Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-07-01
seer.
INDIAN Appeal.

n pathetic appeal is addressed to the president
by the general council of Indians, lately in ses-
sion at Ocmulgee, Indian territory setting forth
the circumstances under which they were re-
moved to that territory, which was assigned to
them for their permanent home, and their title
in it perfected by treaties, acts of congress and
patents from the United States for their lands.
Here they had lived in peace and security until
1850, and made rapid advance in the arts and
industries of civilized life. They had been
transformed from half-naked nomads to we'll
clothed well-fed, intelligent men and women.
with many of the comforts and some approach
4 To the luxury and wealth of commercial nations.
4 But the civil war came and they were involved in
ms miseries and losses. Many of them were slain,
fheir homes wore desolated, their cattle driven
way, and hardly anything but the soil beneath
t9eir feet was left TO them. No wonder they sat
own in despair. But renewed treaties, giving
assurance of protection and favor from the
United States, inspired new hopes and courage
Houses, schools and churches are springng up
In many places Farms are cultivated again,
and their herds will soon be as numerous as
ever. Only one apprehension checks their ntic-
ipations of progress and prosperity in the fu-
ture. They fear the success of certain land job
bling schemes, which, under the guise of land
grants to projected railroads, propose to despoi
them OF 24,00O,000 acres OF their best lands.
The single argument used in support of these
schemes is thlt the Indian stands in the way of
advancing civilization.
To this they reply that the hope Of improving
and civilizing the Indian race rests upon the Sc
curity and progress of the five nations, Chero-
-, Choctaws, Muscogees, Chickasaws and
beminoleS, which compose the bulk of the
partly civilized population of the Indian terrific
y. The land which they now occupy has been
Permanently set apart for the experiment of
giving these Indians the most favorable oppor-
unity for improving their condition. 1t has
Notwithstanding some drawbacks more
full than could have been expected, and
pod has already been achieved in re-
the wild tribes may be taken as an
the greater good which will be con.
tempted. In time, the petitioners say,
attain such skill in commerce and the
arts as to be able to cope with
pan, but they are conscious that
Is not yet come. To extinguish the
qualities and permit mixed occu.
le land would, they are sure, result
gendancy and ACKNOWLEDGMENT of the
Yer race and the degradation and ult-
( extinction Of the weaker. They therefore
threat the president to interpose his authority
In their behalf and close their petition with this
moving appeal:
The million of red men who first peopled
this continent are now reduced to a piliful rem
nant by contact witha more advanced race. We |
come TO you, Mr.. President. as survivors of a |
once populoUs people. We plead with YOU that |
you will inierpose your official position in our
q n NVifh
ton from all railroad, territorial, or other meas
ures affecting our status recognized by exist |
ing treaties, aud that you will approve all meas
ures calculated to inspire a sense OF security in |
the breasts Of our people. OF this they stand |
most in need. With such Just and friendly aid |
their influence for good will reach every red man
OF the plains. The bugle call will no longer be
sounded 10 assemble your armies for the chasse- |
ment Of the Indian for misdeeds; we shall have |
taught him 20 live In peace with bis race. HUI
manity, national economy and wise statesman
SNIP pronounce IN favor OF justice to the Indian
race"
- 'ltSImpossible to regard this memorial with
indifference. Ii would deserve favorable hear
inc even If the measures from which il asks
protection were more respectable in their char.
acter and purpose than they really are. They
are JOBS Of the most dishonest and unscrupu-
lous KIND, and the men interested in them are
greedy spectators aud land pirates. II there
"eic ~ ENhuiht uthlAnu Tor roads through the |
Indian territory, il might be proper TO consider
how the demand could be supplied without VIC. |
lating the rights Of the Indians and the repeat.
ed solemn engagements OF the United States. |
but there is no such exigency. The proposed |
land grants are not sought as the means of get. |
ting railroad through the territory, but the
railroad is put forward as pretext through
which TO secure the land grants II there
were such necessity for a railroad that lis
corporators were ready to construct il on the
faith Of the business waiting 10 be done
on IT, without the aid Of a land grant, then II
might be wise aud not unjust to provide some
method by which the right of way might be
purchased Of the land owners and the Indian
rights guarded. That time, probably, will come
and perhaps It is not distant but II has not
come yet, aud when Il does, no land grants will
be needed, nor would 1t ever be right 10 give
away what has already once been given. AZ TO
ihe present crowd Of land grant spectators the