The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-06-17
INDIAN LEGISLATION.
Grand Council Of Delegates in the
Indian Territory.
Proposed Confederation Of ali
the Civilized Tribes.
General Sherman Gives Good Advice
to the Red Warriors.
>~~~~~>~~-1~~-~I>~~~-.-
Unity and Civilization the Only Defence
Against AnnihilatiOu.


CHICAGO, June 10, 1871.
special correspondent reports from Okmulgee,
Indian Territory, June 0. the assembling Of gen.
erM council OF Indian nations to consider the pro-
posed constitution. Enocn Hoag. Indian Superln.
tendent, presided. Soon after assembling General
Sherman, General Marcy, Colonel Mccoy ana Colonel
TourteloTte were introduced and received with
special honors.
ADDRESS BY GENERAL SHERMAN.
In response to q request OF q delegate General
Sherman MADE brief address. lie complimented
the delegates on the intelligence and skill IN
debate which had been exhibited by them IN
previous councils. He described the unsafe con-
dltion OF the Arrapahoes, the Apaches, the Chey-
ennes, the Camanches anu the other uncvilized
tribes They were In the way OF the great thorough.
fare leading from the Mississippi to the Pacific Shore
and IN their waudernss they frequently cane into
collision with parties OF the American people His
hearers clearly understood how Idle 1t was for any
power TO seek 10
STAND IN THE WAY OF THE EXPANSION
and growth Of the white race. Their brethren had
been crowded out Of one State after another-the
Semlnoles from Florida, the Cherokees from Geor-
gia the Shawnecs. the OsaRes, the Wyandottes
from Kansas-and still the American people, aided
with constant accessons OF population from all parts
OF the world, were yet spreading out and forever
demanding fresh territory IN winch to found homes.
The delegates he addressing represented tribes
who had country secured to them by treaties
with the United States; 1t was as fair and
as fine county as the foot OF man ever trod.
The population OF that Territory did not exceed sixty
thousand persons, and 1t was fully capable or sup.
porting In abundance population OF sixty millions.
1t was inner country than Kansas q finer country
than Nebraska. II was equal in fertility to Illinois,
The speaker believed IN the white race. He knew
the American people 10 be aggressive and, perhaps.
violent; but he would have IL understood that they
indicated their agsressveness by their increasing
they applied all tnai they acquired lie could see no
reason why the Indian SHOULD mol be the
EQUAL Or TIE WHITE MAN.
His body was equally robust, and hts brain as
large. Now" said the General. ''wnat are you
going to do! You are met in council TO ADOPT a
constitution, frame laws for the government OF your
territory, and harmonl2e your various tribes under
one confederation. You cannot do sthis without
harmony, without mutual concession and willing.
ness to yield corresponding benefit for every adj
vantage that Is Conceded to you. You al be
Creeks Choctaws or Cherokees. Each must sacrifce
something for the benefit OF tae whole and tue ad-
dItonal security you would gain by the conleaera-
ton or your whole number would pay you teDfoid
Tor whatever concession you may DO called upon
TO make"
In honor OF the social visits OF these distinguished
white brethren the Council ana not enter into the
consideration OF any business. but spent the re.
mainder OF the afternoon In pleasant conversation,
Cole t1'hociawl. Pleasant Porter tMuskokeej ana
Joseph i. Folsom (Cnoctawl bore prominent part.
General sherman and party left Tor Fort Gibson.
TIE BUSINESS SESSION,
proper opened to-day. The delegates showed much
! aoiuy anu familiarity with Parliamentary laws gov
| formally appointed or elected, were excluded.
DELEGATE wished 10 in nire whether the Sec
retdry had transmitted copy OF the constitution
adopted at the December session. WITH the pro-
ceedings Of the Council, to the various tribes rep
resented Tor Submission TO popular vote.
a SEMINOLE DELhG ATE S3lu the above document
had been read Ia his nation anu reply had been
forwarded answering that its submission had been
Indefinitely deferred.
A CHIcYAsAw DELEGATE informs the Council that
the submission OF the constitution would take place
In his nation In August next. The Governor had been
requested TO convene the Legislature in extra
sion, but he declined ON the ground that the matter
Is OF too much Importance TO be decided ny legis
lative body.
A CnKRoKEE DELEGATE reported that the consti.
tuition had been TRANSMITTED to the Executive OF the
Cherokee Nation last February, but mad been with
held by some unauthorized individual ana not de-
when 1t was too late to take action. According to
the delegates belief his natlon would readily raiiy
the constitution on It's submission to them.
REMARKS OF TIE CHAIRMAN.
The CHAIRMAN remarked that at the last session
a consultation had been framed and adopted win
great unanimity, which ne believed. and which they
all believed to be good one. There Is no doubt that
that constitution would nave been confirmed and
approved by Congress, with possibly few altera
tons. he wished TO impress upon the minds OF the
delegates the necessity OF harmony ana united ac-
ton. Many sincere friends of the Indian race In
Washington. In the United States, were anxlously
looking for the ratification OF the constitution lie
supposed the delegates knew, and II they did not
know l. was fully time they should hlow that vast
INFLUENCE ADVERSE 10 THE INTERESTS
Of their people were at work IN Washington and else
where. sRairoad corporations and money ed monopo-
lies were casting coyetous glance upon that rich
and beautiful territory, and IT, by want OF concert OF
action and lair adj uStment oil interests. they failed
to provide themselves with conedcraed form or
government, which should give strength and sta
blity TO their political and social institutions, the
speaker would warn them that they were placing
themselves Ia great danger. In addition to the pow
erful capital the whole rude border element was
STRIVING TO CROWD THEM our,
and already their northern border was overrun nv
INSCRIPTIONS mtruders He would remind them
that In union there strength, and the utmost
need existed for their urging upon the people TO
take prompt action IN fatiiying constitutions which
should bind their social fabrics together and give
strength and harmony to then relations as united
people. Tne Chairman concluded very excellent
address by recommending the delegates to receive
the Osages to their friendship These people,
he sad, are friendly, confidlnR and hospitable.
They have been driven away from their homes in
Kansas by the white race, who settled upon their
lands by thousands; and when they found their
hunting grounds were mined and that either them.
selves or their white neghbors had TO move, they
consented TO leave their beautiful stream, their
pleasant valleys their shady forests and more than
all, their treasured burylng ground, SO that there
might be peace between the two races. They have
given up one home TO the white man, and are now
living among you In your territory. IL Is your duty
to make this secure from intrusion.
THE Usage DELEGATION,
consisting OF four splendid looking Chiefs with all
the bravery OF war, paint, bear claws ana brass
spangles, attract great attention. The leading men,
Der, Joseph PomlDashawe, Governor OF the nation,
Ia a man OF education and advanced ideas; but he
cngs to the habits OF his from the lear that II
he were to throw away his blanket ana adopt CIV
ilized life, he would lose all influence with his
people