Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1889-10-24

ell and pflntlpAl elilti rlbn'" "
the construction Of the treaty Of
1866 by the national council, and
tho construction Of the several
parts OF said treaty was formerly
ratified 10y a eonyention oflhe peo'
nle AS permanent amendments 70
our constitution. or these amend.
ments, See. 9th, page 81 complied
laws, adds to "aatipe born Chero.
kees. who had alone composed
the nation before that time, three
other classes Of persons, making
them all citizens OF the nation
aliko-colored, liberated persons
Of specified classes, ,whitesby adop'
tion, and Indians by adoption
OF these the colored class
ard Indians settled east OF W do
greos have all the rights Of native
Cherokees by operation OF the ma
tion's treaty. Other Indians by
adoption and whites legally adopt
cd are joined with the others
named aud made citizens by The
constitution. * n 4 y
If the lands Of the nation were and
are the common property OF cill'
Gems, then no citizen can be deprly-
ed Of his or her right, and inter
est in the property without doing
an Injustice and without viola
ton Of the constitution which we
are all equally bound to observe
and defend. While the landsgemain
common property all citizens have
an equal right to the use OF 1t.
When any Of the land is sold un-
der provisions of treaty all citi'
zens have an equal right to the
proceeds of their joint property
whether divided per capita or IN
vested.
Senators, such is the treaty, and
such is the constitution. ! have
referred you to them, and stated
their evident incoming in the prem
ises "to the best Of my ability" as
is my duty. To the classes OF elti-
zensthis bill would exclude attach
"all the rights and privileges OF
citizenship according to the consti-
tuition y TO three Of these class
es attach also the rights OF "natlue
! Cherokess" according to treaty.
Ii may be said BY some that the
act of congress, making the appro.
priation, authorizes you to direct
the expenditures Of the money as
the council shall see proper. But
the council will certainly not see
proper to give to one citizen any
thing that belongs TO another con-
trary to the constitution and the
obligations of the council not TO
pass any such law Irefer to Sec,
IA, page 18th, complied laws OF
the Cherokee nation consistent
with your primary obligations to
observe treaty and defend the
constitution, you are authorized %
direct how this money shall be ex,
pended-not otherwise. 1t would
be but mockery, if not worse, iol
any one to contend that congress
would, or could, absolye the OH
J GERS Of This government from thel'
duties and their trust. Such
principle would be fatal TO ou
government if once adopted II
: practice.
For the abo We reasons, 70
spectfully return the bill in ques
! ton for your reconsideration.
Very respectfully,
d. W. BUsHYnEAD,
Principal Chief.
This message Of Mr., Busyhea
was endorsed by committee Q
! the Cherokee senate, Hon. Johl
g Schrimsher and c. V. Rogers,
= think, among others being mem
: bers Of such committee.
: So, Mr.. Editor, it will be see
a that for once, ! have the supper
e of distinguished and leading citi
l. zens Of the Cherokee nation, in on
!. position at least, that | have t.
Il ken respecting Cherokee politics
: In my opinion, all adopted cit
9 zens Of the Cherokee nation hay
D. the same rights and interests
/ the lands and moneys Of Il
ii Cherokee nation as Cherokees |
$, blood; and the sooner the Cher
d kee council recognizes this fact Il
a better for all. +. G. BouDlNor.