Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1893-02-02
JUDGE oL1NaAN's VIEWS.
Intelligent Action Should Dis
place Our Lethargy.
cnELsEA. IED. I'm. January aard. lsos

CHELsEA. ISD. TER, January 2srd. 1898.
EDITOR CHIEFTAIN: AS ques-
tions of great importance to the
Cherokees are being raised among
them, and thinking it not out OF
place, as a citizen present through
your columns, If permitted, a few
ideas and suggestions. The sur
veying of our home tract of land
should be dcne without delay. In
the treaties of 1928, 1888 and 1885
the United States guarantees unto
the Cherokees forever, seven mil
lion acres of land, giving bounda-
ries, and If necessary to make the
amount sufficient, to be extended
west. By act of congress May 28,
1880, the president Of the United
States was authorized and empow-
cred to issue patents or titles to the
Cherokee nation of Indians, which
was done by President Van Buren.
After so many guarantees and our
landed interest becoming limited, is
it not time to find out whether or
not the seven million acres are
within the boundaries specified.
If there should be more there can
be no damage; if less, the United
States is bound to make it good.
We are led to believe by those who
claim to be informed, that we have
only about five million acres of land
in the home tract. If this be true
why not ascertain the fact as soon
as possible? This is a matter in
which we are all interested; Just so
with the United States. Therefore
it might be TO our advantage to CO.
operate with the United States
when surveying is done-with a
fair and distinct understanding.
Let us do away with prejudice
and jealousy, for cot all passions,
jealousy is that which exacts the
hardest service and pays the least
wages" says Cotton. There are
many reasons why our country
should be surveyed. We could To-
cate our roads and improvements
to better advantage; we would be
better prepared for what is general
ly admitted to be inevitable at a
not distant day-sllotment and
statehood.
1t is presumptuous TO even think
of remaining an independent SOW
ereignty within the bonds Of the
United States a very great while,
as the more thisquestion is agitated
the less our chances are to remain
as we are. The attention of con.
gress is turning more to our condi-
ton of late than ever before; let us
prepare to meet the situation intel
ligently whilst We hold half OF the
string. Statehood should be dis
cussed among us, that we may un-
derstand its workings, advantages
and disadvantages. On this point
the resolutions passed at Vinita,
January 14th, express my views
as far as they &c. We should, in
my opinion, meet ne other tribes
in the Territory in convention and
come to some concerted plan of &C
ton and present the matter to con-
gress by the time the new body
meets, March 4th. We have
friends in congress who are advis-
ing US as to our best course and are
willing to aid us in what is right
and Just; is it not time we should
heed their advice? Is not our can
die burning at both ends? Itseems
slow suicide and we ourselves may
be 10 blame. All will no doubt ad-
NIT that our condition would be
bettered by statehood, our protec-
ton granted, manhood established, q,
independence asserted, a more per.
feet form Of government secured,
our social condition manifestly ad-
vanced and the proud name given
us Of adding another star TO the
flag Of the most powerful and pros
porous government on earth. We
should consider the promotion the
greatest leap the American Indians
ever made in the way Of advance
ment, politically and civilly. All
Territories Of the United States,
when sufficient in population, have
knocked at the door for admittance
as a State, knowing the great ad-
vantages gained. II is the fixed
pslicy to make States out Of all
the Territories and our time cannot
be far off. Knowing these things
why use any deception in the mat
ter? The first step TO be taken
probably would be to arrange all
our funds in possession Of the
United States or which may accrue,
in such manner that the interest
win be paid out per capita; then
tax each person according to
amount Of property he owns. The
amount paid in this way would, In
nearly every instance, pay the
taxes, leaving an oyerplus to those
unable TO pay otherwise and exact.
ing probably an overplus from those
most able TO pay for the greater
protection required. BY adopting
this plan each and every one would
pay his equal and just proportion
In sustaining the machinery Of our
government This would be safe