The Forrest City times., 1892-01-22
OUR LOST TERRITORY.
MT. Iverson A. Jones Makes strong Ar. gument for Immediate Action to Re- cover tho Rich Tract Taken From
 Arkansas in 1898.


 cover tho Rich Tract Taken From
 Arkansas in 1898.
 GRAssLEAF FARM. BOONE O., ARK,
 January IS, 1892. ! Editor Arkansas Democrat,
 wish, in an especial manner, to thank the Democrat for it's wise and opportune words in regard to the ex- tension of our state line to the position set for it by act of congress ln 1924. The treaty of 1928, made by the war department of our government with the Cherokee Indians, by which the territory of Arkansas was deprived of a strip forty miles in width by nearly 800 miles in length along it's western boundary, was an outrage unparalleled in the history of legislation. It was squarely in the teeth of an memorable constitutional interdict. The treaty absolutely repealed law of congress that was passed so clearly in domain of the legislative department of the fed sral government that it had never be- fore that time been questioned, and never has been since. Our proximity to the territory has given us a member of the committee on Indian affairs for q long series Of years, but absolutely nothing has been done to assert the rightful dominion of that fair land-a land above all others
 .sWhere every prospect pIeases,
 And only man Is vile."
 Now is the accepted time, the oppor- tunity, the golden time to recover that | fertile soil. So far as we know MT. Peel has done nothing to enlighten tho country as to the great wrong perpe- trated on Arkansas in 1928.
 He has allowed two purchases to be made in prejudice of our just claim, without opening his mouth for Arkan- sas. I have spent nineteen years of my life in gathering all the published facts in regard to the Indian policies of our own government, Canada and
 Mexico in regard to the Indian prob lem, and do not hesitate to deliber- ately affirm that We are infinitely be- hind sleepy old Mexico in this regard.
 It is my matured opinion that all our members in both branches of congress should make our right to that part of the territory in question take prece- dence to the confirming by law of the | I ask that Little Rock, Fort Smith, and in fact all municipal authorities in | Arkansas take efficient official meas ures to arouse Mir. Peel to the grave | and responsible duties that devOlve up- on him in consequence of his official | position. The opening up of all the Indian Territory is question Of great importance, and one which earnestly | desire. But to us the extension of the l states rightful domain over the strip that was illegally and uncOnstitutiOn- ally taken from us in 1928, infinitely | Outweighs that and all other kindred questions. Our claim is so just and so clear that success would De bound to crown efficient action on the part of our delegation in congress. The first
 proper step would be to enact law making it the duty of the government | to extinguish by purchase at liberal sum the Indian title to 12,00O square miles and then extend the state line to cover that area. For such action
 precedents are thick, numerous and conspicuous. The federal government
 has extinguished the Indian titles to $500, 900 acres in Georgia, l5, ,750 900 in
 Mississippi, 15,O0O,O00 in Illinois and
 Indiana, 1000, 900 in Michigan, in Flor ida 4,OOO 900, in Alabama 75,00c, 900,
 aud in Missouri 2.75O,O For all
 these acres $90 GOO 900 were paid to the
 Indians, and the dominion of the states in every instance was extended over | the abandoned and purchased territory.
 In 1886 the federal government ex- tended the line of Missouri over Indian
 territory equal in extent to the state | of Delaware-that, too, was an exten-
 sion de noyo. It was done reeardless | of the fact that Missouri was much the largest state in the union, done regard
 less of the Missouri Compromise that
 prohibited slavery in that territory, done regardless of the fact that it (the
 acres) had recently been ceded to the Indians in perpetuity, done regardless of the fact that large party ut the North was earnestly opposed tOithe ad- dition of a single inch of slave terri | tory to the union. All these fOrmid- able obstacles were met and overcome | by old Tom Benton and Dr. Linn, but chiefly through the untiring efforts of the latter, whose gentle manner em- | inently fitted him for the difficult task of consolidating Northern votes. Surely ! in cause so just Mir. Peel cannot fail of success. But the entire press of the state should hold up his hands in every wise direction.
 It is his bounden duty to lead off in . | direction to emphasize the justness of our cause. He should be urged, by all l the means at our command, to go to the cities of New York, Philadelphia. Baltimore. Chicago, Cincinnati and Boston and speak with learning, dig nity and honor on the subject; also to write an article for the North Amer | ican Review and several of the great daily papers, thus enlightening and preparing the country for the law. | It is seldom that such an opportunity to benefit his people falls to the lot of | any congressman. Let us hope that he will rise equal to the occasion. hope that Fort Smith and Van Buren will take the proper steps in the matter. The extension of our state line to where it was in 1928 would make of them the finest cities in the cotton states. l here call upon the entire press of the state to press this question and hold it to the front in a manner to compel attention. Should this district commission me as her representative | in congress will make it my life work to recover for my state that 1 love 30 we'll every acre of that fair land. I hope the Democrat will continue the good work so wisely and bravely be- l gun. INVERSION A. JONES.