Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1884-03-20

VAIL A 4S-clS~ ~ A. AU4A AOuS AOt
our limited space, but relates to a
question Of such immediate inter
est to all the people of the Nation
that it Is inserted, 70 the exclusion
OF articles Of more general char
acter-
II is unfortunate for the Nation
that any occasion ever gave rise to
such question, but now, that it is
up. let it be definitely settled. The
ground assumed by the reply as to
the right Of the Nation 70 control
her own funds, not only under the
Act of Congress which appropriat-
ed the particular fund in c0ntro-
versy, but Of al other funds, under
treaty stip1lations with the Caited
States, is clearly correct. This
right has been too long recognized
by every department Of the general
government, and enjoyed by the
Cherokee Nation, to be doubted, It
VIII not be relinquished. For when
that shall be done, the end Of every
other right, and of national exist
ence itself, viii be soon reached.
The Cherokee Nation In this re-
spect has never been IN a state Of
minority, and 1t is too lste TO enter
upon it. There is bat little within
their experience o. observation
that would persuade the Cherckees
TO consent to the application of
their funds BY appropriation of
Congress, or their disbursement By
the Indian Agents. Not because
they might distrust the wisdom of
the one, or the integrity of the
other, although they do OCCASION
ally fall by the wayside-but be
cause It would be neither Just nor
5xpedient. There is nothing in
that kind of guardianship that is
not Illuminating and subversive of
independence, and of seif-respect
and self-reliance- And the Chero-
KEGS viii sustain their authorities
10 the fullest extent IN resisting any
attempt Of the kind, from what
ever source It msy come.
So far as the small fund is con-
cerned, which has caused the rais-
ing of this issue. there is no room
for doubling that the equity of the
case is with the native Cherokees.
whatever difference of opinion may
exist, even among themselves, as
10 the points of law or expediency
involved The Editor, who speaks
only for himself in the premises,
Is free to say that he favored the
distribution Of the mite to all citi-
zens Of the Nation as a matter Of
legal implication, but not because
the cOmplainants, red, white or
black, were deprived Of equitable
rights by the course pursued. This
is altogether the case with the
whites and blacks, 10 4 consider
able extent with the Shawnees, but
very much less with the Delawares.
And this because the Delawares
contributed to the funds of the Ma
ton largely for the rights acquired
BY them as citizens, the Shawnees
much less, and the whites and
blacks nothing
But the amount Of money in
volved is the least consideration
growing cut Of this case. Others
more important and far-reaching
are manifest, and they are such as
should be deprecated and avoided
by every friend Of the country,
whether native or adopted. We
see already Adventures, and we'll
known implacable enemies 10 the
preservation and perpetuation of
the rights of the Nation, and OF !
the Indian Territory, taking advan- /
tage of the pretext Afforded them /
10 fonent trouble, and to wider a |
breach between the native and {
s5opted elements which compose /
the population Of the Nation. "Di-
vide and conquer" is the policy of /
fellows, as well as Of cum
ming statecraff or ambitious gener-
alship, and It is the duty Of all /
by the exercise of justice.
he execution of law, and 4 spirit
Df kindness and patriotism, to avoid
every issue that may lead TO such
We want no controversy
hat viii give any excuse for jeal-
lusy and distrust between these
iwo elements The uniting of Ell
her Of them IN a common cause
rill necessarily lead to the uniting
1f the others for selfprotection-
The CHIEFTAIS is for harmony,
confidence, the recognition of the
tights of al citizens, and the main
enance Of the government Of the