Arkansas true Democrat., 1859-01-19
From the Fort smith Times. Indian GOvernments---Duty of the Gene. ral GOvernment,

When we commenced the series of articles on the subject of bringing the Indians on this irontler into the Union, either as territories or states, we did not anticipate much encourage ment from the Indians themselves: but. on the other hand, expected considerable opposition from portion of the Indians at least. Tn. stead, however, of meeting with opposition. we are encouraged by nearly all of the tribes from whom we hear, and the response from most all ot the intelligent Indians, is, to % on They are expecting to be brought into the Union in some way before many years; and they say that they are aware of their situation. and AS it must take place m short time they do not de- sire delay but to meet the matter at once. The most intelligent look upon d closer connexon with me United States, in the form of states. as ther own salvation, politically, and the sooner that conneXon is formed the better it Will be tor the future prosperity, and in fact, the actual preservation of the Indians. and al- though the Indians may, eventually, be swal- lowed up by lntermarriage with the whites vet. as John Ross expressed 1t many years ago "not one drop of Indian boOl will be lost" A large number of the Choctaws received the bill ot Mir. Johnson, when it was published, with pleasure, and were highly pleased and delighted with its provisions, and 1t awakened in them a desire to change their relationship with the United States, which would place them upon an equality with the whites The subject was discussed In their legislature, and one of their leading men, becoming warm in debate, ex- clalmed, when accused of wishing to become white man, "ves,'' said he, "I am anxious to become white man." The Choctaws still be- lIeve that MT. JOhnson's bill suited the Indi- ans better than any other proposition that has ever been offered to the Indians The provis- ions of that bill were liberal and the Indians could interpose but few objections to it, as it opened up new and liberal policy to them, that never before had been held out to them. In It they were recognized ai citizens of the United States, with all the rights and immuni. ties thereof. It is great pity that this bill has been laid aside and no further action taken upon 1t.
 The Indians, we speak of those settled on this frontier, are becoming more enlightened every year, adopting, in every respect. the manners and customs of the whites. They have abandoned the chase and til the soil for a living. They dress like the whites. and most of them have comfortable dwellings. either frame or log, and raise an abundance of cattle. hogs and horses. The only difference that marks the Indian, more particularly. is, that thelr lands are held in common, each one hold. Ing what he has in possession, with no right except that of possession. The value of lands everywhere is apparent to them, and many of them are now anxious to have their lands run oil, and parcelled out to each individual be- longing to the tribe. It is the only way that they Can obtain their individual rights. Let things progress as they have done for years- territories formed-whte men alone placed in all the offices, and the Indian lands taken into the territories, as was the case when most of the territories were originally formed, and the Indian title will not be respected in the least.
 In kansas and Nebraska the Indian lands were embraced in the territories. and the Indi ans are left to the mercy of the whites who in- habit them, without any of their rights being provided for by the law which organized the territories. The Indians here should not be thus treated. and we hope that Congress will make provision to protect them and their lands, and So organize the territories as to secure the Indians h the enjoyment of their rights, fully and equal in every respect to the whites Hu- manlty, as we said betore, demands it., and 1t Is the duty of the general government as guar dian oi the Indians, to take such steps as will raise them civily md politically in the scale of civilization. But if they remain in their pres ent condition many more years, or until the white population becomes crowded around them, the desire for their lands will become so great that it will be impossible to keep the whites of, and they will find themselves, in the exact position they were few years ago, when residing east of the Mississippi. The present tendency of things is that way, and the mas terly inactivity of our government, on Indian affairs, will find itself called upon to do some- thing to save the Indians when it is too late. Our object in writing these articles, is to call the attention of the American public to the present condition of these Indians, so as to do them jus tice, and save them from being overwhelmed by the rushing tide of whites that is pressing west ward with mighty current. The Indians are now in the best possible condition to bring into | the Union, and there certainly can be no objec- ton to receiving them and making citizens of them. It would be wrong to rob them of their lands and political rights, by forcing govern ment over them and giving them no part or lot in the matter.
 We diverted, in former article to the fact of three of the tribes having constitutional go- vernments, in full operation. We also gave as