Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1893-02-02

plan and no one could raise reason.
able objections to it. BY this
means we could afford TO allow our
funds TO remain in the hands of the
parent government for a while,
each year paying our taxes and a
per cepita payment TO those whose
taxes did not cover the amount due
them. This is the only true prin-
ciple by which TO sustain a govern
ment and the foundation of all re-
publican forms Ct government. We
are virtually controlled as a State,
and have more laws extended over
us than any Territory in the Union
and no representation or voice in
making them, outside Of our own.
Like those of the United States
some Of the latter are not very ac-
ceptable. The great hobby of
those who would deceive the com.
mon people is to refer to States of
the Union-for instance Kansas
which is no comparison whatever.
Our homes are paid for already;
we have No reason TO go in debt
and mortgage our farms as did Kan
sas' adventurers, a great portion of
them buying farms on time, paying
exhorbitant interest yearly and i'm
proving same. Low prices of pro-
duce and failure of crops has done
more to depress not only Kansas
but other States of the Union, than
any other influence. How is Tex
as2 In fine condition. Just so with
us; we would own our soil, have
many Of our public buildings on
hand, an invested fund if we desire
to keep it in the hands of the United
States. If the strip sale is made
and the money retained at five per
cent. the interest would be 1926
600; this added to our present an
nual interest account of Sl42, 900
makes 1857, 900. With this ad.
vantage we certainly could sustain
ourselves and be as independent as
any State in the Union. Natural
ly, allotment would follow, to
which no one with a view to justice
could object.
In the creation Of man a certain
portion of territory was set apart or
allotted to him, which was the
garden of Eden, where he was
happy and contented, and for his
sins was turned out to possess the
whole earth. This was his punish
ment. Adam was sorely grieved
over losing his allotted home, when
turned out to till the soil. The
pioneers in settling a portion of old
Virginia adopted the plan OF own
ing land in common; the only thing
that saved them from ruin was to
divide in severalty, as generally a
few grab the best and more than
their share, and by so doing receive
more of the benefits than entitled
to. We all have equal shares and
should have equal chances in order
to get our proportion Of the profits
derived. This is an impossibility
in q nation like ours. Too many
of us are using the investments Of
others and paying nothing there
for. Justice, honor, honesty, and
humanity demand a more equal di.
vision of the benefits derived from
the soil. Self interest is the only
foundation for an argument against
an equal division. 1t cannot be
the promotion or the protective
care for the Indian that those who
oppose a division have in view.
1t looks more like robbery before
their eyes and by their consent,
and protected in il by our laws.
Well might we exclaim, how long
will vengeance be withheld from the
heads Of the guilty perpetrators Of
such wrongs upon us?" as it is
said the unintelligent and ignorant,
and also the youths of our country
are being crowded out, unable to
find sufficient common land to set
tie on. The word common is lost
or construed differently from the
intended meaning in our constitu-
tion. Twenty five persons in this
nation, we venture, are realizing
the benefits of not less than one
hundred and fifty Others interest
in the soil. AS ever,