New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-06-17
GENERAL INDIAN COUNCIL.

ALL THE WARLIKE TRIBES hEfhESENTED-AD-
DRESSES OF GEN. SHERMAN AND ENoCH HoAG.
CHICAGO, June 16.-A special correspondent
Of The Times reports from Okmugee, Indian Territory,
June 8, the assembling Of general council OF indian
nations to consider the proposed Constitution Enoch
Hoag Indian superintendent presided. Soon after as
sembing, Gen. Sherman, Gen. Iarcy, Col Mccoy, a2d
Col Tourtdotte introduced and received with spe-
cal honors In response to request of delegate, Gen.
Sherman made brief address.
ADDRESS OF GEN. SHERMAN
He complimented the delegates their intelligence
and skill in debate which had been exhibited by them III
previous councils He described the unsafe condition OF
the Arrapahoes, Apaches Cheyennes, Comanches, and
other uncvilzed tribes. They were in the way OF the
great thoroughfare leading from the Mississippi to the
Pacific shore and in their wanderings they frequently
came into collision with parties of the American people
His hearers clearly understood how idle 1t was
for any power to seek to stand In the way OF
the expansion and growth OF the white race: Their
brethren had been crowded out OF one State aer am
otherthe Seminoles from Florida the CheTokees from
Georgia, the Shawnees, the Osages the Wyandoues,
from Kansas and still the American people, aided with
constant accessons Of population from all parts OF inc
fresh territory in which to found hOmes The delegates
he was addre ssing Represented tTiDes VINO had
fair and fine country as the foot OF man ever
trod The population Of that territory did not exceed
96Undpnce population Of millions twas finer coun-
try than Kansas finer country than Nebraska and was
white race He knew the American people TO be aggIes
slve and perhaps yolent but he would have 1t unSer-
increasing industry and energy and the careful ends 10
which they applied all that they acquired He e9na see
why the Indian should not be the equa OF te
white His body was equally robust and his brain
as large j.. ~
You met in council to adopt Constitution frame
laws for the government OF your territory and harmon
lie your various tribes under one confedefatlo You
cannot do this without harmony, without mutual con-
cession. and willingness TO yield corresponding ben
eft for every advantage that conceded to You You
cannot all be Creeks, Choctaws, Cherokees. Each
sacrifice something for the benefit OF the whole,
federation Of their whole number would pay them ten
fold for whatever concession they might DO called upon
TO make"
In honor of the social visits of these distinguished
white brethren the council did not enter into the
sderaton Of any business but spent the remainder OF
the afternoon in pleasant conversation, In which Mr.
william Ross (Cherokee), Coleman Cole lChoctawh
Pleasant Porter luskokee) and Joseph Folsom Choc-
taw) bore prominent part.
The business session proper opened to-day The dele
gates showed much ability and familiarity with parna-
mentary laws governing legislative bodies. White dele
gates informally appointed elected excluded.
delegate wished to inquire whether the Secretary had
transmitted copy Of the Constitution adopted at the
December session with the proceedings OF the Council to
the various tribes represented for submission to popular
vote.
Seminole delegate said the above document had been
read in his nation and reply had been forwarded an
nouncing that its submission had been indefinitely post
poned.
A Chickasaw delegate Informed the Council that the
submission OF the Constitution would take place in his
nation August The Governor had been requested
10 convene the Legislature In extra session. but he de-
clned the ground that the matter Is Of too much
Importance TO be decided by legislative body.
Cherokee delegate reported that the Constitution
had been transmitted to the Executive Of the Cherokee
nation last February, but had been withheld by some
unauthorized Individual and not delivered until ten days
ago. with the seal broken. Now it too late to take
action According to the delegates belief his nation
would readily ratify the Constitution on its submission TO
them. -
The Chairman remarked that the last session Con-
stitution had been framed and adopted with great una
nmlty, which he believed and which they all believed
10 be good one. There Is doubt that that COnstu
ton would have been confirmed and approved by Con-
gress with possibly few alterations He wished to
impress upon the minds of the delegates the necessity Of
harmony aud united action Many sincere friends Of the
Indian race In Washington in the United States
were anxiously looking for their ratifca-
ton Of the Constitution. He supposed the
time they should know that influences adverse
the interests of their people were at Work ~
monopOies, casting coyetous glance upon that
rich and beautiful territory and By want OF concert
Of action and fair adjustment OF interests they failed
10 provide Themselves with cOnfederated form OF gov
eminent which should give strength and stability TO
their poca and social Institutions, the speaker would
warn them that they placing themselves in great
danger. In addition TO the powerful capital the whole
rude border element striving to crowd them out,
and already their northern border was oycrrun by
unscrupuous ntrudcrs. He would remind them that In
union there was strength and the utmost need existed
for their urging upon their people to take prompt acu0n
I'm ratfying constitution which should bind their social
fabrics together and give strength and harmony to their
relations as united people.
The chairman concluded by recommending tho delegates
TO receive tho Osages to their friendship; these people
he said are friendly, cOnlding, and hospitable they
have been driven away from their homes IN Kansas by
the white race who settled upon their land by thousands
and when they found their hunnggrounds ruined
and that either themselves their white neighbors had
70 move they consented to leave their beautiful stream
their pleasant valleys, their shady forests. and
than all their treasured buryng ground so that there
might DO peace between the two They have given
p one home the white man, and are now living among
you in your Territory. 1t is your duty 10 make this
secure from intrusion.
The Usage delegation, consisting Of four splendid
looking Chiefs with all the bravery Of warpan bears
claws and brass spanges, attract great attention. The
leading member Joseph Pomipashawe, Governor Of the
nation is man Of education and advanced ideas but be
cngs to the habits OF his from the fear that he
were TO throw away his blanket and adopt civilized
life. he would lose all influence with his people.