Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1890-03-20


) | believe, however, when we are
offered fair price, it will be wise
to ssll-especially, if in the ar
rangement we can strengthen our
rights--not Of soil, but political
, east Of the ninety-sixth degree. II
ought not to be considered a party
/ question nall should desire the
fairest price possible, and endeay-
or to get it.
What disposition is to be made
of the funds7 | would have no
| objection to the investment Of a
sum sufficient, the interest on
which, together with our present
primary school fund, to be applied
TO the education of our children,
in one or more boarding schools
in which each of the districts--all
the Cherokee speaking class would
by association, readily learn Eng
lish, and many of the English
speaking would thereby learn
Cherokee. The next generation Of
adults would be brought nearer
together in sympathy, language
and interest. All the balance, !
would desire paid per capita
among the people, as hereinafter
indicated 1t is, however, very
important, that several provisions
be incorporated in the articles of
sale.
Judging from my personal ac-
quaintance, think the number Of
white -intermarried- who
claim an interest in our soil other
than that of their wives and chill
dren-insigni6cat. And while |
think we made very poor bar
gain with the Shawnees, | do not
question their right to share with
US. The same may be said of the
children born to the Delawares
since their incorp oration. There
may be question as to the rights
of the older ones. | do not be-
lieve the negro entitled to cent
of our moneys, or to foot of land
In 1865, after the war Of the re-
bellion had ended, and the In
dians that had been involved in !
it, were re-adjusting their relations
with the United States, the Creeks
being the least intelligently repre-.
sented, on the so-called loyal side,
and being more than any Of the
civilized tribes dominated by ne
gre infSleree, ttfe-govsnment took :
advantage Of their wea kness, and |
negotiated the first treaty with |
them, the second article Of which /
is as follows:
"The Creeks hereby covenant
and agree, that henceforth, neith-
or slavery nor involuntary ssrvi-
tude, otherwise than in the pun
ishment of crimes, whereof the
parties have been duly convicted |
in accordance with laws applicable
to all members OF said tribe. shall |
exist in said nation; and in rs much |
as there are among the Greeks
many persons of African descent,
who have no interest in the soil,
it is stipulated that hereafter these
persons, lawfully residing in said |
Creek country, under their laws,
usages, or who have been thus re-
siding in said country, and may re-
turn within one year from the rati-
fcation of this treaty and such 9TH
ers of the same race as may be
permitted by the laws of said ma
ton to settle within the limits of
the jurisdiction of the Greek
nation as citizens (thereoO shall
have and enjoy all the rights and
privileges Of native citizens, incIud-
ing an equal interest in the soil and
national funds, and the laws Of
said nation, shall be equa lily bind
ing upon, and give equal protec-
ton to all such persons, and of all
others of whatsoever race or color
who may be adopted as citizens or
members Of said nation"
1t is only necessary TO compare
the Cherokee and the Greek arti-
cles, in relation to the negro to see
the striking difference between
them and that they do not mean
the same thing. The Cherokee
treaty is as follows;
"Article 9th. The Cherokee ma
tion hereby voluntarily in Feb
ruary, 1868, by an act of their ma
tional council, forever abolished
slavery, hereby covenant and agree
that never hereafter shall either
slavery or involuntary servitude
exist in their nation, otherwise I
than for punishment of crime,
whereof the party shall have been
duly convicted in accordance with
laws applicable to all members of
said tribe alike. They further
agree that all freedmen who have
been liberated by voluntary acts
of their former owners or by law,
as well as all free colored persons
who were in the country at the
commencement of the rebellion,
and are now resident therein, or