The Van Buren press., 1867-12-06
From he Fort Smith Herald.
Inaugural Address of the Principal Chief
of the Cherokee Nation.

of the Cherokee Nation.
Councillors dad Fdlow- Ciiizeas: AS |
.liis day take the oath of Office, and enter
on the duties of the Chief Executive OF
the Nation, am oppressed with the most
solemn sense of the greatness of the re
sponsibilitics dcyolving upon me; and
the difficulties, rs well as the importance
of the duties | am called upon to dis
charge. When reflect upon the char
acter 0fhim, who for nearly forty years
filed this oilice-whcn | remember the
implicit confidence, which we as people
reposcd in him, and the strong support
which we give him-when ! reflect on his
great intellect-thc vast range of his
knowledge, and his long experience, it is
fitting that should approach the Office
which he filed, and the duties which he
discharged, with great misgiying and self
diarust.
| belong to that class of our people,
who have been the. least favored with op.
portunitics for culture and learning.
am full Indian--I am one Of the COM
mon people; but rs one of the people, |
bring to the discharge of the grave du-
ties now before me, u heart in full sym
pathy wth the people-a heart filed with
love to the whole ofmy Nation-North-
ern and Southcrn-full Indian-and half
blood-rich and poor-Freedman and all
| love the entire people, feel deeply
for their suilerings, for passed through
those sulierings with them. ! rejoice at
any prospects Of ofprosperity that open be-
fore them, for those only are prospects,
And now by the help of Him who took
David from the Sheperd's tent, and set
him on the throne Of Israel, | hope to
succeed in discharging the duties of my
office with fidelity, impartiality, and JUS
tice to ALL
Many years ago, learned to lean for
help and guidance on the strong arm of
IsraePs God. While | direct my own
up to Him for strength and
wisdom, let me earnestly ask those ofmy
countlymen who have the fear of God be
fore their eyes, to pray also that He will
so guide and direct me, in the discharge
ofmy duties that no interest ofmy people
shall suffer, but oil the interest of the
Nation may be rapidly and permanently
advanced,
Most deeply do | deplorc one fact
brought to light by the recent census Of
this Nation. 1t is q subject Of common
remark, that Indian tribes are decreasing
Before the late war, it was supposed that
the Cherokees were an exception, and
that they were rather onthc increase, but
the census shows that the war has swept
away one-third Of our entire people. In
dustry and energy can replace property
destroyed by the war, dcsolated houses
and farms, but the loss of our people is
beyond remedy or reparation.
We have also to deplore the rayages of
pastilehce the during the current season.
A great number have been cut down by
cholera, and the common diseases of the
country have been unusally prevalent
Beside the death ofCol. Humphreys, u
S. Agent for the Cherokees, we have to
lament the loss Of some of our most val
liable citizens. These calamities are sent
upon us by the Sovereign Ruler of the
Universe. Let us bow in humble submis
sion to His will, and heed, and improve
his solemn warnings rs they pass.
congratulate you all my Fellow Citi-
zens on the peace, the harmony, and union,
that now exist between the two parties
that sprung up among our people, from
causes originating in the late war. We
could hardly have expected, at such an
early day 50 complete an oblivion of the
bitter feelings tliat were engendered while
we were arrayed in deadly hostility against
each other-some in the armies of the
Union, and others in the armies of the
late Southern Conlederacy. The wiscst
and best men of both parties, feared the
animosities would long be cherished, and
would break out in quarrels, fights, and
murders. But He, in whose hands are
the hearts Of all, has restrained even wick
ed men among us, and we have mingled
together in all the relations of life, with
a peace and harmony which has surpass-
ed our highest anticipations. At the late
election the burying of the hatchct was
most manifest. You all know, that | am
now, and have ever been Unonise, with
all my heart, and yet ] received u large
share of the votes Of the Southern Chero.
KEGS
Let me exhort you, my Fellow. Citizens
to strive fora continuance Of these peace
ful and fratcrnal relations. AT any time
peace is worth more than gold But never
in all past history, have union and har-
mony Of effort been more important to
our interests, or more necessary TO the
of our institutions than they
are now Rumors float all around us, to
the effect, that our country is 10 be sec.
tionizcd--that u territorial government
is to be established over Us, and our ia
tionalty destroyed, so rife have these ru-
mors become, that the whites on our bor-
dcrs, and some Of those among H., take
it rs almost settled fact-and no doubt