The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-10-25
AN INDIAN OPINION Of CITIZENSHIP.

The remnant Of Narraganset Indians living In Rhode
Island has been invested by the Legislature with The
prerogatves Of citizenship, and committee which
appointed for the purpose held conference with them
oh the 9th instant The remarks part of the COM
mittee were TO this efect:-"That there had been a
tendency the public mind toward the conclusion that
all men 10 equal conditions should be equal before the
law without regard race or color that this idea had
eliminated In the enactment by Congress the "Cvil
Rights BILL which now the law Of the land That
Il was matter OF concern In the Legislature and
among the people OF this Stsfe that this tribe, TO
whose ancestors our ancestors were under 20 many
obi igations should stili sin claim 10 allegiance
their tribe rather than TO the STATE and 20 maintain
even . sembancc Of another jurisdiction among us
That the committee were strongly inclined 70 tho opinion
that there ought 20 Be privileged class the State
and that no right or privilege ought to BE- enjoyed by one
man Of mature sgs ana sound mind, who he'd NOE for
ioyed BY every Other man That the Committee, how
ever, had come there 70 obtain information and that
they would gladly listen to the views Of the officers and
members Of the tribe, and that they would hear the
views Of others interested In the investigations or The
matters before them"
The reply made by the Indians TO this expression Of
opinion was Substantially - follows
We have not sent for this committee and We know OF
no particular occasion for lie visiting II this time.
SO far NJ we know We NJ and enjoying good
degree Of prosperity. II 10 said by the committee that
there desire that should be made citizens and be
citizens We have travelled much over The country
have visited many States and have seen many men,
both white and black. We have heard much said about
the rights OF the negro OF negro citizenship and negro
equality; but we have not found the place where this
equality and these rights exist or the negroes who enjoy
them Negro citizenship as We have seen H. means the
voted FOR; no white man votes for . negro; do not
want this negro citizenship, and " 10 have
other citizenship we prefer 20 enjoyed by
else before we accept H. We do not wish 10 Jump on
the foundation where stand until know who're
are TO Jump to- We are not negroes the heirs Of
Nnagr and Of the great chiefs and u the Mar.
raganscts Because, when your ancestors stole tho
negro from Africa and brought bin .uons vs. and made
ship and permitted his blood 10 be minced with ours
are We 10 be called negroes and 10 be told that may
be made negro eitizens We claim that while one drop
OF Indian blood rcmsns In our veins entitled 70
the rights and privileges guaranteed by your ancestors
70 ours BY solemn treaty, which, without breach Of
faith, you cannot violate We did not 90 10 the white
powerful and he Was weak, he claimed protection
and we extended IL We are now weak and our
grasping neighbors, Of grasping race, seeking
the remaining remnant OF our inheritance, aud will
remains 10 US, and until the members 81 our tribe
are beneath tho soil, or are scattered 10 NE winds
OF heaven They propofe no measures for our good but
oment our qusrres trespass upon our inheritance de-
tract from Just merits and desccrrte he graves
OF our kings Our individual estates monty held BY
our women. II they were compelled W pay taxes, "a
would soon pass from their hasds and the homes upon
which they rely FOR sheiter In age, and may BE- In
poverty. will BE- taken frym them. Your Impsrsous
dram cannos touch NJ now; ve may volunteer 70 nght
Of your army shot down without consent And
want 4 now We desired TO vote for the great and sood
Lincoln Had We been srasiaed, We shouid have also
the would have been darkened BY the thas
We had voted for the other We attached 70 the s
dcns OF our fathers We reversncs The memory Of
1nss Our ,,,le deeds came frs% the great Jehovah
We deny right 70 tshs from No that which never
sans fson yea