Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1886-03-25
ALLOTNENT

From present indications it does
seem that the allotment of lands in
severalty is going to be forced on
the Indians whether or no. 1t
seems too that we are going to be
forced to it on terms not oar own;
that VIC are going to be forced to
take so much per head and then
forced to sell the remainder to
United States citizens at certain
price, all because we have more
land than we need, they say.
That all Indians are opposed to
allotment is not true, but that all
are opposed to allotment on a die
tated plan by which they are forced
to sell that which is in every legal
and moral sense their own, at a
price in which they have no voice
and which is very far below the
true valuation, that all Indians are
opposed TO such swindling and
wickedness in high places, as this,
no one will for a moment doubt.
Who would not be? "In God we
trust" is written upon the United
States coin, but in the same "good
book" where we learn to trust in
God, we are told to "Trust in the
lord and do good" and it is rea.
sonablc to suppose thatit means to
do good even to the Indians.
We cannot think that the moral
sentiment of the United States gov
ernment and people is so corrupt
and so dead to the feelings and
sense Of justice, that a law will be
enacted and executed, that will do
such gross injustice to a people who
have already submitted to repeated
acts of injustice.
VIII God-fearing and humanity
loving people countenance such
robbery; for such it would be? If
such is done what will become Of
the pledges Of this great United
States government-pledges sol
emnly made to a weak and help
less, and in many respects an ig-
norant peopleG Can the great gov
eminent Of the United States that
makes the boast of being one OF the
greatest governments under the
sun; great intellectually, great re-
ligio usly and great in material
wealth? Can this government
stoop so low as TO listen TO the few
Shylocks in and around the Indian
reservation, his last home, his own,
we say can this great government
help these robbers in their purpose
to take that which truly belongs to
the Indian and appropriate it TO
the greed of an avarice that will
never DC satisfed2
If allotment must be made for
the good of all concerned, pray let
the Indians do it themselves and
let them have and keep all that is
their own, disposing Of it when
they please and at whatever price
they can get, only in such cases
where II Is thought best TO make it
inalicnable for the protection Of the
less civilized. l would here say
to the Cherokees, the tribe TO which
| belong and the tribe which stands
in the foremost rank and is con-
sidered and justly 50 suppose the
most civilized and intelligent and
We think not nuch behind any
body else, especially in Arkansas,
Missouri, Kansas ETC., ! say let US,
though il may be not exactly TO
our liking, let us proceed as early
as possible and do our own allOt-
ting ia our own way and not have
il forced upon us according to some
one else's Nay. Do lhis and ! am
yet Of the opinion that the United
States government vii recognize
our work md give b each indiyld-
gnl a patent foF what falis 70 him,
However naoh ihe idea II hold.
lpf ahe Land la popmQn may he|