The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-12-25
| From the Nelo Orleans Picayans..
L L.

The progress of civilization in several of the In
dian tribes occupying Territories west of the States
will soon bring up question for the decision
of Congress. What shall be done with the Indian
Governments or States that now fully organ
lied? Are they to be finally admitted into the
Union2 Is a new removal, at some future time, to
be made of the tribes civilized and Chrstianized to
make room for the Caucasian wave rolling west
Or are foreign Governments to grow up in the very
heart of the territory of the United States?
The Cherokees organized regular Government
as early as 1889, copying the peculiar features of
the Constitution of the United States. The forms
of legislation and the arrangements Of the courts of
Justice nearly resemble those of the States that
but for the tawny skins around him, the traveller
into the Cherokees' territory would scarcely find
any indication of having passed its boundaries.
This tribe has improved in all the arts of civiliza
ton to such degree that many of its principal men
would grace the refined society of any nation In
respect for the law, regard for popular education
and public morality, and the adoption of all the
elegancies and advantages of civilization the Cher
okees have taken a position which forbids any for
chile interference with their rights to the territory
they occupy, to suit the conveniences or obviate
the anomaly which the existence of their Statenow
presents.
The Choctaws formed their government, taking
the institutions of the United States for their model
in 1884. Initiating their more progressive white
neighbours last year they revised their COnstitu
ton and adopted even the most minute forms of
government and the names of officers which pre-
vail in each of the States of our confederacy.
The Chickasaws, lately separated from the Choc
taws, have also followed the example of the two
tribes mentioned, and thus the third government,
with institutions identical with our own, exist on
the borders of the Southwestern States occupying
territory coded to them by the General Govern
ment.
The Greeks are taking steps to create the fourth
Independent organization of State form of govern
ment, and will soon present an example of the in
fuence of civilization, in subverting the customs
and traditions of the race indigenous to the CONT
nent.
These Indian States are strange ANOMALY They
are not part OF the Union, nor are they known in
law TO exist. Inc white man cannot pass through
their territory without permit, nor can he take
with him, when he is allowed to enter the Indian
domain, certain articles of merchandise. even
though the packages are unbroken and are simply
designed for the New Mexican market. This sin
gular state of things cannot exist for many wears
without forcing itself upon the attention of Con
gress.
The tide Of population is steadily rolling West
In less than ten years it will beat against the bar
r'ers now thrown up against its invasion of the
retreat of these civilized aborigines Even now
the emigration must cross these territories Thess
Indian States cannot exist when the Caucasian race
presses upon them as independent governments
The people civilized and attached to the soil tbey
have improved, cannot be removed to remoter
wilds, without serious discontents is it likely
the United States can subject them to the condi-
ton OF other territorial organizations, by an abro-
cation OF the constitutions they have established for
themselves? What then is to be done with these
Indian States? 1t cannot fail to give greater inter-
est to this question that each of these Indian States
have adopted the social institutions of the South,
The Indians are Shareholders
Washington Irving has contributed $500 to the