Arkansas true Democrat., 1861-07-04
John Ross and the Cherokee Nation.

We are credibly informed that among the Cherokees there exists very serious division of sentiment upon the southern question. The seeds of abolitionism sown by Evan J ones and tho northern board ot black republican disciples-and watered with such care by John Ross-the chief of loped.
 In recent proclama ton of this unprin- cipled chief, the Cherokees are noined to remain strictly neutral; they are told that the war now being waged, ito wipe out the South," is war between the States, with which the Indians have no concern; they are further reminded that solemn trea- ties bind them to the United States, and that such treaties must be observed and re- spected. We have not seen the proclama- ton, but learn from friend that such IS its purport. Mr. Ross knops that he is de- luding his people-the present war IS a war of extermination against the institu. ton of slavery, and directly affects the h. dian Nations on our frontier, that recognize and protect that institutions; and they are consequently as deeply concerned in the is- sue as those States that have cut the gor- dian knot of the Union. The solemn trea ties appealed to, are, as Mr. Ross well knows, already swept away, and submerg- ed in this great revolution; they are already among the things that were-the relations of the Indians towards the United States must of necessity change, when that go- vernment is rent asunder, and passes out of existence.
 Pray what are those "solemn treaties" which are pointed to with such an air of fidelity and honor? They guarantee that the lands now occupied by the Cherokees shall be secured to them, including the 800 900 acres, situated in the State of Kan sas, now forming one of her countless They guarantee the undsturbed enjoyment | of the territory assigned them, and an out let west. They have provided for the in- vestment of trust funds. the interest of which, some S30,000, has annually been paid to the Cherokees, but which investment is almost wholly in the South; all these so- lemn treaties, in the very nature of the case, must give place to the new order of things If the United States could not ob serve it's solemn treaties when acting as one complete, undivided and harmonious whole, how can the most simple minded expect it wW observe them, or be able to fulfill their provisions when torn by inter- necine war, which must end in the estab lishment of two rival governments, each of which will claim, either the guardianship or the oacnerSAtp of the rich country occupi ed by the Indians?
 Mr. Ross is black republican, and would if he could, sell his people to the northern vandals-he is an advocate of neutrality! We are not surprised-it Is his favorite doctrine. When, in days gone by, he re- 1 teled in murder and assassination, and in- vaded the soil of our State with his hired minions to murder brave and good man, the U. $. government attempted to inter- fcre to punish the aSsassins, and stay the effusion of innocent blood, but Mr. Ross counseled neutrality Men as earnestly as now. When he stole $5Sl ,000 in 1945, and luxurated in sundry other swndles of smaller amount, the U. s. government com menced an investigation of the stupendous fraud-but Mir. Ross, with patriotic fer vor, scarcely less intense than he exhibits now, counseled neutrality.
 Away with the odious and traitorous ! wordl I'here con be no neutrdis in Mis mar. A large portion of the Cherokees are heart and hand with us in this struggle. Another faction headed by Ross and Jones are un- der the hypocritical cloak of neutrality, our enemes-they will breast the storm or 90 down Jetore 4.