The Van Buren press., 1861-04-03

a communication appeared in a late
number of the "35th Parallel" over the
signature Of Mr.. Nathaniel Folsom, of the
Choctaw Nation. touching Indian Affairs
AS the Cherokees, Greeks, Chickasaws and
Seminoles have interests at stake in the is
sue of pending difficulties in the United
States. equal to. and inseparsble from those
of the Choctaws, l hope to be excused for
making that communication the basis of a
few remarks. In so doing, assure Mr..
Folsom, that my purpose is not controversy
but respectful exchange of views upon the
grave subject he presents for our considera-
ton. Then, As to the status of the nations
named, as to slavery. there is no question
there can be none. That is fixed by their
own laws and customs and their locality
Nor can there be any as to their course in
case of the overthrow Of the General Gov
srnment, anu the separation of the slave
from the free States. The proper question
for us to decide, is not what we shall do in
contingencies which may, or may not hap
pen /; but what shall we do noWe That is
the question. Mr.. Folsom says the disrup-
tion of the Government and the dissolution
of the Union, would leave us free to make q
selection most congenial to our habits, in
clination and affection, and believes that the
Choctaws will forthwith apply to be per-
mitted to unite with the Southern Govern
ment. The asserted disruption of the Gov
ernment of the United States is disputable,
while the course indicated to the Choctaws
is premature and dangerous. The Govern
ment exists in law and fact. If the seces-
sion of the Southern States be lawful. that
does not destroy the Government. 1t af-
fects the States seceeded, only, and not the
Indians. 1t does not abrogatc q single
treaty between the United States and the
Indians. 1t is q wcll-established principle
of law that neither changes nor revolutions
in q government annuls its contracts with
other parties. be they weak or strong. The
party retaining or acquiring the sovereign.
power. holds or assumes all prior obliga-
tions. And it is . most fortunate thing for
Us that such Is the case, else Mr.. Folsom's 8
seeming exultation over his fancied freedom
to make congenial selection " might be
. cause of serious Misrepresentation.
If the so-called disruption of the Gov
ernment absolves Mr.. Folsom and the Choc-
taws from their relations to the United
States, it must necessarily absolve the Gov
ernment from her relations to Mr. Folsom,
also, and the Choctaws. If they owe the
Government nothing. the Government owes
theE nothing. A position which / Meth.
er claim nor wish for my countrymen We
arc not released from ths duties we owe the
Government. nor, thank heaven is she re-
leased from her duties towards as. We are
not yet cast adrift upon the food of revolu-
ton. We are not yet left alone to protect
ourselves from the invader who would de-
spoil US of our rights whether he come from
the North or the South. We placed our
selves under the protection of the United
States. when they were only thirtsen in
number. and now that they have more thar
doubled, our mutual relations still exist,
and it is through them:that we have homes
and the laws and institutions of civilized
life. The sosereignty of the Union is the
sheet anchor of all our rights and hopes,
and 80 let it remain. " A bird in the hand
is worth tWo IN the bush.'' Cast not sway
the pearl possessed for diamonds n the cav
ems of the earth. that may never come to
light. The Indians having nothing to do
with the political agifations rife throughout
the land. They are suffering no new evils
from the Governments, nor from either sec
tion. Then let them keep quiet and hold
fast to that which they have. Weakness
may defend itself. but should not become
the assailant. Do not provoke the enlnity
of either section, cling to your country and
if attacked or molestea by adventurers, de-.
fend yourselves, and demand the protection.
solemnly promised to any Indian Tribe on
this frontier and due to them without re-
gard to the persons, who, foF tho time be-
ing, WELD the powers Of Government. Not
halt of the slayeholding States have secod-
ed and q majority VI the southern people
ere said to oppose doing 50: And will the
4niians upwisely cndanges the interests o: