New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-08-02
TIE POLITICAL FEUD IN LNDI4N TER
RITORY.

THE DIVISION AMONG THE CHEROKEE INDIANS
ORIGIN OF THE ROSS AND DOWNING PAkIIEsn
THE PRESENT CAMPAIGN UNUSUALLY BITTER
AND BLOODY.
Fort smith, Jy 22 Correspondence Of The Washington
The Cherokees are divided into two political
parties known the Ross party and the Downing party
the Ross party opposed to opening the nd'n noT rUn
f nSe division astss back to 1882 when the
nted States that the Cherokee Indians compose
an independent or foreign nation within lho meaning OF
ENGRAVING and part opposed taking sides they became
violent parsans After the Treaty OF 1888 they pretty
Territory in which the contest continued With much
until s TR the Rfs' RaF sfS snfes
party after which the General Council framed what was
known the New Cherokee Constitution under
framed. From that period up to 1861 the parties
continued in state o. comParahve peace tam eI
feuds the difference Of principles between the parties
having degeneraed into nothing more nor less than
took since sos having been before that known
sss e d safs Ra he late sO@hn While
Ross men, through John Ross entered INTO negotiation
with Albert Pike representative OF the Southern Con-
fderacy by which they were favor the Confederacy
The Ross men, however soon abandoned the Confed;
T as b ssa SneSn as the Pin Indians who
banded together in sort OF secret organization =
w hns Ross who . perhaps onegh
certainly not more than onefourh lis Is sort OF Van
ability quick and ready TO take advantage OF any
opening that may looking to his own advantage
He is bitterly opposed to opening the Indian Territory
The candidate OF the Downing party Is full-bloOd
Cherokee named " OO-tsalctO" He has been number
of times member of the Council, and Ia reputad TO be
man of integrity and good sense though not educated
Although the candidate of the Downing faction;
he ia said to be opposed opening the Territory All
citizens of the Cherokee nation by birth, marriage, and
adoption who are eighteen years OF age are qualified
electors The general elections take place on the first
Monday In August. The elections have always been
more or noted for violence bloOdshed but the
present season is than usually bitter and
bloody. During the past six weeks there have been
at least 40 or so killings and wOundings. Among the
prominent Downing killed were JOhnycake Charles
Armstrong, Judge Richard Fields. Jesse Foreman and
brother 10 Cooley, candidate for the Senate aud Red
Bird. Among the prominent Ross men wereSJack
Doubletooth and Sam Usage Most OF the others were
young men, representatives of some OF the leading fa
lies Young OF 1s years of age being admitted 10
the ballot brought into the fight early Trained to
the use OF and taught 10 disregard life, assassina-
tiOns and fatal ARRAYS OF almost daily occur
renee. The white citizens Of the Cherokee Nation
by marriage In great trepdadon. fearing that the
tide OF battle may turn against them III not probable
that any considerable number Of them will dare to vote
at the coming election They scrupulosy avoid naming
political matters although pressed To do So United
States Clayton and T. Marshal Pagan
are daily In receipt OF letters from the white men resi-
dent Cherokee Nation, asking guarantees OF pro
lection on the part Of the United States Government
through its here The condition OF things In that
country be described appreciated except by
persons living in 1t the border.