The Van Buren press., 1870-06-28

| the increase OF the white popuiatlon Ano
the march of events have removed u,
from the wilderness in which we were
then plunged unwillingly, and placed u'
in the way Of our neighbors. the fault Il
not ours, nor do they invalidate any ex
isting obligations. We ask nothing from
the people and authorities of the United
States, aside from their respect and good
icllo wship, but what they have promised
An obserpance Of their Treaties. Despite
all the vicissitudes Of our history, and
the terrible ordeal of war by which we
have been scourged with fire and sword,
through no fault OF ours, but weakness
and inability to sustain ourselves, we feel
that we are even now progressing IN
knowledge and improvement in the arts
and customs OF civilization. We desire
no change for the purposes Of expert
ment in the policy Of the Government In
Its dealings towards our people and Ter
ritory. We have no fault to find will
their policy as provided for by our Trea,
ties. All that we crave 10 simple and
honest administration Of that policy by
competent and honest means.
We have been charged with opposition
to progress and Improvement; but in ref
utation of that charge, however humble
they may seem, we confidently appeal to
our houses, our farms, our stocks of
horses and cattle, our schools, our
churches, and our regularly organized
Governments. We are not opposed to
progressive are not opposed to I'M
provement-we are not opposed to civili
zation--we are not opposed to the Chris
tian Religion. On the contrary. We &C
kno wledge the conviction that rests upon
our minds, that our highest interests and
self preservation itself depends upon pro-
gress and improvement We feel that we
cannot safely step backward, but must
press forward-'nspired by the spirit Of
the age in which we live-in the arts,
pursuits, and achievements Of the sur
rounding civilization We desire only
not to be overwhelmed by the influences
brought to bear upon US through the am
pition Of aspiring men, the cupidity OF
soulless corporations and combinations
of whatever name, or the mistaken phi
lanthrophy ofthe uniformed Our forms
of Government are those of our own
choice, modelled after your own, and such
as are adapted to our condition; under
them we have prospered when allowed
quiet and rest. The tenure by which we
hold our lands is such as we prefer, and
such as we believe to be for the best for
the majority of our people; observation
and reflection lead us to believe that no
change can be made in this respect that
vii! no. be frapg!t wit. mischief and ruin.
We wish no change in regard to either.
and confidently appeal TO you to arrest
all attempts to enforce them upon US ex-
cept to the extent and In the manner au-
that may be hereafter concluded; by them
we are bound, upon them we rely, and We
appeal to you as the stronger and more
enlightened party to these compac,s, to
honestly and firmly observe their stipula.
tons. We do not wish any material
changes In our relations to tue Govern
ment, but we do wish quiet and security.
The constant agitation ofquestions which
vitality affect our welfare, arc full OF evil
influences upon our progress; we want
consciousness Of protection and security;
it is in your power to give both; you
have promised them. Grant these and
we shall fear no evil, we shall apprchend
for our race. neither extinction nor deg
but progress and civilization
will follow, and brighter page on lndi.
an affairs will he found in the history OF
the United States than has yet been re-
corded
Adopted and signed in international
Council at Okmul.gee in Muse gee Ma
ton on Saturday, the 4th day of June,
1870. VIM Z. ROSS, Pres.
S. II. BENaE, aud others, Cherokee
Delegation.
PLEASANT PORTER, and others, Creek
Delegation.