The Van Buren press., 1861-08-28
Mass Council of cherokees.
rR.Dor,es for the Van Buren Press.l

| GRfpoYted for the Van Bnren Press.l
4 A general meeting Of the Cherokee peo-
) pie, was held at Tahlequah, on Wednesday
the 2lst of August, 1861. II was called
by the Executive of the Cherokee Nation.
for the purpose of giving the Cherokees an
opportunity to express their views in rela-
ton to subjects cf deep interest to themselves
as individuals and as Nation. The num-
Der of persons in attendance. (almost ex-
clusively Cherokees) was about four thou
sand, whose department was characterized
by good order and propriety. and the ex
preston of whose opinions and feelings was
frank and cordial, and of marked unanimi-
I ty. At the appointed hour. the people met
square. where JoHS Ross, Principal Chief,
delivered :he following address, which was
interpreted by MIR. Alex. Foreman:
i Friends and Feuor Caisens:
It affords me great pleasure to see many
of You on the present occasion The invitation to
you 10 meet here, went from the Executive Depart
ment in es,npliance with the wishes of many cltl-
zens. who desired to make stronger the cords that
bind Us together and to advance the common vel
fare. The circumstances under which You have
assembled. full of import You have precious
rights at stake and your posterty, it may be, will
be affected by the sentiments you may express.
You need not be told that evil times have befalen
. the Great Government with which we have been
I connected. Rent by dis,eations. its component
parts stand in hostile array. They have marshal
led powerful armies who have already engaged in
deadly conflicts The United States claim to
tend for the integrity of their Government-the
Confederate States for their independence and
Government OF their own. Gigantic preparations
are made by both sides to carry on the war. The
calamites the length. and the result Of that war,
cannot be foretold. The Cherokees will be con
cerned in its issue, which in all probability, it now
appears will be the establishment of the new Gov
.rnment. The attention of your authorities
ly directed to the subject from their position, and
by pondence with officers of the Confederate
States and the delicate and responsible duty de-
volving upon them Of deciding to extent the
course to be pursued by the Cherokee Nation, IN
the conflict between the whites, to whom she was
equally bound in peace and friendship, by existing
treaties. Our political relations had long been es-
! tablisheI with the United States Government and
which embraced the seeding as well as the adhere
ing States. Those relations still exist The Unit
et States have not asked us to engage in the war,
and we could not do without coming into eollis-
ion with our friends and neighbors with whom
are identified by location and similar institutions.
Nor, on the other hand had any cause to take
arms against the United States and prematurcly
and wantonly stake lives and all our rights up
or the hazards of the conflict. | felt it TO be my
duty, therefore then to advise the Cherokee people
Ia remain neutral and issued proclamation to that
effect j am sratihed to know that this course has
met the appreciation of the great of the Chero
kee people and been respected by the officers of
both Governments, in n manner that commands our
highest gratitude Our soil has not been invaded,
peace has not been rnolestei. rights in
terfered with by either Government. On the
trary. the people have remained at home. cultivated
their farms in security and reaping fruitful re-
turns for their labors. But for false fabrcations.
hnrr haN-a
=. without any excitement al home misrepresenta
tions and consequent misapprehensions abroad
10 the real sentiments and purposes of the Chero-
kee people. Alarming reports however, have been
pertineiousiy circulated at home and unjust inn
putations among the people of the States. The
object seems to have been TO create strife and
fiict instead of harmony and good will among the
people themselves, and to engender prejudice and
distrust instead of kindness and confidence to
wards them by the officers and citizens Of the Con
| feie,-ate States
7 My Fellow Citizens, You have now opportu-
nifty to express your views in an authoritative man
/ ner upon the policy which has been pursued by
Your officers IN the present uncture of affairs and
Uos questions affecting the harmony Of the PEOPLE
aud upon the domestic Institutions of the country
The people are here say whether YOU are arlayed
IN glasses one against the uher-fuil blood against
the white and mixed blood citizens. Say whether
you are faithful to the constitution and laws of
Your country ? whether you abide 10y all the
rights they guarantee. particularly including that
purpose Ia abolish interfere with it in the Cher
okee Nation.
/ THE position which have assumed in regard to
all the important questions which affect the Chero
kee people has been too often proclaimed to be mis-
understood, however much it may be misrepresent-
ed The great object with Ine has been to have
the Cherokee people harmonious and united in the
full and free exercise and enjoyment of all their
rights OF person and property. Union is strength
| Dsseniion Is weakness, misery, ruin. In time Of
peace, enjoy peace together in time of war, if war
must come, fight together As Brothers, live !;
brothers, die. While ready and willing TO defend
our fresides from the robber and murderer, let
not make wantonly against the authority of
the United Confederate States. avoid conflict
with either. and remain strictly soil
I We have homes, endearcd to by every considera
i ton, laws adapted to condition, of our own
choice, and rights and privileges of the highest
character. Here they must be enjoyed or no where
else. When your nationality ceases here, it will
! live no where else. When these homes are lost
you viii find Others like them. Then, my
colntrymen as You regard your rights
you regard the welfare of ycur posterity be prld
| ent how you act The permanent disruption of the
/ United States is now probable The State
border aud the Indian Nations about us. have
cred their connection from the United States, and
joined the Confederate States Our general inter
ests inseperable from theirs and it is not desr
| able that should stand alone The preservation
of our rights and of existence, above every
other consideration. And in view of all the cir
eumstances of situation. do say to you frank
", that in my opinion the time has when
| you should signify your consent for the Authori
ties OF the Nation to adopt preliminary steps for
an alliance with the Confederate States upon terms
| honorable and advantageous to the Cherokee Ma
| ton
/ Executive Department. JOHN ROSS
! Tahlequah, Aug. 81. .'6lJ
| After the delivery of the address Of the
Principal Chief, and n few pertinent and