The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-12-04
OKLAHOMA PAYNE.
An Able Presentment Of the Other Side OF the
Case.

OKLAHOMA PAYNE.
An Able Presentment of the Other Side Of the
To THE EDITOR In your issue of Oct. 6
there appeared an article in defense of the irre-
pressibe colonizer, Oklahoma Payne. As there
are always two sides to question, desire to
say few words in reply to said article. In the
first place, the papers are not taking issue
against the people This colony is only very
small portion of the people.
Secondly, d. L. Payne is entitled to the re-
spect of the press just so far as he is honest in
his professions to his brother-men in his
schemes to COLOMBO portion of the lands OF
the Indian Territory and no more. AS to his
having four honorable discharges from the vol
unteer and Regular service, it does not entitle
him to any more credit than the thousands of
veterans who can only show one or two honor
able discharges, but who stood the blunt of
many hard fought battle, many of whom sac
| rificed a limb or carry a scar as proof of their
service The writer says: Payne has spent
several years as an eXponant of colony of IL
600 or 10000 men (mostly ex-sodiers), who de-
| sire to settle public lands worth owning,
and will add the best our fair country pos
sesSeS"
Now, if the facts could be got at, would
| wager the price of a homestead in this fair re-
| gion that where one Union soldier that served
| in the war of 1861 is a member of this colony,
there are four civilians who never heard the
roll-call. Has he spent these several years i'll
being law-abiding citizen, when persisting in
| trespassing on lands not open to settlement,
and leading hundreds of men, women and
| children to believe that he was the Moses that
had the power and right to lead them to the
promised land, when time and again the Gov
eminent had informed him that any parties
attempting to settle in the Territory would be
treated as trespassers, and, if necessary, remov-
ed by force? Was it manly and brave in face Of
these facts, to encourage his deluded victims to
leave what might have been comfortable home,
the time wasted in taking part in these expe-
ditions had been spent in work at home? Many
ask, Why does Payne take such a deep interest
in the welfare of this colony? l will answer
the question by saying, when this colony was
! formed there was an admission fee, for which
was issued certificate of membership. AS
| the colony grew the fees advanced, until now
it requires So to join the band of lawbreakers
and at meeting held at South Haven in Sep
| TENDER, there was an extra assessment OF SO
| on each member, voted for the purpose ESQ a
member of the colony informed me) of defray-
ing the expenses of keeping up the colony, con-
| sisting of advertising stationery, Secretaries
work, and paying ID. L. Payne we'll for his
efforts in their behalf and his bills of expenses.
1t was my pleasure to visit Southern Kansas
and the Indian Territory during September,
and while at Hunnewell l visited the camp of
portion of the colony that were gathered there
under the leadership of Payne for the purpose
of again crossing the border. / was informed
by number of its members that there were
over 80, 900 members, (some said $4,000 and said
that some were dropping out and new ones were
joining every day.; but to be safe we will say
that there are 10000 certificate holders that
| will stand this last assessment of So each. This
is $4,000. 1t would seem that half of this sum
would keep Payne in Washington another
Winter. There must have been large sum
already collected. / was informed that it took
large sum to have their interests looked after;
that their chief, ID. L. Payne, had to spend last
Winter in Washington to look after their in
terests, investigate and look up the law and as
certain what their rights were. Now, how long
would it take any intelligent man to visit
Washington, call at the Interior Department,
and ascertain the facts as to the rights of any
parties to settle in the Territory at the present
time, also obtain the opinion Of the Attorney
| General in the matter and then return home
and inform the colony of the facts? Would it
have taken over two weeks? OF course q man
that enjoyed living at the Capital, and having
his bills paid, would want the mills to grind
slowly. But Capt. Payne is not this kind of q
man. He is about to take body of men, women
and children down into the Indian Territory in
the face Of the Presidents recent order that no
person would be allowed to settle within its
borders
/ am somewhat surprised that this defender
ofOklahoma Payne, being an old soldier, should
refer to Mai. Hatch in the manner he does. Has
he forgotten the duty of "a soldier? Does he know
that every soldier is sworn to obey his superior
officers, and that Mai. Hatch was simply carry
ing out the instructions of the Government?
If this ex-solder, who says he stood shoulder to
shoulder with Gen. Hatch the memorable
9Th Of May, 1862, did his duty as faithfully in
obeying the orders Of his superiors as Maj.
Hatch has done, he deserves the appreciation
of the American people,
What is this colony OF few thousand people
that they should claim rights and advantages
over the balance of the inhabitants of our great
country? Let US see what they say they pro-
pose to do, and if their principles are such as
law abiding citizens should encourage and cul-
tivate. VIII the result bear good fruit? l
was solicited to join them, and i made inqui-
ries of a number belonging to the colony what
advantages / would have as member,-that
when the Territory was opened for settle
ment why / could not just as well locate q
claim, and in case fulfilled the requirements
of the law, why / would not enjoy all the
privileges that | would have as member of
the colony? | was informed that as one of
them | would be protected; that no ono would
be allowed to interfere with my claim, etc.
and that if / should go and settle among them
and not belong to the colony would be I'M
protected, and it would be unpleasant for me-
"In what way?" | asked "Well, there might
DC an unlGlcnuly IeelIHS eAiSl against me. l.
might lose a cow or horse; my barn or house
might burn down,-strange things that they
could not control might happen, and it would
be much better for me to join them"
This made me think that the war was not
over. was about TO be recommended. Those
sentiments were not born or cultivated in the
free North, but made upmy mind that the Gov
ernments strong arm would in the future, as
in the past, protect its citizens in their rights
if they did not choose to join an organization
that-at least some of its members-held these
outlaw views.
l will say right here that have no doubt
but what the Government is thoroughly posted
regarding this movement, and that when the
time comes to open any portion of this Terri
tory to settlement. it will see that all desiring
home within its borders will have an equal
chance. If there is to lie any advantages given
to any body of men, let the Government pay
in part its debt Of gratitude to the soldiers who
periied their all to preserve the best and great