Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-02-24
The Choctaw Nation and the Crisis.

Thesprincipal Chief of the Choctaw Nation has
recently convened the local Legislature in council,
for the purpose of consulting as to the action to be
taken in view of the secession of the Southern
States The message Of the Chief is able,
strongly prepared document, in which he reviews
with great cleaness and force the grievances OF the
South and the history Of the slavery agitation IN
the Northern States and declares the position OF the
Choctaw Nation to be that of sovereign and indie
pendent State, and not that of Territory OF the
United States. with the right to make treaties and
do all ether acts and things which sovereign State
NAV do. He declares that all the sympathies
andlfeelings Of the Choctaws are with the South,
having been born and nurtured or its SOIL and haS-
ing institutions in with the Southern States
He deprecates the division of the Union, and holds
It's example up as a warning to his eountrynen
never 10 let contention and dscord enter into their
internal and domestic policy. He recommends that
Commissioners be sent to Washington City to look
after the monied interest OF the nation, and to take
counsel and advice from the President of the United
States. He also recommends that general council
of the Chickasaws, Cherokees, Greeks, Seminoles.
and ChoctaWs be held at some central point for the
purpose of adopting some line of policy neces-
sary to their security"
The General Council of the Choctaw Nation re-
sponded to the sentiments of their Chief by passing
the following resolutions. Il is easy to see from
these resolutions on which side the Choctaws will
range themselves:
RESOLUTIONS,
EDressng the feelings and sentiments of the Gene.
eral Council Of the Choctaw Nation in reference
20 the political disagreement existing between the
Northern and Southern States of the American
Dnion
sso1 assembled. That we view with deep regret and
ost so{citude the present unhappy political disa-
Soeynent between the Northern aHd Southern States
81 tbe American Union, tending to permanent dis
solunon of TIE Government and the disturbance of
Covernment BY treaty stipuations and intarna-
,iai IaSvs and poF<ending much injury TO the
Choctaw Government and people
BesoIrei further, That we must express the err
rost desire and ready hope entertained by the en-
- cboctaw people that any and ali political dis.
,.,cer aqitating and dividing tAe people Of the
s-'- S,otes NAV be ho7Orably and speedily ad
;nstga and the example and blessing and fostering
ca,e If their General Government, and the many
and friendly ties existing win the1r people eonIIn
ne for tee enlightenment IN moral, socal and good
government and prosperity IN 'he in-'eIlAi concerns
of life to our whole population
J7esolpe9 further That in the event permanent
sissoIution of the American Union takes place our
with Tue NCuefdG lhEeb
.oase and we shall be left 10 follow the natural
ss5eetions. education, Institutions aSd interest OF
oTr DeonIe. which indissolubly bind US IN every
nav 10 The destiny of neighbors, and brethren
of the Southern States upon whom we are conn
Sent we can rely FOR the preservation of our rights,
- life liberty. and property, and the continuance
# ,ranv acts of friendship, general counsel, and
fraternal support
FsSalrel further That we desire to assure our i'm
,ueIiate neighbors. the people Of Arkansas and
svss of1our determination 30 observe the Rmicable
.sIation in every wsy long existing between Us,
and the firm reliance We have that any disturbance
SUI otber States the rights and feelings sacred
=, Va Ill remain respected BIZ them; and be pro-
49,. - from, tte- encrOachment of others.
po.ois5 further That has EXcellency the Principal
90 he requested to enclose with an appropriate
lille from himself copy of these reso-
Ss 70 the Governors of the Southern States,
% -. ,.eouest that they be lad before the State
Con Con, Of each State as many IS have assem-
oI a. the date of their reception; and uiaf IN such
Sove not they be published IN the newspapers Of
the State. .hosa resolutions take Of
t.ot SD5 he in force from s9d after their passage
Approved, Feb. eth, 1861.