The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1880-12-02

honest, hard workingSnc from being entrap-
ped in sekeme that il not intended for their
benefit, and can end only In loss to any one
who has any thing to lose, and trouble and
all who 60 TO Oklahoma in oppo-
sition to the National authorities. So
I echo the sentiments Of large majority
Of the solid business men and farmers Of this
city and county. when say that no honest
man can afford to be used by these
Oklahoma boomers. And it is the wish Of
all such that their scheme shall fail, - it cer-
tainly will. There Is . sense Of justice and
honor and disposition to abide by the law
Of the American people that
when the test comes, will knock the wadding
out Of all such business.
Payne and his coadjutors pretend that there
is no act of Congress against his going into
the Oklahoma country. 20 called. But the
law is too plain to be explained away on =
himsy technicality. The law prohibits any
one going into the Indian country without
leave, and makes it the duty Of the President
10 remove all intruders, and for that purpose
to use the army If necessary. A second in
trtlsion subjects the intruder to . penalty OF
one thousand dollars. The phrase ''Indian
county, is one Of long use and well under
stood meaning and includes Oklahoma as
much as it does any Indian reservation, with
in the limits Of the Indian Territory. Payne
and his crowd laugh at the penalty inssmuch
as i, is merely civil liability, and does not
subject them to imprisonment. But before
they can succeed IN this movement, they must
have the cooperation of men who are not in
different about such matters. The only hope
they have Of success is to precipitate into the
country such numbers that the army will be
powerlcss TO remove them until Congress
shall he forced to recognize and legalize their
occupancy. II they could lind the precious
metals to tempt the cupidify Of man, their
scheme, lawless as it is, might succeed. Rut
when you ask man to risk his little all. and
go to hard work, blowing in the ground, he
is in no great haste to do 80. The average
Oklahoma boomer is little given to blowing,
except by proxy. He expects TO reap rich
harvest from the sweat of other mems brOws'
and unless they deludc sufficient number Of
poor working men into the idea that by join
ing the expedition they can better their con-
dition and obtain valuable homestead in
this promised land, their specuIations will
prove fruitlcss.
IL asked TO give the best reason for OppOs
ing the Oklahoma raid, answer, because il
is not right. IL sets ut defiance the laws and
treaties of the National Government, and the
President cannot, under his oath Of Office
permit it to be done, and is charged by every
consideration of honor, good faith and duty
to prevent It, by the whole power Of the ar
my If necessary. .'
Much has been said and written derogsto
ry to the policy Of treating with Indians Al
an independent people, and it is urged thai
we should regard them Ms citizens, and sub
ject them to all the duties and responsible
ties of other citizens. This sounds very wei
from our standpoint, and il no other right
but ours interviewed, there could be no Objec
ton to it. But they were an Independent
people before they came under our jurisdic
ton. So far as the Indians Immediately in
terested are concerned, the policy Of recog
nizing and treating with them as q sOver
eign independent people originated with thu
Kingdom of Spain, and while they occupied
Spanish dominions. In this relation the!
becume possessed of certain rights. SPAR
ceded her dominiOns known as the TerritOr!
of Louisiana to France, subject to the treat!
rights of the Indians. aud in turn the SAINT
territory was coded by France to the United
States, by the great Napoleon who required
rs part of the consideration by which We oh
tanned this magnificent empire, solemn
promise ''that we would execute such treaties
and articles as may have been agreed upOl
between Spain and the tribes and nations o
Indians, until by mutual consent of the Uni
ted States and the said tribes or nations 9th
er suitable articles shall have been agree,
upon.'
We have the power and, il we will, maj
disregard this stipulation, but not withou
dishonor. We have certainly gone as far il
that direction as fairness will permit. W.
compelled the Indian to accept the alterna
tive Of determination or settlement In thu
Indian Territory. He chose the latter will
p, omise, on our part. that it should be helt
sacred to him forever. BY treaty. certain di
visions of territory were set apart for certain
tribes and nations, and the remainder, in
Guiding Oklahoma. reserved for the futur'
settlement of other Indians. The act o
Congress prohibiting the settlement Of an!
more Indians in the Territory is violation
of this agreement and ought to be repealed
II we would ciyilize the Indian let us giv'
him an example of truth and justice, as prac
ticed by civilized people. If We would teacl
him to obey the law let lis show him how law
can protect him in the enjoyment Of BIZ
rights. The Indian is no fool, If he is a bar
barian. He knows that the settlement o
Oklahoma by whites in the manner proposes
is the entering wedge that shall eventually
send him adrft, with his papoose and sqnaw
with no spot on earth he can call home. Ill
is naturally opposed to it, and will doubtless
resist it with all the force Of his ,avage ma
ture.
Much has been accomplished towards tn,
enlightenment OF the Indian in the last TWEEN
~ years, and much more may be accomplish
ed by pursuing an enlightened and Christian
policy. But il is vain to offer him courts and
laws while we exhibit an utter disregard Of
to him the highest law; to offer him bibles
and schools, while we rob and drive him from
his home.
The principle objection the Indian has ia
white civilization is on account Of his apprc.
hcnsion that it means death to him, and un.
fortunately the experience Of the past is
poorly calculated to remove this apprehen-
sion. His rights are as dear to him rs ours
to us, and he feels his wrongs as we do ours.
Perhaps it is very stupid and unreasonable
in him to 90 SO Perhaps be should consider
it very kind Of our Paynes to force him
to sacrifice his traditions. habits, tastes and
prejudices. in the interests of commerce and
agriculture.
This is not the first time the people have
been called upon TO yindicate the National
honor. Good faith with the Indian is not
necessarily antagonistic to the interests Of
commerce. Convince him that we do not
mean conquest of his country and de-
struction OF his prosperity and there will be
little trouble in gaining his consent to run
railroads through the Territory. 1t is not
necessary to rob him in order TO give him the
benefits Of courts and laws; to destroy his
happiness, to give him schools and churches,
adapted to his nature and surroundings, and
thus gradually tit him for citizenship, when
be will accept the new relation from choice.
favor every legitimate means Of opening
up the highways of trade through the Terri
iory; the settlement Of all the Indians in the
Territory who will go there voluntarily; the
OF courts with special legisla-
ion intended 10 protect the Indian from i'm
position. and secure him the exclusive con-
rol OF the soil. the hnilsiiny OF schools and