Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1892-06-02

I
connection herewith, can take
away its vested rights thereto,
guaranteed by such treaties = Since
this decision the Executive depart
ment have held that the question
of citizenship was properly under
Cherokee jurisdiction, but in spite
of urgent and continual appeals,
has not taken the necessary steps
to eject these violaters Of law To
remedy this abuse one Of the inn
portant stipulations Of this agree
ment is TO secure action by which
the United States will certainly
fulfil its too long delayed obliga-
tions. This is one Of the impor-
tant reasons Tor making the sale
Its urgent necessity, otherwise,
must be apparent to every candid
man. Senators and members Of
Congress of the United States, and
executive officers continually urge
on our people the necessity Of di-
viding our lands among our peo-
pie. Thislt will be seen can
not be done as long as a number Of
iawless intruders are allowed to
hold possession of large and valu-
able tracts. After this sale the
reserved lands Of the Cherokee ma
ton will be barely sufficient for
the support of her large and in
creasing population. The home
tract to be reserved is largely com
posed Of rocky broken land, not
making even good pasturage,
hinty and sandy hills covered to
great extent with scrubby timber
In a division there probably would
not be 70 acres Of tillable land to
each OF its present population.
If we are to take this step, the
wisdom OF which you urge upon
us, the necessity for removing the
intruders will be apparent. ! he
real purpose Of these intruders is
to ultimately secure considera-
BILE portion of our most valuable
lands, and to persist in their law
less occupancy until they can get
it. We presume no one would
sustain them in such Hagrant
claim, nor can any good be
secured for any interest, yours or
ours, by continuing this bad and
unsettled condition of affairs In
asking this we ask nothing but a
right formerly guaranteed to US,
and the required performance of
which is in your own statute
books. In all the cessions Of land |
made by the Cherokees one Of the
valuable considerations was re-
newed pledge for the integrity of
the remainder and when reduced |
to what will be no more than a
living for our people, we asked !
this pledge, which is an important I
part of the stipulation for which
we sell our land at low price.
These intruders stand confessed
violaters of your own law (see p.
2118, Revised Statute
" Every person VINO makes a
settlement on any lands belonging,
secured or granted by treaty with
the United States to any Indian
tribe, or surveys or attempts to
survey such lands, or to designate
any OF the boundaries by marking
trees or otherwise, is liable to a
penalty of one thousand dollars. ~
Also p. 2ll1)
Every person who drives, or
otherwise conveys any stock of
horses, mules or cattle, to range or
feed on any land belonging to any
Indian or Indian tribe, without
the consent of such tribe, is liable
to a penalty of one dollar for each
animal OF such stock, and Sec
lion 2l43, III any person who has
been removed from the Indian
country shall thereafter at any
time return or be found within the ,
Indian country, he shall be liable
10 a penalty OF one thousand dol {
.ars. ~
Paragraph 2164, provides that ,
wherever the property Of any /
Indian is taken by an in J
ruder, the latter shall pay to the G
lggrieyed party twice the amount /
n value. i
If these intruders pretend to !
,laim Cherokee blood, they vio- v
ate the Constitution and law of G
he nation by attempting to act as k
.itizens until their claim has been c
determined, and by seizing poses d
ion Of property, cutting or sell Il
ng timber, grazing cattle, etc, are d
Vilful depredators, without an ex- v
use or apology. The Commits L
ioner of Indian affairs in his re- t
'ort accompanying this agreement j.
ays: b
" do not see that any new OBJ k
ggation IN respect to removal of f;
ltrnders is entered into by this g
greement, aud it seems to me q
My a reiteration of obligations i
lready in force" (p, z, Senate, 81
*. Doc, 56.) ia
He refers and quotes the decis- o.
IN of the Supreme Court on page Il
as follows: it
q" One Of the highest prerogA- Ii
YES of government is the right te
declare who are its citizens and 81
le Supreme Courtin the case of ri
lie eastern band OF Cherokees, etc. b,
U. S. Reports, p. 2SS) declared al
effect that this right Of self gov q
which has been secured Ia
the Cherokee nation, gave that
ltion the right to determine who th
e entitled to citizenship therein . av
The Commissioners sent out by M
e United States, making many th
sits during two years while ne In
this agreement say (p. no
, Ex Doc, o.. tr'
" There can be no doubt that ac
ch persons are here without tri
yht aud only as naked trespas- lin
rs. F." They cannot legally ac- ed
lire right in the soil, nor its th'
alHafu nar apv ft,.t..-..-.,,,,,o,,4 ] CO.