New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-11-07
THE CHEROKEE NATION.
u,rorp,1 op THE non. WIN. p. ROSS.

The following is the Inaugural address OF the Hon.
VIM p Ross lately elected Chief Of the Cherokee Naon
To The Members Of the National Council II
Friends AND FmLow- CrrnESs: Without solicitation, You
SSss o S dS RS 70 Chef Of the Cherokee Nation
nccept the trust hanknes for the confidence
Under the most favorable circumstances the position is beset
with difficulties II now than generally the case
for the condition Of the country peculiar The Che upon
whom the Cherokee people leaned long for support has
fallen protrncied war has desoated the hnd ana material
pressed upon by recent treaty The tribute paid 70 the
memory Of the ste PPGRd S1s e submitted al he begin
ming the session and the action you propose to take IN refer
S mon ne services ne rendered to the Cherokee people His
will always be associated with that o. our nauon ana
ability and 6mness with which he guided her affairs There
have been but few rulers whose sway dd not extend over
and resources Fewer SIN who snd conflicts
marked history held unse or az s ,ne
And that he dead et US people cherish his virtues
enT reliance upon he innate power OF right We shall need
them rebuilding wasted homes repairing the fearful losses
peace in reunitine them in the maternal concord and
In preparing them for the industry anu
that will enable them 20 improve their condition. maintain t
valuable rights and keep pace with the progress OF impending
The havoc Of war is over Let passions and awlessness
end Let the Cherokee people that all their interests and
hopes lie in union Of sentiment and action However profitable
TO others strife s fatal 10 themselves IL s the lever OF amb
ton and cupdty and viii be used for Overurning our most
precious rights has multiplied difficulties in the past
greatest dacaites in the future Differences OF opinion viii
necessarily exist but they should be tempered by iorbeaanee
the close Of the and that our people have never
been quiet temperate and orderly In all respects as at
present recall acts Of violence OF political origin
that have been committed in that time Let us hope that as The
late treaty grants immunity for the war our sense OF mutual
security win continue the of law and order ana that
highest efforts viii be directed to the promotion Of harmony
among ourselves
The treaty concluded OF Washington by the delegation ofthe
Cherokee Nation the 18th Of July 6 having been Tahed
by and proclaimed by the President OF the United
as 10 the insce and wisdom Of Of the stipuatons i'm
poses fun that the delegation obtained the
to comply good faith with al Its PROVISIONS BY this course
The Cherokees viii not only perform simple duty C1 my Se
garss Of our Constitution changes rs provisions ana clearly
contains the germs OF future strife and division .
you have before You such amendments TO the Constitution
Of the Nation appear be rendered necessary BY the treaty
adoption.
law proynr for the restoation OF The farms and improve
mcnis real estate sold under them at period early as
be all consistent with reasonable regard for the
OF the purpose Of the National Council comply with the
treaty however il may be 10 their constituents that
cannot the approval Of oil reasonable claimants
More particularly this when remembered that
many Of people who have been South having amica ar
ranged terms with the occupants hfye already TtuIH 70 ne
homes and quietly settled down among their former ehus ana
neghh0s the ordinary pursuits OF life By The eNsng law
Of the Nation an improvement or farm iha has been
for years reyets 20 the Nation and becomes liable 70 pe
occupied by any citizen Of the Nation In the same manner as
portion Of the public domain The ngid application
Of this under the circumstances would cause much baru
law extending for few months the time on which AL
claimants such places shall b allowed to renew their oeeupa
and stringent measures t0preyen TIE mOno
osng Of the puc domain by mere nominal elaims Ihs
subject VIII be found TO 10 Of particular importance II az any
faarc the CAesokces shall become the individual owners
~ he S nj, ce of be tatT before referred 20 grants tie
right way through lands 10 such railroads may be a
thuIi2od by Of Congress running nom any point hoI 70
any point south or rom any point any point ives, Of
Union Pacific Railroad southern Branch authorized by aet OF
Congress aud which Is now before your National Committee
4
Cherokee Country from the southern boundary OF Kansas VIA
Fort Gibson Forth Smith, Arkansas presents ne subject OF
railroads and eernphs your consideration Having few
days since member OF one OF yVgr honorable bodies ex
pressed 10 the course We should pursue IA relation
10 that particular road and 70 the progress Of puhhe improve
mcnis generally among h. 1h,'yA.' m fxoT,Me 10
ccssaIy 90 repeat now what was theh tml am
granting the AID asked for 20 the extent aud IN the way heh
, Cor e and ettemeni fy white population east OF the
18th degree Of west longitude but am IN favor oapyhg 70 We
rad Hamed part Of TIE proceeds q our large domain at s
west 81 that meridian Whenever the may be sold IN the
and Tor the purposes named ~ The treaty OF t Ju9
A. will become necessary 10 cause census 70 pS h'n VI
The Cherokee people soon respectfully recommend that you
make sach provisions Tor 10 by law will insure the gtaest
stock products Of the soil &C. viii possess general interest
and ability The names ages and Teidcoes o. Az Ss S9
rights Of Cherokee citizenship by the 9TH article Of the Treaty
should b carefully and fully recorded and filed in the executive
Office Al such not properly m the country should he
removed aud suggest iha you adopt resolution calling upon
the United States agent TO have that duty performed
BY sth article Of the treaty person Re licensed by
cI IN rie In ,o vnrc. and Merchandise in the Cherokee
County but the District therein excepted To prevent the eva
nsr,n@rlp In trnie by citizens and non citizens 81 the Nation
and the ve1aous actions az law the United States
Courts In Arkansas or that may be established IN Tue Indian
iec of trade II should require citizens engaged In trade
take license oil parties Interested and impose
Indian country Imigt also BE- proper require all cdlers
aud dealers o the States TO obtain license for the privilege
A much confusion may result 10 future people i'd
in knowledge and increase in wealth from the want Of
suitable laws the subject Of marriages as 20 the rights OF
widows aud h law II viii be advisable in opinion for
you pas which shall require all marriages 10 be duly
socnsed before lawful authority and recorded in specified
time book TO be Kept for that purpose by the Cer oil the
District Court, in which such marriage may occur a.
The public schools should be appooned In the several dis
trcts according population. Until that he done will
endent establish limited number Of schools In such neigh
borbood @ he deem most needy and where the schools VIII
1t should also confer him authority to csabsh schOols
benefit cooed children who will ho entitled 90 par
cpate the school fund according 10 their numbers In
nccon with this subject the large number OF destitute orphans
The var has largely Increased their the
ability Of their ends 10 provide for their wants Ih pate
uay true Joined the uEion and also be
OF those who were South although speak Of them from
observation What shall be done 10 relieve their wants
difficult TO determine would however. suggest the poprey
calling the attcuon Of books Of religious who
anordlng them homes and the OF education well
resGaCd sT Of to n1q and ,S. Of S
dusiy and practical knoviedge OF the more useful arts o.
Otherwise grow up denoSs and Ignorance On the part Of
tie nation will humane and less expensive TO spend
Grafton among u.s. them 10 want and neglect and
then eventually restrain their vices and punish their crimes
As the question Of indemnity for losses sustained dur
ing has been left open and unprejudiced BY the
express OF the late treaty VIII DC well Tor you
20 authorize the prosecution OF the claims OF our
citzcns for such losses In the mean time steps should
ba taken 10 ascertain their amount aud pro
serve the proof substante them board OF Intelligent
and UPRIGHT should BE- appointed 20 audit al good claims OF
the Mind referred and which shall clearly distinguish those
committed by soldiers and whites from those perpcrated
By Southern troops and rniding parties.
small delegation empowered to act In behalf OF the nation
prosecuting this aud other interests should be appointed be-