Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1891-03-12


distributing our moneys, in the
Jurisdiction and decisionN Of our
courts. The United States courts
are in our midst; the Arkansas laws
prevail, exercising both criminal
and civil jurisdiction over us, even
where both parties are Indians; u
S. citizens are administering on the
estates Of Indians; monopoly of
land continues; the railroads are
laying. their iron and driving their
surveying pegs in every direction
through our country; our popula-
ton is increasing every day by
claimants being admitted by ont
side courts; our intruders increase
and remain--not one has ever been
put out. According to U. S. cen,
sus reports we have 27 900 whites
and only 25,000 Indians in the
Cherokee Nation and still they are
coming; our country is being in
vaded by large herds of Spanish
cattle, destroying the stock-grow-
ing interests Of the country; our
citizens are being depressed; class
legislation is raising strife and con-
fusion among us; we are divided
among ourselves; a part of our citi-
zens are appealing to the govern
ment for protection against our
acts toward them; some petitioning
the U. S. government for protec-
tion of property, some for their in
terest OF money and land, some are
applying to become citizens Of the
United States aud strife and con-
fusion prevails all over our land
While we are fighting among our.
selves, with our party horns locked,
the U. S. government is pursuing
the one straight course and tight.
ening the screws of construction on
our treaties every day, reminding
us of our wardship and of her ad.
ministrative powers and guardian
ship over us, all in the face of our
protests, appeals and presumpt-
ions of our independent sovereign
ity. We are being martyred on
every hand. both inside and out
Then is it not plain enough to be
seen that we cannot long exist un-
der the circumstances? Then let
us be honest and admit the true
condition and let us get together
ard make the best Of ii we can. In
order to do this must we not lay
aside our little party fights and
preiudices2 Let them he thing
OF the past and III Us come together
as one people, with one purpose in
view-to secure our interest and
the interest of our children against
the rayages of the times. 1t is
plain to be seen that We need a
change and must have it, or we are
gone. Then let the people get to-
gether and exchange ideas and talk
over the situation; talk it in your
homes, on your streets, with your
Discuss it III your ca
toowa and Alliance meetings; write
10 your papers and il you cant
write get your neighbor to write;
give your ideas; read and study the
IDEAS of others and interpret it TO
your Indian neighbors. Let US
hear from all thinking and writing
men on this important question.
As the ideas of but one man, !
will say that, viewing the whole
situation | have been forced to the
,1aS ,P1@elnsi9p I7 prsD,svs shss EAT N.
lucements-our general funds and /
our common land tide First, call
upon the govEnment to settle or
assist us in settling the status OF
III our different citizeas -Dela-
wares, Shawnees, whites and col
,red. Then insist upon congress
law with sufficient peu-
llty attached to force the case OF
avery claimant to a speedy and
iEal termination and then expel
,@aAA1- -tha natinl- every intruder
the nation to have counsel
It the hearing of each case Then
,all upon the government TO sur
'ey into sections the whole OF our
ands east Of ninety-six, according
0 treaty, thus saving the nation
he enormous expense of survey
ng. Then classify, allot and indi-
'idualize the whole of it to our
'itizens, thus removing one of'the
Ireat inducements spoken Of AM .
he pressure from the outside wfi /
ease. Then dispose Of our LANDED I
interest west at the best proposi- /
ion the government will make US.
At the low price Of sl25 per acre 1
hat tract will bring 81 ,529, Az 60. 1
The amount claimed by the gov
against those lands is
s679, $50, which has been paiG to
he CheFokees as follows ( By act
IF June 16, 1880, 100000. by act
IF March 3,18S3, $500 COZ (ihese
lre the two payment l35lpr1SSl
and 1889 by act Oct 3er a 1870.
ior freedmen, Delay sauR hav
lees, S75, ,0o0; by act Mafsa1 lsdg.
5000 for the Wallace c4urt.~- De
lucting this s679, ,7SO from s7,52S,-"
l42 .63, leaves us So, ,S48,662 90; ad.
ling this to our general fund Of
81 1893, $40 46, gives US the sum of
sS, ,247, ,6l2.09. Deducting from this
amount sufficient togsupport our
schools, when put at Interest, and
10 pay our home debts-say about
5000, 600 - leaves faea47 6l2O2,
which paid out to OUT whole popu-
alton Of %, 700 would give to each
about s2SO-if not paid to all it
would be more. To every adult
give him or her theland and money
lue; let the mindrs money remain
N the hands Of the q, S. govern
nqnt at iuteragtsr mako gua nav