Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-06-17
RHODE ISLAND.
TSnpciaI Disnqtch IN tho Snv
The Red Men.
Grand Council im the West-Gemernl
sherman Makes IN Speech, etc.

GENERAL COUNCIL OF THE INDIAN NATIONS.
CHICAGO, June 16-A general council of the
Indian nations assembled June 6, at Ockmul-
gee, in the Indian territory, to consider the
proposed constitution. Enoch Hoag, Indian
superintendent, presided. Soon after the as
sembling kGeneralS Sherman and Marcy, Coils.
Mccoy and TourtelOtte were introduced and re-
ceived with special hOnorS. In response TO the
request of a delegate, Gen. Sherman made an adj
dress. He cOmplimented the delegates on the
intelligence and skill in the debate which had
been exhibited by them in previous councils
He described the unsafe condition of the Arrap-
ahoeS, Apaches, Cheyennes COmanches and
other uncivilized tribes. They were in the way
Of the great thorouhgfare leading from Missis-
sippi to the Pacific shore, and in their wsnder-
ings they frequently came in collision with
parties of American people. His hearers clear
ly understood how idle it was for any power to
seek to stand in the way OF the expansion and
growth Of the white race. Their brethren have
been crowded out of one state after another
The Seminoles from Florida, the Cherokees
from Georgia, the Shawnese, Osages and Wyan-
dOttes from Kansas, and still the American
people aided with constant accession of popu
lation from all parts of the world were yet
spreading and forever demanding fresh terrific
ry TO found homes. The delegates that he was
addressing represented the tribes who had the
country secured to them by treaties with the
United States.
1t was as fair and as fine a country as the foot
of man ever trod. The population of that terri
tory did not exceed 10000 persons, and it was
fully capable of supporting in abundance co.
O0O,OOO people. 1t was a finer country than
Kansas or Nebraska, and it was equal in fertll-
ity to Illinois. The speaker believed in the
white race. He knew the American people were
aggressive and perhaps violent, but he would
have it understood that they indicated their
aggressiveneSs by their increasing industry,
energy and careful ends, to which they applied
all that they acquired. He could see no reason
why the Indians should not be equal to the
white man. His body was equally robust and
his brain as large. Now what are you going to
do? You are met in council to adopt a consti-
tuition, frame laws for the government of your
territory, and harmonize your various tribes
under the confederation. You cannot do this
without harmony, without mutual concession
and willingness to yield corresponding benefit
for every advantage that is conceded to you.
You cannot all be Greeks, Choctaws or Chero-
KEGS. Each must sacrifice something for the
benefit of the whole, and an additional security
they would gain by the confederation of their
whole number 1t would pay ten fold for what
ever concession they might be called upon to
make.
In honor of General Sherman, the council de-
ferred business until the next day, when, General
Sherman having left for Fort Gibson, favorable
reports were received from various tribes of the
progress toward a ratification of the new CON
stitution adopted last fall, and a long speech
was made by the chairman, Mr.. Hoag, urging
unity and confederation of the tribes for mn
tual protection and security. proposition to
admit the Usage tribe, four of whose leading
chiefs were present, was favorably received