to uniting with each other in any form of government The plan of an alliance or confederation was suggested in 1881 by the secretary of war; but 1t has never found any favor with the lndians nor will 1t ever unless under the operation of this bill It is utterly lmpractlcable at present to establish any single territorial government to include them all; and to include them in territory to be inhabited by white men would be an open and shameless violation of the most sacred and solemn treaty stipulations.
 "ln the mean time it is written that the white race must advance. They have trespassed and settled on Indian lands heretofore, in defiance of acts of Congress and proclamations, at the risk of war and of their lives; and they will do so again. This bill offers the only means at all plausible of opening this valuable coun- try to our people, and at the same time of pre- serving unstained the national faith and honor and saving from ultimate destruction these brave and unfortunate tribes
 '' If it should fail in these great objects, we at least shall have done our duty, and the sin of broken treaties and violated national faith will not rest upon our heads. These Indians are in our hands. God has placed them iu our care. It Is us we who shall be called on to account for them. The system which the bill proposes Will entail some expense upon the Treasury. But we may say to that as was said by Gen. Knox, that system of coercion and oppression would probably amount in the end, to a far larger sum of money; and it is certain that the blood and injustice which would stain the character of the nation would be beyond all pecuniary calculation.
 The committee entertain sanguine belief that the ultimate results of the bill will be all that the friends of the Indians desire, and all that the dictates of humanity, the interest of our own people, and the principles of justice, good faith, and honor demand; and they there lore again recommend it's passage. ."-Nat'onat LnteHigencer.
 l GFCol Benton's last arrival in St. Louis was