The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1859-08-13
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n6T The next most interesting and i'm
Portant sabject of discussion connected with
the territorial question, will be the admis-
sion of the Cherokee and Chocktaw Terrific
~ as State of the Union. The matter is
likely to be pressed upon the attention of
the next Congress. The people of Arkansas
and Texas are agitating the subject, and are
growing excited and FESTIVE under the check
imposed upon the extension of the white
settlements beyond them. Settlements and
towns have been pushed forward up to the
borders Of the Indian natisn, and city OF
high commercial Importance has arisen up
on the very boundary line Of the interdicted
Territory. Beyond it lies vast region Of
beautiful, fertile, and salubrious country
large enough for an umpire State, inviting
by its attractive features and bountiful re-
sources, the onward march of civilized arts,
commerce, and industry.
But the law has closed doors to all but
about 10000 semi-civilizei Cherokees,
Greeks, Choctaw, Chicasaws, and Seminoles.
A white man cannot enter it without the ex-
press permission ofthe Government agents. 1t
iSa formidable barrier to Arkansas and upper
Louisiana, in their intercourse with the
territory of New Mexico and the vast regions
beyond. The people of the States who
border upon it say it cannot long be permit
ted TO remain rs it is; if Congress will not
do something to change its present condition,
the overwhelming tide of emigration will
disregard the interdict, and invade the
country. They insist that "the manifest
destiny of the United States demands that a
different and more human and liberal policy
he inaugurated towards the Indians residing
in this territory, by placing them in po-
sition to enjoy all the rights and privileges
az citizens of the several States"
The aIndian Nation embraces the only
Territory in the Union out of which new
slave State can now be formed. By admit
ting the civilized Indians to the rights of
citizens, it can, in short time, be brought
into the Union as slave State, under Doug
las doctrines of popular sovereignty. The
Fort Smith (Arkansas) Times, in discussing
the subject, says: t-
The Cherokees, Creeks, Choctsws, and
Chickasaws have nearly become civilized,
and have actually adopted the habits, GUS
toms, and costumes of the whites, and have
entirely quilted the chase, and now depend
upon agriculture for living. The Chero-
KEGS, Choctaws, and Chickasaws have regu-
larly organized governments, founded by
adopting constitutions, similar, in every
respect, to our State constitutions, and had
they sufficient population, in each of these
tribes, there could be found no objection to
receiving them into the Union as States,
in the same manner that Texas was re-
ceived.
Their constitutions are all republican in
form, and every department. of their several
governments, is organized like our State
governments, with executive, Legislative,
and judiciary departments. Many of the
citizens of these three last named nations
are looking forward to the time when they
shall be admitted in some manner, as men,
bers of the great American confederacy.-
Among the Cherokees and Choctaws there
are great number who favor more init
mate and permanent connection with the
United States, and look forward to that
event as the only salvation, politically, OF
their nations. A majority of the Choctaws
are in favor of becoming connected with the
United States at very early day. A large
number of the Cherokees are favorable to
such course, and would rejoice at a change
in their political condition, but, as the idea
of a connection with the United States
either as territory or a State, is unpopu.
lar with large number of their tribe, they
are afraid to ayow their real sentiment
and many of this tribe of Indians are op.
posed to the change, because they are afraid
Of losing their identity rs people.
The Indian country being one of the fines
in the world, Astounding in good rich lands
well watered, the whites already begin to
look across the line with longing eyes, and
if Congress does not make some arrange.
ment TO portion out the country belonging
10 these Indians, to the Individual members
of each tribe, and give them titles to them
in fee simple, there viii be rush into the
Indian country at no distant day, by the
whites, that the whole force Of the United
States cannot check. In saying this, We
know what we say, for we have evidence in
cur possession, that whites are already med.
itating a settlement on the Indian lands, and
it is well known here that the lands belong.
ing to the Cherokees known as the "Neutra
land, is now densely settled by the whites
besides there are white people settled on the
Verdigris river, in the Cherokee country
lower down than the neutral land.
Does this not look like the whites are tax
ing possession of the country? So it will be
when the tide of emigration sets in toward
the Indian country. We have seen the lik
with our own eyes, and we speak from
knowledge Of practical experience.
The only hope for the preservation of tn
Indians, as people, and their rights as in
diyiduals, is to incorporate them, as par
and parcel of the United States, either o.
the plan proposed by Mr.. johnson, in hi
bill, or in some other form. 1t is impossi
BILE for Congress to delay this matter niue
longer.
na- The great loss of property at til
great fire in Cincinnati on Thursday morn
ing last was owing to scarcity of water
The fremen at one time had the flames CON