The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1892-06-08

are not citizens of the United States. This
is matter of choice, however, for they
can become such by swearing allegiance
to Uncle Sam, which act sewers their trib-
al relations without altering their proper
ty rights as Indians. But the ties that
have bound them one to another beyond
traditions, ken are not easily or lightly
broken and few have availed themselves
Of the opportunity.
Each nation is a great family, holding
the land in common, appropriating to use
only as much as their individual needslre-
quire, consequently thousands Of acres
find no utility, because the Indians are
slow to learn the value of land. But the
lesson IS being taught thoroughly of late
as is evinced by the fact that in the Creek
nation tract of land twenty-five miles
square and another one thirty miles long
by fifteen miles wide are fenced and are
owned by single individuals. Nor are
these lone examples. Cattlemen are
teaching this lesson and the enterprising
Indian is making the most Of II.
In the Cherokee nation there are over
one hundred primary schools, at which
5000 scholars receive free board and tut
ton, and in some instances are given
books and clothes. At Talequah - the
capitol - there is seminary which cost
$300,000. The other -four nations are not
far behind, maintaining at their own ex-
pense schools even more liberal to the ma
tiye children than are our public institu-
tions OF learning. 1t is asserted on good
authority that the Cherokees are better
educated as q class than are the inhabit-
ants of almost any state taken collectively,
for, while few Of the Cherokees are high
ly educated, all Of them have received o
common school training. The same
might be truthfully said Of one or two
more tribes. But there seems to be an In
herent disqualification for manual
labor, for, while they make good lawyers
and doctors and are successful in other
. professions, yet meyer have / seen nor
heard, during my sojourn among them, Ct
y an Indian mechanic. / will modify the
'' above statement by remarking that
y some OF them make good farmers, but
l. they do not seem TO have an aptitude fol
u trades. Unfortunately their aversion u
10 work has been iostered by the knowledge
g, that they did not have to.
q Most OF the tribes are comparatively
wealthy, for, besides owning vast tracts o
j. land, they have large sums Of money de
y posted with the government, whichaccrueC
r from the sale Of land. The Usage Indians
are the richest Of all, receiving as the 10
terest of their deposit $52.00 per capt.,
u quarterly, or $90800 a year, man, woma'
Ih and child. Some Of the other tribe
ly draw smaller annuities, while the western
=, Indians receive stipulated allowances o
food and clothing.
The five civilized tribes have held ten
e. aciously 10 the old order Of things. Blu
lis the events Of the last ten years has opene
-, their eyes much and the bllndest OF ther
sees the coming change that shall wip
H. out customs, iime-honoIed, but pernicioul
OF Il Is a change that will not affect thei
nd property rights in the least, but only Civ
-, them the citizenship Of the country who's
protection they claim, and receiving sue
Ne should be willing TO meet Its respons
h, bilities II willing To receive its benett
But they have long STAYED of the hour b
70. the complaint that they were not prepal
ed, while In truth they are better prepare
DO than most Of US.
ad All honor to the nation, who, thoug
es cruelty erratic often times, In her mlgl
nm and glory at last has said to these exile
" weaklings, "Rest content, will be you
ne mother also. You need not wander more
,ut Pawnee Agency, /, T. II.