Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1886-11-11


ters yet to be explained. How
such cursory survey, as the term
indicates, can aid in cqualizing the
use of the public domain, as to a
definite quantity to be used free
and so much to be paid for in the
shape of tax, bigger explanation
is needed. In such an arrange
ment there is but little more, if
any, protection against the abuse
complained ofin the monopoly of
Improvements, because such a sur
vey will be so indefinite as to the
number Of acres each one is law
fully entitled e to be used free or
otherwise, that those who are dis
posed to do so can and would
abuse the privilege. To make
effective such an undertaking an
actual survey into townships, sec
tions and quarter sections, would
be necessary. A geological survey
would be necessary, in carrying out
this arrangement, to fix the locali-
ties of minerals and of other natural
products not common to the entire
country, so that a difference of
values can be equalized by a tax.
Out of such an arrangement a
long train of complications, not
less serious than those now, the
aim is to aid ourselves of, and of
Objectionable consequences. by rea-
son of the uses to which one would
have the right to put a purchased
privilege, is bound to come. When
carefully looked into no one will
fail to see what n change of rela-
tions is involved in this considera-
ton, if such restrictions to be
strenuously enforced, are not pro
vided for. Too great or too many
of such would defeat in part, at
least, the object aimed at, and too
little would result in a condition of
affairs as bad as, if not worse than,
those that are now complained of.
That the reader may Judge for
himself that part Of the message is
quoted below.
The next important subject
treated of is
CITIZENSHIP.
He says there are two widely
different classes of petitioners for
citizenship--the negroes who de-
mand it as a treaty right, and those
who seek it as a favor. "Those"
must refer to such as are Cherokees
by blood or descent as will be seen
from the following extract;
There is a substantial difference
between the status, both to the
Cherokee nation and the United
States, Of these two classes. The
colored are claimants" indeed
they ask simply justice, if they
come within the provisions of the
treaty, and no favor. They demand
to be acknowledged as already
citizens by virtue of treaty guaran-
tees which both parties to the
treaty are equally bound to see en-
forced. The other class of petit
TONERS for citizenship cannot be
called "claimants" in the proper
sense Of the term, since no pledge
of treaty guarantees them the right
of citizenship. They are simply
for a favor which the
Cherokee constitution empowers
the National council to grant or re-
fuse at its discretion. The first
mentioned, the "colored claim
ants" must be acknowledged or
denied, as the case may be, by
both parties to the treaty, making
a joint commission necessary as
proposed.
The second class, composed of
former citizens who have forfeited
their rights as such, either by TAX
ing reservations under the treaty,
thus deliberately severing all con-
nection with the Cherokee nation,
or by voluntarily abandoning their
rights under Art. /, Sec. 2 Of the
constitution which governed them,
and composed also of persons
seeking the privilege by virtue of
alleged Cherokee blood, must sub
nit their memorials solely to the
National council as provided in our
constitution.
1t is clear that the colored claim
mt has a superior right to citizen
ship in our nation than any
Cherokee who has absented him
self for business or pleasure, leay-
ng no tenure behind him by which
le can assume his rights in the
country on his return. 1t is much
rs said that we must accept the !
claimant and reject a
Cherokee if we want to. He may
De right, but il is hard TO rid ones |
self Of the conviction that the case |
IF a claimant, whose plea is Cher !
)kee blood, ought TO turn on |
he fact of what he really is, and |
lot upon any captious disposition
,f the national council. He should |
,e tried just as one charged Of a |
criminal offense against our laws. |
For the Cherokees of North |
;arolina, a very good recommenda-
ion is offered. That all iull bloods
md those not less than half breeds
Who shall be regarded as such by
commission 10 be sent for that
shall, on their arrival, be
Omitted as citizens, is fair
but why should not
uch Cherokees be admitted With