Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1892-01-07

ment his patriotism. lie believed
the title to the Strip was in the
Cherokee nation in fee simple, and
this belief he fortified by facts, up-
held with reason and the law of
the case, and his last message, in
which he deraigned the Cherokee
title will be monument TO his
memory that will live for all time,
and be as enduring as marble or
brass. II sounded clear, like a
trumpet call to freedom. IL was
the political Joshua 1t may be
suppressed by negotiation, il may
be bent to meet the temporary ex-
ped ents of the hour, but ii has not
been and will not be answered and
out of the grave itself il will speak,
to the dismay of towards, TO the
shame of the time servitors
among his own people, and will
stand as a menace, more terrible
than "A two-edged sword to the re-
lentIess land sharks, who would
snatch this goodly heritage from
people, whose greatest crime
seems to be, that through the
grand old chief, they have seen
their rights and dared to maintain
them Measured Alright, who can
estimate the value OF such an IN
stance OF public spirit. Martyrs
to principle have flourlshed in all
the ages, and in the passes of this
world there is more than one
Thermopylae and more than one
Leonidas, and il the Cherokee ma
ton has produced but one, that
one is Joel b. Mayes, Of the Cher
okee nation, blowing the rams
horn of defiance that tumbled into
ruins the proud Jericho Of federal
usurpation, who for more than
2 years in defense Of his country
and IN the preservation OF her
muniments to her soil, has fought
literally as did Leonidas, in the
very shade OF the darts of his enc
my, which by their very numbers
obseurcd the sun of honor and Of
truth, and Of whom can it more
truly be said, "he tell like
martyr and died at his post "
He held many Offices during
his life, and held them all as if-a
public office was public trust
No well founded charge Of bribery
in this age of corruption stains his
official career, and even the en-
venomed tongue Oh malice will not
say that he waxed fat at the pub
lie crib, or lined his pockets with
dishonest pelf wruHg from poor
and conhding people. His private
life was one Of democratic sim
plicity, without show, ostenta,ion
or parade He believed the earth
was our common mother, and
around its ample board each of
her children could gather an equal,
the peer Of the other
His last message to the council
was a pathetic, simple and elo-
quent plea ia behalf of the North
Carolina Cherokees, to whom he
extended the hand Of welcome.
them a share in common
palrimony, which, men like him
self, for half dozen decades had
protected and defended He wa,
loyal to the whole Cherokee peo.
pie, and wherever the lot of one of
his tribe may be cast, he will
pause at the announcement ut his !
death, and drop tear of un.
feigned regret To his memory.
Joel b. Maycs had the mind |
and build Of a statesman lie im-
pressed those who came into hi, |
presence wilh the idea that he was |
not mere ''stulled prophet - but
that he was a man who had con.
viciions aul lhe courage TO assert /
and defend them A gentleman |
wcli iitted To decide, who heard |
his speeches m hi, last canvass 1
tor the chiettaincy, told the |
that they had the ring Of |
.he oldeu time, and were full of /
common sense, patriotism and /
conservatism, ,aud rose Ia ovation
)i sentiment above the low level
ll the ordinary u,tcrances of the
partisan and demagogue that too
)iten disgrace the public hu-iings.
certainly his messages are admir-
ible state papers, clear. concise
md able, and they may be refer
'cd to by the historian Of his peo-
pie as repositories ol their wealth, /
'esources and growth, aud As ad
nirable political textbooks Of cur
'ent men and things
catering upon the chieflaiucy
when faction was i'm the ascendant
md interneciual tcuds shook the
]herokee nation, hc boldly took
he helm of affairs aud his master
plrlt soon brought order out OF
haos, aud the waves OF discomfort I
we're lulled to repose in the pres
nee OF one born to rule. He took
harge OF the old ship of state, and
walked its deck like mig hit,
liking, or some great captain OF
ommanding port, and all CON
clons OF the superiority of his
euius and the supremacy of his
he stood ready, waiting
Or the final order OF the High
admiral Of his fleet, TO weigh It's
asst anchor, TO push its advent
ress prov iuto those unknown
'aters, whose restless tides beat
nd break against times iarthest
hores, and striking his aag to no
ear, to sail with his God o'er all
he seas.
We have said in the outset of
MS tribute, that he held many Of
ces, and it can be said OF him as
as said OF Lysander. that the
igh offices be gained were with
lnsent Of the people, aud many
them We're 50 obtained when the {
of his c,ttr,frr ,V.e IL, .