Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-01-06
Gbe aaiIp SPY: daorassr, frioap Mung ganuap g. 1871

to this territory, in all probability. The ex-
pertinent which will be thus launched, OF fully
equipped Indian commonwealth, ,is one that will
be watched with the greatest interest by all.
The constitution is to be submitted to the popu-
lar vote, and then delegate to congress is to
be elected. Senator Harlan has a bill pending
providing for the admission of such delegate.
oPPosITIoN-ITs MOTIVES.
One strong and probably the controlling mo-
tive anmating the council, was the conviction
that without such unity as is aimed at by the
constitution they have framed, they would be
powerless to defeat the railroad schemes which
are so anxious to pass through their territory
and obtain control of lands. Existing treaties
provide for the passage of two trunk lnes-one
east and west and the other north and south
There are, at least, ten corporations, either de-
.tacto or in embryo, striving to get in and buy,
cajole, cheat or bully the Indians into giving
their lands away. Three lines are pushing down
from Kansas, where only one has any right and
that was forced ON the Indians against their
wishes.
These interests have their attornies and agents
in and around congress. One of them has al
ready reported regular territorial organiza-
ton, intended to supplant the federal common
wealth, now under way. Under the proposed
bill, governor and other executive and judicial
officers are appointed by the president. OF
course, it is expected that they would be white
men, whom il might be easy to manipulate in
the railroad interest. But here is the "nub" of
the bill: Section y. "That all lands in said ter
ritoFy not heretofore expressly guaranteed to
Indian tribes, are hereby declared TO belong aJ-
Solutely to the United States, freed from all In
dian titles 1ehatsoecer"
1t is claimed that all west of 80 west lonei-
tude is not properly guaranteed to the several
nations. This comprises more than one-half
the territory. The Indians do not so construe
their treaties, and believe they have the right
of it. Congress will, it is hoped, encourage this
remarkable effort of the indian statesmen, and
allow il full opportunity OF working out that
benefcent result, which seems bound up in the
programme. To me the movement has another
and even more significant aspect. 1t is noticed
that the most intelligent, educated and liberal
minded men of the leading Indian nations inter.
ested, are among those most deeply concerned in
preserving the communal form of land owner
ship, which is the basis of their whole life. Ny
friend, Col. VIM. A. Phillips, of Kansas, who
has given to the study of these interesting peo-
pie several years of an active life, expresses a
decided conviction that the land communism is
organic with them, and that any policy looking
to their preservation must guard this system
jealousy, at least until the Indians have become
thoroughly imbued with our own self.reliant
ideas With me the question is, will their
growth from within, by the form now proposed,
do away with their community of land at all?
If their educated men are more firmly con
yinccd of its equity and adaptabiity, does it
follow that more and general education will
change that view? OBSERVER.