Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1885-06-11
rHn INDIAN LANp QUESTION

thlIltu Sub, hiiu dloo w itdiii
whether this diversion of Indian
land 70 white mans uses results in
good or harm to the occupants Of
the territory. But the inquiry
cannot be limited to these points.
AS the committee pursues its in
vestigations, matters of more ex-
tended bearing will be brought
before its notice. We are told
that the questions Of the sale of a
portion of the Indian lands is in
troduced and creates warm discus
sion. Opposition to this hazardous
proceeding is stoutly maintained,
but the more il is debated the
greater strength il develops.
"This is the crucial question
that perplexes the councils of
Indian statesmen. II is regarded
by conservative minds as a sort Of
playing with fire-a willingness to
let the lion in TO see If the savage
brute can be turned out again.
Past experience has shown that
the two races cannot live together
in peace and concord. The ag.
gressive white settler will trespass
on the rights ofhis weaker brother;
the latter resorts to violence for
redress, this calls for the inter-
vention Of the government, and
after war has arbitrated the matter
in dispute, the red warrior finds
himself subject to superior force,
and compelled 10 accept such
terms as the interest and cupidity
of the dominant race may dictate.
Every as tion Of its rights by the
red race has met with ultimate de-
feat and a crowding backward
toward the setting sun, until the
last home of the red man seems
now TO have been reached, and
here he must maintain his ground
inviolate from the footsteps Of the
spoiler.
"This sounds well as a general
proposition, and is attractive to
the timid among the aborigines,
the sentimental and the feeble
minded. But the logic of events
shows that such n policy is an an
achronism. 1t is not fitted to the
condition of things that now pre-
walls. The early treaties which
ceded the territory to the suthern
tribes of Indians were made, and
confirmed by congress, at a time
when it was supposed the remote
region to which they we're assigned
would never come in the way of
the paleface. 1t was stipulated
that they should have undisturbed
possession of their new homes as
long as grass grows and water runs,
and that the lines Of no state or
territory should ever be run about
their borders. But after the lapse
of half a century they find them
selves hemmed in on the north
and the south by populous and
growing states, and a restless
element crowding over their boun-
daries, who can hardly be restrined
by the carbines Of colored troopers.
"This is the actual state Of
things, and it is gratifying to learn
there is sense enough in the Indian
mind to know that it has to be met.
Principal Chief Bushyhead, of the
Cherokees, favors the sale OF the
surplus lands; and Chief Perryman,
of the Creeks. supports the same
policy. These representative In
dians may be influenced by a
variety of considerations. They
know that while the tribal relation
undisturbed, and the full
bloods herd together as in past
times, there will be no progress,
and the time that shall throw them
on their own resources, when it
does arrive will catch them unpre-
pared. For years past a good
share Of the revenues Of the five
great nations has been devoted to
the support Of delegations sent TO
Washington TO defeat hostile legis-
lation, until this fighting the battle
at distance has grown TO be a
vested interest. To support these
windy and easeloving patriots, the
schools and other progressive
agencies are impoverished, and the
fight still continues. II is appsr-
ent to every man that these civil
lied tribes, with their churches,
school houses, law courts and leg
islative bodies, should be ft to
assume the duties Of citizenship,
and hold their own against all
Ifthey are not capa-
BILE Of doing this, it is evident
there is no room for them in the
broad folds Of civilization, and the