Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1889-10-03

title TO the strip lands have, in
stead OF producing anything salts
factory, made more evident the ne.
cessity for bringing forward other
and better reasons for setting
aside such title. Had satisfactory
results been reached through all
the shameful, ridiculous, and il.
many instances, villainous excuses
resorted to to establish the incom-
plcteness Of the title, the question
Of unsoundness would have
settled into conviction and con-
dition Of rest long ago. From the
almost incessant labor Ct the out
side press, Of demagogues and ca
terers at political feasts to discover
some lawful excuse for declaring
the title void, nothing satisfactory
has stepped forth and with avert
ed face and backward toss of a
robe covered up the nakednoss OF
the contemplated outrage. The
situation is no better than the actu-
al commission Of an atrocious
crime Of which no manner Of rea-
soning or plea of extenuation can
find a conscientious self-acquittal.
Necessity may demand its supply,
and upon this theory some justifi-
cation may be found, but it seems
that between greed and a sense Of
right a satisfactory equivalent for
what is wanted is out of the ques-
tion.
The Cherokees have not been Of
fered any inducement to part with
their title to the strip lands, either
for fair valuation or any possible
gain over the present possession
and use Of the lands. The effort
is not to reconcile them TO ces-
sion of the lands by offering fair
price for them, or by obligations of
greater or more peaceful security
in all their remaining rights and
pc ss;ons, but to annoy, to in
timidate, to undervalue rights and
security, to insult by insinuations
of folly, ignorance and social in
equality, bitterness, insignificance
and the contrast Of power to take
at pleasure, to annihilate by a
breath the Indian nations. Never
since "thus sayeth the Lord" was
authority for the slaughter of ma
tions and the seizure of their prop
erty, were lamer reasons offered to
excuse a contemplated Outrage.
Quoted as sufficient reason for
declaring that the Cherokees have
noaight to the soil of the outlet is
the Ritter Of Mr.. Calhoun whilo
secretary, who in 1921 so express
ed himself in relation to the char
acter of the right the Cherokees
had or would have to the outlet.
Whatever significance this letter
may have had at the time, no one
but a fool or knave would at
tempt TO prove that il was not sus-
ceptible Of modification or entire
abandonment TO accomplish GER
tain purposes at some time long
subsequent TO the date Of the let
ter. That such was the case no
better proof is needed than the
treaty Of 1885 and all treaties of
later date. Whatever may have
been Mr.. Calhoun's policy at that
time, as secretary, in relation TO
the strip, it never had the effect of
law and cannot be quoted as such.
The intention ofas great states
man and official as was Mr.. Cal
houn when he uttered this senti-
ment, cannot be claimed as that of
the subsequent authority who in
exchange for Cherokee lands east
of the Mississippi, lands now claim
ed by them and for which they
hold patent. II such a reserva-
lion had been intended, no patent,
including, as a part and par
eel of the exchanged lands, the
outlet, would have been given, and
a provision, setting forth the stat
us Of the lands to that effect, would
certainly have been inserted.
The government of the United
States never deals in innuendoes
as to its intentions or policies. 1t
cannot afford to do so or be deceit
full in anything. 1t is just big
enough and strong enough TO do
what it wants to do without any
resort TO eowardly subterfuges.
This was its condition when it
promised to grant and did
grant patent including the outlet
as lands Of the Cherokee nation