Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1891-09-03
NINE YEARS OLD.

since THE CHIEFTAIN first saw the
light of day. To-day is the ninth
anniversary of its birthday
With few exceptions it has
made its appearance bright
and early every Thursday morning
during all that time. Through
storm and sunshine; through evil
as well as good report. AT first
only read by small circle OF
friends in our own country, it now
spreads its wings and flies away TO
almost every state and territory in
the great union. Its growth, like
the Advancement of the Cherokees,
has been at once peculiar and
phenomenal. Its files form COM
plete resume Of the history
Of the Cherokee Nation for the
current period Of its existence,
which embraces the most import
ant and exciting decade in the
history of the Cherokees. 1t has
and is taking part in the discus
sion of the most stupendous and
far-reaching questions that have
ever agitated the Cherokee people.
And starting out upon its tenth
year amid the turbulence and un-
rest of the times, it feels that its
destiny and that Of its people are
one and the same. The nations
veal or woe, is its veal or woe.
During the present year its man
agement has seen fit to sever its
co INJECTIONS with all political
parties, believing that its useful
ness as a newspaper could be bet
ter maintained entirely independ-
ent of partisan politics, and
preferrlng to be an advocate OF
popular rights than subject itself
to the caprices Of party bosses and
hamper its opinions by the re-
straint ofparty fealty when the 'ins
and outs" Of Office were the only
issues allowed to come before the
people. We are glad to say
to its readersy, that while it
has made some enemies, the great
mass of the people have approved
its course, and to-day its prospects
are brighter than ever before. We
hope soon to be able to enlarge it
to nearly twice its present size or
make it an "all home print" paper,
and thus give room for the many
excellent communications and
much interesting correspondence
that under the present arrange
ment we have been forced to ex-
clude, very much against our will.
The immediate future of this
nation will be the most momen-
to us of any period in all its varied |
and checkered career. Great |
changes must necessarily be made |
in its management in order to pro-
tect its great interests and privi
leges from abuse and from outside
influences that threaten its very |
existence. The settlement Of the
Strip question is the most import
ant and far-reaching of all the
problems that confront us at
present. Even now all eyes are
turned upon the Outlet. The
United States government threat
ems, by ruthless hand, to forcibly
take it from us. The Strip COM
prises more than half of what was
on ce thouhgt to be princeiy in
heritance. The selling Of the Out
let or giving it up on any terms,
means homeless posterity for the
Cherokee people. Immediate and
con certed action should be the
watch-word Of every citizen, and
that fertile tract of our common
heritage preserved at all hazards.
This, with the allotment OF the
home tract, ways and means of
defraying the expenses of govern
ment, will occupy the attention Of
the Cherokees in the immediate
future.
THE CHIEFTAIN on entering its
tenth year desires to express its
gratitude to those who have so
generously supported it in this
and former years. 1t renews its
hdility to right and justice, and
with its improved and enlarged
j