Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1891-07-09


ual rights and not own them in
common as do the Cherokees to-
day. This | have given you as
one Of the grandest reasons, how
ever little thought OF by the ma.
tives, for an allotment OF our lands.
Can you see anywhere in the
statement of our affairs, a guaran-
tee that the homes and farms now
made and improved will remain
ours as they are to-day? Is it not a
fact that after each council we find
the amount of land per capita re-
duced? And do you find the roll Of
applicants is decreasing or becom-
ing shorter2 We have citizens to-
day in the shape of lawyers who
make the most of their money by
inducing people to believe they are
entitled to Cherokee citizenship;
it's they who enlarge the roll Of
applicants and they who contribute
largely to the moving in of our
fences and thus discourage perma-
nent improvement. The traveller
through our country will ask the
question why it is these people
who seem to be intelligent and who
have rich soil and so much grass,
will content themselves with the
rudest Of improvements. A few
forks in the ground and hay roof
seems to answer for a barn, and in
fact, all the improvements seem to
be temporary. He gets for an ans
swer: these people own their land
in common; it's never been survey
ed even; no man knows exactly
how much is his and he therefore
dislikes to risk very much money
in improving land which he only
owns an interest in. This expla-
nation is satisfactory to him why
our improvements, our homes, do
not present the appearance Of
those in Missouri, Kansas or Tex
as. No difference as to intelligence,
soil or advantages, yet wide diff.
ference in the appearance of farms
and homes and the amount of pro-
lection from the respective gov
ernments.
You are bound to admit that it's
our duty to cultivate the higher
senses and disregard all modes or
styles of living which fail to insure
us that happiness guaranteed to all
industrious and enlightened peo-
pie. Many of us have been In
dians and enjoyed their modes Of
living until we have worn off the
last tint of copper from our skin
and all of us have advanced as far
in the school which instructs US as
to the modes of living and pleas
ures of the life of an Indian as we
can 60. We must now either stand
still or advance to the school next
higher which instructs upon civili-
zation in its highest sense. There
we are taught by practical expert
ence that in order to realize the
true blessings and benefits of home
we must own them in our separate
rights.
| will state as another reason for
an allotment that as a matter of
right each and every citizen of the
Cherokee nation should have and
receive the full benefit of his in
terest in our estate. Fortune has
not smiled upon us all alike; some
are rich and the majority Of us are
poor; those who have wealth have
largely the advantage of the poor
as they can feast upon the lands
owned in common, reap the bene
fits of some and use undoubtedly
more land than would be their pro
rata share. It's a bonanza for the
rich and financial death to the
poor and there will be no remedy
as long as the land is owned in
common; this is a fact you can
never successfully contradict. It's
nice enough to be rich and simply
elegant to be not only rich but to
have code of laws which furnish
unlimited advantages to those who
have cash with which to best turn
the sod and utilize the grass. Some
say the poor man has just as good
a right to the grass and land as
the rich, and if he don't "rustle"
and get his share it's his own
fault. What an empty thought;
how destitute of reason. "Oh, for
a power" etc. Let us suppose our
chief should make a will and he
has a farm of large and valuable
Improvements; one of his children
is wealthy, and the others are un-
fortunate, naturally and financial
ly, and some of them are females.
Would he, i'm his last will and
testament, pass down that old re-
lie of barbarism which insists that
should you divide the land the
tendency would be to divide your
"You must own this farm in COM
mon, hold it in common, as It's
my honest opinion no other sys-
tenn is best; one Of you has as
much right TO it as the other and
if those of you who are poor don't
rustic and cultivate your share
it's your own fault" Would he
say to the females, ''you must use
energy and perseverance or your
brother with his cash will use and .
get more benefits OF this large and
well improved estate than you.
Would he do this, fellowcitizens? |
Would you, if you were in his
placer No, you wouldn't; you
would make provisions in that
will for each child 10 share the
products Of your labor equally; you
would bring about a system Of al