The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1883-08-30
g - q 4 sssIaIa
THE CREEK COMPROMISES.

The plan arranged by Messrs. Fisk
and WhItileseY for the reconciliation OF
the hostile factions OF the Greek nation
must depend for its success upon the
spirit IN which il is received and acted
upon by the Indians themselves. The
commissioners have done well, however,
In securing the signatures of thirty
chiefs, apparently representing fairly
both the factions, u 3 written agreement
voluntarily subscribed. As this docu-
ment Is somewhat loose and general IL
its terms, dissatisfied partisans may
hereafter complain that its provisions
have NOT been carried out: but the diff
Guilty in exactly formulating all the
grievances complained OF, and in pro-
viding for their removal. springs from
the nature of the discussion, which
is one of a generally embitLered feeling
between the two portions OF the tribe.
The commissioners appointed by the
Indian bureau 70 adjust the troubles
found that the Northern Creeks desired
to be set apart, with portion of the ter
FltOFy and local government for them
selves. They also found that this fac
ton, dating its troubles from the edop-
ton of the written constitution, had
come to regard the new form of govern.
ment as the central evil, and hence de-
sired 20 return to the old methods Of
tribal management and sway. 1t is
creditable to the commissioners that
they have succeeded in securing an
agreement based on unity in the nation
and the written constitution. Of the seY
en- articles Of the compact, the first ex
presses an earnest desire to preserve
the integrity of the Creek nation :" the
second recognizes the existing constitu-
tion as fundamental law, buI comedies
that il should be amended by reducing
the number of Legislators and the pres
ent cost of carrying on the government
the third grants amnesty and pardon for
all past offences; the fourth recon-
mends the abolition of reorganization of
the Light Horse, a body of militia
many of whom shave used oppressive
IN power; the fifth calls for q
commission tn reimburse those whose
property has been unlaWfully seized and
destroyed during the disturbances; the
sixth provides for q general paIticipa-
ton in the election which is To take
place next month for officers of the ma
tiOn during the next four years; while
the seventh treats of the presence of
troops Sin one camp at Ocmulgeo" to
enforce order.
As is well known, when the rebellion
broke out in 1851, part of the Greeks
sided with the Union. while the remain
der gave their assistance to the south.
At the close of hostilities the tribe
found difficulty in entering again into
harmony. The most feasible cOuzse
seemed TO be that of adopting a written
constitution and establishing a regular
form OF government, with legislative,
executive and judicial branches. 1t has
been said that this plan originated with
the leaders of the loyal faction, who
probably expected that an election
weuld place them in power over the
combined nation; at all events, what
ever its origin, the project was generally
acceptable at first. But the first cleo
ton under the constitution resulted in
the triumph of the southern party, to
the chagrin of the other faction, which
mainly refused to abide by the result.
The second election for govern
ment officers went the same way,
and the malcentents became still
more embittered. But some leaders OF
the loyal party seem to have given
their adhesion to the new order of things,
and in the late conference these were ev-
identity brought as much as possible to
the front, no fewer than nine of them be-
ing among those selected to represent
the southern faction, as if to silence the
complaint of its former dIsloyalty.
Meanwhile the Washington government
and the troops. whenever called upon to
intervene In tho riots of the factions,
were, of course, compelled 70 recognize
the established authority as the only
lawful one, and its opponents as insuF-
gents. The latter were hurt 1t whist
they considered ingratitude In view of
their war services, although, there was
really no other course 20 pursue, and
their misfortune was in being Outnum-
bered or outgeneralled.
The past year the Greek govern
ment, headed by Chiet Checote, relying
on its lawful authority, has pressed the
| Insurgent faction very hard. being ag-
| grieved at its persistent withdrawal to q
corner of the domain for residence; and
it has arrested and imprisoned some of
those indictments who have occasional
lY visited the capital. Attempts at res
cue or escape were followed by blood
shed, and this in turn by acts of retalia-
tiOn and vengeance, until the presence
of troops has become necessary to pre-
| vent general civil war.
These articles of agreement were
| drawn up In a conference of the COM
missIoners with FIVE chiefs of each par
| ty, who had been selected from q body
of fifteen of each party. The test of the
plan will be. OF course, first during and
| after the September elections, and then
during the legislation undertaken to
carry out the compact But with
| moderation on the part of the stronger
party and reasonable acquiescence on
the part of the weaker, the long stand
ing dissensions will gradually pass
away.