Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1886-06-24
Mr.. BECK no MR. ApA1R.

space for n consideration of J. w.
Adair's communication from q lit
erary standpoint. In the first place
in composition it is absolutely nee
essary to be concise, and accurate,
and exercise unusual carofulness
in making quotations, as well as
the avoidance of misstatcments
and Misrepresentation. There is
nothing like honest discussion,
and when the malice OF individu-
ais runs so high that they seeming
ly and unconsciously digress from
the ordinary rules of grammar,
logic, rhetoric and common sense,
it is high time they throw away
the quill and take hold of some
thing that will have a tendency to
ameliorate such malignity. He
says "piece" from me is hardly
worth noticing, and spells 1t
"piece." "Piece" is defined by
Webster as meaning "to mend, or
patch" but | have never attempt
cd to mend or patch the CHIEFTAIN,
or any communication | ever gave
my signature to publication in it.
1t not being a typographical error,
it certainly must be the error OF
one who knew not its meaning He
also claims in the ridiculous com
munication "that tho nation gave
me what education | have, and
has kept me teaching a colored
school four or five years" What
had such assertions to do with the
discussion of the question of which
he and | held different opinions?
Does he mean by them to reflect
discredit upon the nation for az
fording me the advantage of ac-
quiring an education? If he docs
she dishonored herself by educat-
ing him. Does he think that the
act of teaching a colored school has
anything to do with a national
question in which i honestly be-
lieve that Bill Phillips will enrich
himself seven or eight hundred
thousand dollars? No, no; we do
not see how any sane man can.
He says further my "article is des-
titute of any common sense" |
wonder how came him TO think of
article instead of "piece" with a
little butter on it. If the "piece"
referred to is destitute of any COM
mon sense, why did he not show
where and how it was destitute Of
any common sense, as / am show
ing him now in regard to his own
little "piece" Of common seLse."
He says, "there is a powerful effort
being made to sectionize the coun-
try, and any man who is not q fit
subject for a lunatic asylum that
will stay around Vinita for a half
day cannot deny the fact" This
deviation and commencement of
new subject, from the ironical one
of a few moments ago, is what
rhetoricians are pleased to call
hyperbole. Through the effect of
Imagination or passion, we greatly
exagerate what is founded in truth,
by magnifying the good qualities
of objects we love, and diminish
and degrade the objects we dislike
or envy. Furthermore, what has
Vinita 20 do with the sectioniza-
of our country? The larger por-
ton of its inhabitants arc citizens,
and sectionization would not pc
cuniarily profit any of them. If
he means &c insinuate that Ninita
or its people, OF that even it is be-
ing talked ofin Vinita, he is as us
ual off his "basis." If the Chero-
okee nation would attempt to stop
an effort of sectionization il must
do so when the effort originates in
in the American congress. He
fears we will be absorbed in the
general public and cease as ma
ton. Thus his fears would be well
grounded if they came from diff
ferent direction. 1t is only ques-
tion of time when the Indian race
will be extinct, and their nation
cease to exist forever. Facts are
facts and we we had as well admit
them as to endeavor TO conceal
them from the gaze of our enemies.
Not that 1 favor in the least the
the extinguishing OF the Indian ti-
tie, and the abandonment of their
tribal relations, but that in the ap-
preaching of a storm, that people
may be prepared for it when it
comes, l think every citizen of the
Cherokee nation should know it.
If in advocating such, "Hon. j. II.
Beck" is trying to destroy our gov
ernment, it ought TO be destroyed.
Better let it be destroyed by the
light of truth shining brightly
thereon, than be it destroyed by
the Proclamation of the blackest
ignorance, stupidity and selfihness,
with the attendant, hot-headed,
political advocates. The mantle
that dropped from the shoulders of
Hon. w. z. Adair at his death, as
ex-chief and representative Of the
Cherokee people in the city Of
Washington will never fit young
j. w. Adair on account of mental
deformities and a lack equipoise.
j leave the communications written
by myself and Adair, that an in
telligent and ever scrutinizing
public may pass judgment as to
who is the digressor from the real
question at issue, and which has
been the aggressor in substituting
villainy and maliciousness for an
gument, ever remembering,
Pate never wounds so deep the generous heart
AS when.the bloek-head yields the dart.
"HoN. J. II. BECK"