Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1859-01-15
Fson the New Orleans %picAyuus.
THE FOUR INDIAN STATES.

The progress of civilization in several Of the
Indian tribes Occupying Territories west OF the
STATES will soon bring Up q new question for the
decision Of Congress. What shall be done with
the Indian Governments or States that are now
fully organized {? Are they to be fially admitted
into the Union ? Is a new removal at some future
time 10 be made of the tribes civilized and Chris
tainted to make room for tho Caucasian wave roll.
ing West? Or are foreign governments to grow
up in tho very heart Of the territory Of the United
States9
The Cherokees organized a regular government
MS early as 1889, copying the peculiar features of
the Constitution Of the United States. The forms
Of legislation and the arrangement Of the courts
of justice 80 nearly resemble those of the States.
that, bu for the tawDy skins around him, the ira.
veler into the Cherokees' territory would scarcely
find any indication Of having passed its bounda.
ries.
This tribe has improved in all the arts Of civil.
cation to such a degree that many Of its principal
meh would grace the refined society of any nation.
In respect for the law, regard for popular educa-
ton and public morality, and the ad option OF all
the elegancies and advantages of civilization, the
Cherokees have taken q position which forbids any
forcible interference with their rights to the terri
tory they occupy, to suit The conveniences or obvi.
ate the anomaly which the existence of their stats
now presents.
The Choctaws formed their government, taking
the institutions Of tho United States for their
model, in 1884. Initiating their more progress.
i've white neighbors, last year they revised their
Constitution, and adopted the most inmate forms
of government aud the names of oGicers which
prevail in the States of our Confedel aey.
The Chickasaws lately separated from the
Choc,aws. have also followed the example of the
two tribes mentioned, and thus the third govern
ment. with institutions identical with our own
exist on the borders of the South Western States
occupying territory ceded to them by the Genera
Government.
The Creeks are taking steps 30 create the fourth
independent Organization of a State form of Gov
eminent, and will coon present an example of TIT
influence of civilization in subverting the custom,
and traditions of the race indigenous to the con
/, ltinent.
{ These Indian States are q strange anomaly
known in the law to exist. The white man can
q not paSs NurouBh tueT IeTTltory WITHOUT q permit
I nor can he take with him, when he is allowed t
II entor the Indian domain, certain articles of mer
c~nandise, even though the packages are unbroker
n and are simply designed for the New.Mexicai
e market. This singular state Of things cannot ez
let for many years. without forcing itself upon til
s attention Of Congress.
The tide Of por~ ulation is steadily rolling West
c In less than ten years it will beat against the bar
riers now thrown up against its invasion OF tn
is retreat Of those civilized aborigines. Even no,
the emigration must cross those Territories. Thes
e Indian States cannot exist when the Caucassia
IS race presses upon them as independent govern
e ments. The people, civilized and attached to tn
p soil they have improved, cannot be removed to re
moter wilds, nor. without serious discontents,
il likely the United States can subject them to th
condition Of other territorial organizations, by a
abrOgation Of the constitutions they have estal
lished for themselves. What, then, is to be don
with these Indian States 1t cannot fail to Civ
greater interest to this question that each of thes
Indian States have adopted tn, social institution
o. of the south. The Indians are slaveholders.