Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1888-01-19
A FEDERAL aovnRNMRNT.
a Correspondent who Favors the
Scheme With Some Objections.
cnErorA. KANs.. Innnnry ON. 1sss.

| EDITOR OlilEFTAlN In response
to the invitation of the CnIEFrAiN
TO write upon the coming crisis of
our nation, i. e., the adoption Of n
Federal Government, | would say,
having a deep interest in the well
fare Of our nation, that feel salts
fed that if we could have a Fed
eral Government over our nation
it would be by ias the greatest bles-
sing ever bestowed upon our race
by the Great Father. And this
for several reasons. The Cherokee
nation being composed of several
races of men, but courts and Off
GERS chosen generally from one
tribe are naturally prone to be par
tial with verdict, in adjudicating
differences before them. Now, by
a Federal court, this disast rous
partiality would be obviated and
all citizens, whether native or
adopted, would stand an equal
chance in court. Adopted citizens
would then feel that they had pro-
lection for both their life and prop
erty. Now, this would be am un-
speakable satisfaction to all adopt
ed people, which our most de-
vout and thoughtful men acknowl-
edge. The Cherokee nation is
composed largely of adopted citi-
zens and our advancement largely
attributed to the adoption Of good
men among US. Now, | esteem
this one advantage as Of paramount
importance to even the whole five
civilized nations. But there are
other advantages accruing from
our adoption as United States citi-
zens, providing the bills Congress
passes for our ratification are real
ly drawn up in our behalf and real
ly beneficial 70 US. But they can
and are very liable to gag US with
some proposition wholly uncon-
genial TO our nature and try to
force upon US n proposition
which we viii scringc to endorse.
But the bills are already framed
and before the committee and it is
rumored that we must accept or
take the alternative of turning in
upon US all the scum of earth to
harass our lives and destroy our
property, or things similar in ef-
feet. Now. could we have the
framing of those bills, the value of
a Federal Government would be |
doubly enhanced. They propose
to allot the whole territory in sew
crafty, pro rata. This would be .
right so far, but they add "citizens ,
by blood" " cutting out Of existence |
those who are so unfortunate as to /
be born white, or adopted, and /
whose influence has been of inesti- /
mable value to both the Cherokees /
and other tribes in both intellectual /
and agricultural advancements.
But this is not all. They propose .
that VIC slall not sell any Of the 4
land for a term of years. Now,
it inalienable for a term of
years is another very damaging
and crippling feature in the pro-
posed legislation, for it would tend
10 keep our country back, the same
as. at present, for many-cven a
arge per cent. Of our people-are
poor and helpless and to simply !
nave a patent in our hand, with no
money to improve or stock it,
would do us no more good than
hat much of the Atlantic ocean.
But, let each one sell, say all but
go or 200 acres and retain that,
ay for at least 10, l5, or 20 years.
Converting part Of our land into
money we can improve the other
,art, besides the tracts sold will be
improved aud thereby enhance the
value Of our own.
But, there arc other advantages o.
higher and far more important
Iature, to.wit: by the settling up
# our thinly populated country
We can have schools right at home,
hurches will be built, towns and
.illages will spring up, postoaices
nd good roads viii be established,
machinery and all the concomit-
mt advantages of modern agrical-
ure will be before our eyes, (and
'e can borrow their machinery,
90, probably plenty ot good I
reeds Of stock around us-all :
ending TO encourage us and facili +.
nte our civilization, as Washing
Dnians would say. / think if
federal Government over our ter {
itory is to be imported, wo GER
linly ought TO have the alterna-
I've Of saying what the terms shall /
e, ifthe government has any re,
pect for It's treaties. Aud if we
ave attained 10 that degree Of nd.