Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1858-12-24
The Indian States

The progress in civilization Of several of the
Indian tribes occupying Territories west of the
States will soon bring up new question for til"
decision OF Congress. What shall be done with
the Indian Governments or States that are now
7 fluffy oreanici? Are they to be finally admitted
into the tuipny Is II new removal AT sol,.c flu
ture time t. be made Of the tribes CIV lized aud
christianizeJ 70 make rom Tor the Caucasian
wave rolling wcs,y Or are foreign government
70 grow up IN the very heart %; the territory Of
the United States?
The Cher ices organized regular governmcn,
as early as 1889. copying the peculiar features
Of the Constitution Of tie United States III.
forms ol legislation aud the arrangement Of the
courts Of justice 81 nearly resemble those of the
States that, bat for the tawny skins around him,
the traveller into tho Cherokee territory wonld
scarcely find any indication OF having passed It's
boundaries.
This tribe has improved in all the arts Of evil
cation to such de gree that many ot It's principal
men would grace the refined society Of any ma
tlon. In respect for the law, regard for popu-
lar education, and public morality, and the adop-
tion of all the elegancies and advantages of ciyi
cation, the Cherokees have taken position which
iorbids any orcible interference with their rights
to the territory they occupy, To suit the convent
ences or obvac the anomaly which the feelings
OF their Sta;e now presents.
The Chocaws formed their government, tax
ing the institutions of the United States for their
model, in 1884. Initiating their more progressive
white neighbors, last year they revised their con-
stituion and adopted even the more minute
forms Of government aud names If officers
which prevail in each of the States of our confcd-
cracy.
The Chick asaws, lately separated from the Chloe
Jaws have also followed the example Of the two
tribes mentioned, and thus the third government,
with institutions identical with our own exist Oh
the borders Of the Southwestern States occupy
tnry tnrpt o.tAlt ~ ~ 4
eminent.
The Greeks are taking steps to create the fourth
independent organization Of State form of gov
ernmeht, and will soon present an example OF the
infneneeot civilization, in subyerting the customs
aud traditions OF the race Indigenous to the CONT
nent.
| These Indian States are stranrs anomaly
Iney are not part Of the Union, nor are tbev
| known IN law 10 exist. The white man cann.t
pass through their territory without permit. nor
can he take with him when he is allowed To enter
inc Indian domain, certain articles of mercbau
u'se, even 'housh the packages are nnbroken and
arc simply designed for the New Mexican nart :
ct. This singular state of things canno, exist for
tion of Congress. WV"
The tide of Population is steadily rolling " 90.
In less than ten years it will beat agains, tho bor
rltfs now thrown up against its invasion of the
retreat of these civilized Abogigines. Even nov.
the migration must cross these territories The,
Indian States cannot exist when the Cuuension
race presses upon them, as independent govern.
ments. The people civilized, and attached 10 In,
soil they have improved, cannot be removed to re
moter wilds nor without serious dscontents is il
4 likely the nited states can subject them to tn,
condition Of other territorial organizations. by NJ,
agogation Of the constitutions they have establish
/, cd for themselves. What then is to be done will
these Indian States? 1t cannot fail to give greater
interest to this question that each Of these lndisr
States have adopted the social institutions of the
South The Indians are shareholders.