The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1872-06-29
INDIAN TERRIToRY.
The General Council Memorlalizes
the President.

The General Council MemorIalizes
the President.
CHICAGO, June 2s.-A report from
Okamulgee, Indian Territory, says that
the General Council adjourned on the 18th
inst after the adoption OF the following
memorial to the President:
10 His Ereellency o. s. Grant, President
Of the United States!
Your memorialists, Cherokees, Choc.
taws, Muscogees, Shawnccs, Sacs and
Foxes, Senecas and other tribes, owning
lands in the Indian Territory, and repre-.
sentCd in the General Council Of the same,
assembled In Okamulgee, January 1S,
1872, would most respectfully show that
the country known as the Indian Terri.
tory, was set apart for permanent homes
for Red people, where they might live in
peace with each other and with all men.
The act oi Congress, approved May 2S,
1880, that their right and title to that
country were perfected by treaties with
the United States by acts Of Congress and
patents in fee simple from the United
States Twelve treaties arc cited In the
memorial; that the Cherokees, Choctaws,
Muscogees, Chickasaws and Seminoles
but few years since lived east Of the
Mississippi river, from whence they were
expelled by superior force, and in disre-
gard Of their earnest protests; that under
the plea Of necessity they were transferred
to the country they now own, their will
dcrness, under solemn guarantee that here
at last they might rest their weary
feet, rekindlc their Council fires and
build anew their houses and open
up farms and school their children,
to worship God and organize govern
ments Of their own, and that these privi.
leges should be secured to them and to
their children for all time to come, con.
tingent only on their destruction or vol.
untary abandonment Of their domain.
Relying upon such solemn guarantees our
people settled down in conscious security,
and up to 1860 made rapid strides in the
civilized arts and industry. Half of the
country had been transformed by them
from hall naked and nomadic people to
well clothed, well fed and intelligent
men and women, with some Of the com.
forts and some approach to the luxuries
and wealth of the commercial nations,
They were the undisputed owners OF a
vast domain, and were progressive and
highly hopeful Of the future, but the civil
war broke out and involved them against
their will in its fearful vortex. During
the conflict they we're despoiled OF every
thing save the soil beneath their feet,
with their sons and brothers slain,
their homes desolated, their herds
Of cattle driven off, and their plop.
erty destroyed. 1t Is no wonder that
they sank down in utter despair, but
treaties negotiated between the United
States Government and Cherokees,
Creeks, Chocktaws, Chickasaws and
Seminoles guaranteeing 10 these nations
the right Of dover and selfgovernment,
rekindled their spirits and hopes, and
again they are on the road to prosperity,
good houses, cheerful schools and commo.
dious churches are springing up in many
places, farms being opened or extended,
grains and fruits are cultivated, our herds
and ilocks are on the increase and will soon
again dot our prairies. Still the truth must
be told, our progress is retarded by evil
men and dark fOrebodingS of the future:
The charters Of certain railroads projected
through the Indian territory, certain per.
missions for extension Of land grants con-
tiguous upon extinction oftthe Indians;
these grants contemplate the spoilation oi
the Indians to the extent ofsome "a 900 600
acres OF their best land; they furnished an
investment to wealthy men to combine
into corporations to press upon Congress
to perfect their titles to these lands,
and TO this end the Oklahoma and other
bills oi..a similar purport have been pressed
upon Congress under the plea that the
Indians stands in the way OF advancing
civilization. We pray you Mr.. President
to interpose your authority and your hu.
name win IN our behGlf. The ameliOra-
tion and salvation of the Indian race
depends upon the security and progress Of
the Five Nations, and our destiny with
theirs Is one We are doomed to stand
or fall together The spot which we,oc.
cupy is sacred to US as our home. We
have receded before the approach Of the
white man until this is the last desir-
able spot we can occupy. We have spent
years of labor in improving it. 1t is con-
secrated to us by years Of cruel suffering,
We have raised the Indian to his present
condition by the example Of our industry
and what good we have achieved
in reclaiming the wild tribes may be taken
as an earnest Of the great good We shall
still seek to accomplish. I'm time may
attain to such skill in commerce and me.
chanic arts that we may feel able 10 cope
with our white brother; but to this condi.
tion we have not yet arrived. WedO not
ask for but, on the contrary, VIC simply
protest against the measure looking to the
extinguishment OF our nltiOnalities. The
lessons of the past should not be forgotten.
A mixed occupancy Of our land could but
result in white ascendenCy, the aggran.
dizement Of the stronger race, and the do.
graduation and ultimate extinction Of the
weak one. Past experience declares the
truth Of this. The millions Of red men
who first peopled this continent are now
reduced to o pititul remnant by contact
with the more advanced race. Wecome
to you, Mr.. President, as the survivors of a
once populous people. Weplead with you
that you will intcrpose your official posi-
ton in our behalf. We cntreat you to
withhold your sanction from all railroad.
territorial or other measures affecting our
States as recognized by the existing
treaties, and that you will approve oil
measures calculated to inspire sense ol
, security in the behests Of our people, oi
this they stand most in need. With such
: Just and friendly old their advance will
be assured, and their influence for good
will reach every red man OF the plains
Tho bugle call will no longer be sounded
to assemble your armies for the chastise-
ment of the Indian for his misdeeds
We shall have taught him to live in peace
withis race; humanity, national economy
and wise craftsmanship pronounce in "a
vor Of Justice to the Indian race.