The Van Buren press., 1859-10-14
The Hon. John Ross'sz Message
to the Cherokee Nation.
TO The National Comn4ittsc and Counsel ia Nasona
Council esarey}fd

ITO The National C,an4ittee and Counsel ia Natanal
Council iteonreasd
Friends c'ed Feflo,v Cstizoss II have
Just taken the oath that marh The. begin
ming of another term Of ofiises,s L.sslsee
then, that should here ex pre- : sny heart
felt acknowledging nts to the iaerokee peo
pie, who, without solicitation or agency on
my part, have given this cviesence that the
confidence they have reposei'in me fer so
long period remains un,lininishe,l II
anything had been wanting toinspirc untir-
ing fidelity to ,heir laws, their institutions,
their best interests. this fact would have
sustained it. For should be alike false 10
the obligations of my station, aud the i'm /:
pulses of our nature, il | could prove I'M
grateful to those who have gwen such as
snrances Of heir trust and their satisfac.
ton. 1t will be my pleasure, therefore and
earnest aim while discharging the duties de-
volving on myselfeo CO.. jF,erate with you in
the maintainance of the common rights oil
our people. In these sentiments you will
concur, for doubtless you have come here to
advance the public veal. Wise and deci
dee legislation is needed to correct present
evils, TO fortify our rights in the future,
and to develop into full lruition the bless
ings which lie within our rrcach our privil-
cgcs are great and manifold, and if we fail
to improve them and to transmit them to
our posterity, the odium must rest upon
us alone. Few people have greater incite-
ments to honorable action than the Chero-
KEGS, ami if they turn deaf ear to their
voice, it can be only for the want of an en-
lightencd, and patriotic pabli: spirit.
We have government of our ou n
choice, well adapted to our condition !; if it
fails 10 secure all the benefits which should
be expected from Government, it will be
through improper action on the part of
those entrusted with the management of its
affairs, and the absence OF iaiccming and
seli-sus,aining public virtue. We have a
country salubrious in climate, rich in soil,
and aboundinS in the resources of material
wealth if weIail under ordinary circum-
stances to develop them, it will be through
the prevalence Of incidence and sloth, and
the absence of industry and enterprise
We have Mt command the means Of extern
ding education and knowledge to the hearth
of every cabin in the land if we fail to
do SO, it will be because we do not Justly
estimate their advantages We have also
the aid for the moral and religious enlight-
enmcnt of the people /; and if those fail to
shed their benign influences upon the hearts
and habits of tle people, it will be because
they are not justly appreciated and embrac-
ed. In fine, if the Cherokee people'd not
become enlightened and prosperous, it will
be because they fail to acU it, AS individ-
uals you can do much by example and pre-
cept to inculcate harmony, sobriety, purity
and patriotism in your respective neighbor-
hoods and district As Legislators vou
can do more to advance the public good.
by rising above personal considerations, en-
acting judicious laws and providing the
necessary means and the proper men to ex-
ecute them. l speak thus pointedIy be-
cause | think you will agree with me that
the times demand it.
Although the past year has been pros
porous one in many respects and should
cause our hearts to overflow with gratitude
to God for the sufficient crops which have
rewarded the industry of the husbandman,
for the general health of the people, for the
increase of our population, for the spread
of the Christian religion, and fer the pub
lie peace we have enjoyed. Yet there have
been occurrences of an individual character
which are to be deplorcd and condemned.
There have len broils and homicides at
tended with :. large share o. individual
pain and distress, and of publlo excitement
and expense. These difficulties, aside from
the moral delinquency attached to them
must be attributed in almost every instance
to the use of intoxicating liquors. which,
under various disguises are introduced into
the country to the reprehensible and un-
lawful practice of carrying bodily weapons,
and to the inadequate punishment attached
to many crimes. AS to the legality and
utility of our liquor laws, see no reason to
entertain. doubt. The fault lies in the
manner, or rather the want of their enforce
ment. i greater responsibility should at
tach to the solicitors and shcrifs for the
proper discharge Of their duties in relation
both to Intoxicating liquors. and the carry
ing of unlawful weapons. Severe and ef-
fcient punishment should be provided for
the persons who disturb the peace of fami-
lies and neighborhoods by riotous and dis
orderly language and conduct, and who as
sault and wound or kill without justifable
provocation. Existing laws. in relation to
these subjects are wholly insufficient to re-
strain the vicious and the brutal.
The penalty of a. fine for assault and
battery will not influence those beyond Its