Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1885-11-12

10 ] grave QutbliOu VI nVW tAiu OJ Muh|
( method claims for citizenship are
5 to be decided. Such claims may
5 be divided into two classes, viz
! those of persons who allege ability
{ to prove former membership that
I has never been forfeited, but only
suspended and of freedmen who
, belong to the class described by
I the treaty of 1866 as being vested
with all the rights Of native Cher.
} okees." The right OF native
! Cherokee may be defined to be the
} right to the privileges and emolu-
! ments Of full citizenship in this ma
ton, held under the restrictions and
conditions which native Cherokoes
7 imposed upon themselves in the
constitution Of their nation. Let
us place this matter in true and
, definite light. 1t is a fact that
the question Of the right of an in
dividual TO share in the ownership
of the monies and property Of this
nation-held as they are in COM
mon is a question Of his right to
Cherokee citizenship, and rice
uersd. So far as the right to vote,
hold Office and the like under our
government is concerned, the
United States cannot possibly have
the least concern in the settlement
of Cherokee citizenship. But this
nation holds large landed estate
by double grant of the general gov
eminent. The government made
this grant and testified its intention
at the time to make it perpetual,
and has pledged its power TO pro.
tect it to the nation as a corpora
ton, and TO the individuals who
compose it Hence proceeds the
interest and responsibility which
the question of who are citizens
must arouse in the United States
government. For it is bound to
protect the nation and its genuine
citizens from the trespass of open
intruders and fraudulent claimants,
as well as to secure and protect all
who are rightfully entitled to men,
bership, in their just proportion of
the rights and benefits of the grant
made to tho nation.
But the grant being made both
by treaty and by patent, this ma
tion has the right 10 claim the
protection that is expressly or i'm
pliedly guaranteed by each mode of
conveyance; and, If one method of
protection shall fail to answer the
purpose, to apply for the other.
Congress, after authorizing the
conveyance to this nation by pat
ent, may very well be solicited to
give the grant due effect by en-
powering this nation to use the |
patent as evidence, and by author
izing the judicial branch to hear
and determine all complaints and
petitions for redress, set up either
by the nation on the guarantees of
the patent, or by individuals, for
recognition as members of the ma
ton. l recommend the reference
as soon as possible of the entire
question, with all of its branches,
to a competent joint committee of
your honorable bodies, with in
structions TO devise and recommend
measures for your adoption.
ROADS.
In every country exchange of
products must largely depend on
the servicability Of the roads. l
think the increase of the products
of this nation will justify the pas
sage of road law adapted to our
condition.
RAILROADS.
The currents Of trade that accu-
mulate from the springs Of human
industry are as resistless in their
course to market as a river is in its
flow to the sea. Add to this fact
the further one that there is no
good reason why they should be a
source of danger or injury to the
lands they pass through, but very
much to the contrary. / urge your
honorable bodies TO take the sub
ject under your most serious con-
sideration, and to take such action
as will conciliate and not antag-
onize the all powerful elements Of
commerce.
MONOPOLY OF IMPROVEMENTS.
1t is well for those greedy citi-
zens who are engaged in monopo-
lizing improvements TO know first
as last that the mere occupation
and use Of any portion of our do
main, large or small, does not vest
any right Of soil whatsoever in the
Although no citizens
right TO his proportional share in
the common domain will be in
creased or decreased by the rapac-
ity of the land grabber, the practice
Is a bad one on account of the
illegal contracts il induces, and
other injurious consequences.
CARRYING DEADLY WEAPONS.
/ recommend the passage of
law that will effectually prevent
he carrying of deadly weapons by
private citizens.
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS.
1t is in my opinion of the greatest
10 every tribe in this
.erritory whether OF not the policy
If parting with land TO the United
States by pieces and slices shall be
pursued west as it was east. am
opposed to such a policy. and have
10 doubt Cherokees all are. am
n favor of, and recommend 10 you
whatever measures it may be nee
,ssary 10 take TO preserve the in
egrity Of this territory as really
md permanently an Indian terri 7
.ory, and whatever steps also that =
nay in your judgement be required