The Van Buren press., 1867-12-06

powerful efforts will be made to bring
about these results; our rich lands, and
our clear springs, and even our poor ilinty
hills. and our malarious streams 10 tempt
the cupidity ofwhite men living in crowd
ed sections of country, and these sections
are becoming more and more crowded by
the influx of people from foreign lands,
who are pouring into the United States,
at the rate of almost million n year.
Yet notwithstanding this, and notwilh-
standing all that has been said about the
United States breaking faith with Indians,
and violating their treaty obligations to
them; have too much confidence in the
Justice and rcctitudc of the government
of the United States, 20 suppose that it
will wantonly violate its treaties with us
which have been SO recently renewed, and
most assuredly will they never violate
them, if we as people are united and
present solid front in support of our
rights and our Institutions.
| congratulate you also, on the peace
ful relations which exists between the
Cherokee Nation and the government of
the United States, and the intelligent de
sire manifested by our people for the
maintanancc of these relations especial
ly in this cause of graduation when we
reflect on the condition of the tribes of
the plains. A desolating war is waged
u,nn ,ho,, a ,yor brnurht o, ,,or.I,, h,.
the cruelty and cupidity Of white men on
tho plains, and partly by the robberics
and murders of these predatory tribes. |
am happy to know, however, that the
lives and property of white men residing
among us, and passing through our com-
try, have been rs secure, rs the lives and
property Of our own citizens. Let this
continue, and let the National council
provide for their security by law. Let
Shcritrs and Judges protect them in their
official capacities, and let every Cherokee
show them friendship and courtesy. If
white men intrudc-seck for redress by
lawful remedies. Then our zeal in de
fcnsc Of our rights, and for the pcrpetu-
ty of our institutions, will not be mistaken
for hatred to white men, or indifference
to civilization.
will not on this occasion, speak of
the details of business before the council,
but in the course Of a few days, | hope
to lay before it a message containing such
suggestions as may seem desirable. |
viii now only say, let a sincere desire to
promote the true interests of the Nation,
pervade every heart and characterize
every effort Let every officer be held to
q strict account for the faithful perform
ance of his duties. Let negligence and
NAL practice in Office be searched out, and
dealt with as they deserve. Let the in
forests of every class, and of every see
ton receive their proper attention Let
the educational interests of the country
by no means be neglected During the
war the opportunities of education were
suspended, and our children were grow
ing up without it. Labor to remedy this
evil as far as it can be done. IL possible
provide means for the education of those
of our young people who have grown up
without it, for no true progress can be
made without education among the whole
people. With these high aims before
you, if each ono discharges his duties
with conscientious fidelity, true progress
will be sure to result from your labor
The question which divide and distract
the Southern States, are with us happily
settled and can cause ia no trouble
Those of our people who were lately in
rebellion are by the terms of our law re-
invested with all the rights and franchises
of citizenship, and live in peace and Sc
curity at their own homes-while the
freedmen are made citizens on an equal
footing with Cherokees.
In conclusion let me ask of the cOun-
Gil let me ask of all my fellow citizens,
that strong support. which we have given
through so many years to our venerated
Chief, whose remains we have recently
buried at Park Hill, amid the desolation
Of his once beautiful home, for all the
powers Of the Chief are derived from the
people. You have called me to be your
servant, and the people must sustain their
servants. In all my short comings in
the discharge of my official duties, let me
ask for that leniency which is due to one
who is earnestly striving rightly to dis
charge such important duties as these
which have been laid upon me by the
votes Of the people.