New-York tribune., 1872-06-29
THE INDIANS.
THE oKMULGEE COUNCIL.
PROTEST AGAINST PROPOSED LEGISLATION 81 81.
CONGRESS TO cEXTNGUIsH INDIAN IIILES

PROTEST AGAINST PROPOSED LEGISLATION by
CONGRESS TO eEXTINGUIsH INDIAN IIlsE1
TO LAND IN THE INDIAN TERRITORY
TuREATENED TROUBLES AROUND FORT SILL
CuIcAGo. Ill, June 29. - A report from
okmulgee Indian Territory says the General Coucn oi
Indians adjourned on the 18th inst, after adopting inc
following memorial to the President
To HIS Ereeleney u s. Grant President Of NE UnsSa
Sl,s Your memoriallsts CheFOkees, Choctaws MnSro-
gees shawnees, sacs and Foxes senecas, and other
Ssnns rs nSf IN odaSc aS SssOed
gee in June, lsT2 would most resPeeddiny En9T
tory was set apart for permanent homes ior
the red people, where they mighti I've. IN peace
approved May 2s 1880 that their right and title TO this
country were perfected by treaties with the Uhlted
States by acts OF Congress- and patents in fee simple
from the United States rwelye treaties cited In the
That the Cherokees. Choctaws Muscogees Chickasaws
and seminoes but few years since lived east OF the
Mississippi River, from whence they were expelled by
That under the plea OF necessity they were transferred
TO the country they own then Wilderness under
their weary feet rekinde their council fires build anew
their houses open farms, school their children worship
God. and organize governments OF their own ana tt
these privileges should be secured 10 them and their
children for all time to come, contingent only on
their extinction voluntary abandonment OF their do
main Relying upon such solemn guarantees our peo-
pie settled down in conscious security and up 10 Iso
made rapid strides in civilized arts and industry. Half
century had transformed them from half-naked
women with many OF the comforts and some approach
the luxury and wealth OF commercial nations They
I'VE and highly hopeful Of the future but the civil
broke out and involved them against their will in It's
fearful vortex. During the conflict they despoied
of everything save the soil beneath their feet.
with sons and brothers slain, homes desoiaed, their
no wonder they sank down i'm utter despar. But the
treaties negotiated between the United states Govern
ment and the Cherokees Creeks, ChOctaws Chicasaws
and semnoes guaranteeing these nations the right OF
domain aud sefgoyernnent, rekinded our spirits and
hopes and we again the road To prosperity Good
homes cheerful schools, and oOnlmodious churches are
sprngng up in many places; farms ale being opeAed
nxtau cd
herds and ocks the increase, and Will soon again
dot ST5 PraeI Z retarded by the evil and dark
forebodings of the future. The charters OF GER
torv contain provisions land grants
tingent upon extinction Of the Indian title. THESE
exent OF acres OF their best lands. They fur
nsh an incentive wealthy to combine into corpo
on to bese Te'f anSs TIa to ah end RSe oEama and
other bills OF a similar purpOrt have been pressed upon
Congress under the plea that the Indian stands the way
of advancing civilization. We pray you Mr. President TO
interpose your authority and your humane will IN our
behalf The ameloraon, the salvation OF the Indian race
depends upon the security and progress OF the five ma
tions. Our destiny with theirs is one We are doomed
to u AS our home We have receded before the approach
Of the white man until this the last desirable spot we
proying IT, 1t Is cOnsecrated TO us by years OF cruel
suffering We have raised the Indian TO his present con-
dtion by the example Of industry, aud what good
we have achieved IN reea ming the Wild tribes may be
taken as earnest Of the greater good we shall still
In time We may attain to such skill In commerce and
mechanic arts that we may lee aDe 10 cope WIN Out t
arrived We do not ask for, but, the contrary,
strongly protest against the measure looking TO the x
tinguishment Of our nationaes. The lessons OF the
nasf should not be forgotten. mixed occupancy OF
9ur land would but result in the ascendency and aggran
dzement of the stronger race aud the ana
ultimate extinction OF the weaker Past experience de-
csres the truth Of this. The million OF red men who
drs peoped this continent reduced TO ptllu
remnant by contact with more advanced race. we
come you, Mr. Presidont as survivors OF once poPu
IONS people. We plead with you that you VIII inter
nose YOUR official position in behalf We entreat you
10 withhold your sanction from all railroad, territorial
or other affecting status as recognized Dy
existing treaties and that will approve all measures
calculated inspire sense OF security IN the breasts OF
our people OF this they stand most IN need with such
lust and friendly aid their influence for good VIII reacn
every red OF the plains. The buge call Will no
longer sounded to assemble your armies for the chas
tisement OF the Indian for misdeeds; we shall
have taught him to live In peace with his race Human
ity national economy, and wise statesinanshlp pro
nounce in favor of justice 10 the Indian race:
30 90 Nati"s. ff'~'''''
NJ .-. .n,.a nafIors nrnnnd Fort Sill arc not