Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1893-05-11
HENRY CLAY DEAN
Comes Back at "Oatoosa" on the
Adopted Citizen Question.



-
EcHo, I. T., May 8, '93.
EDITOR CH1EFTAIN:--My article
published in your columns few
weeks ago on the subject of citizen
ship In this nation has elected q
somewhat erratic and acrimonious
reply from "Catoosa," who, with
an assurance characteristic of his
race, proceeds to shed light (2) on
our constitution and laws in a way
that threatens to wipe them off the
face of the earth. According to
"Catoosa" we have been cropping
in Egyptian darkness all along not
knowing what the Cherokee con-
stitution does mean. What n pity
SO much time and labor has been
lost in making a constitution and
laws that are so conflicting as to
render them null and void. But it
is very remarkable that this ques-
ton was never raised before. One
would really think that the pros
pect of a $500 per capita payment
had something to do with bringing
~ iat0osau t0-the front und caus-
ing him to gratuitously-I suppose
take upon himself the task of
constituting our constitution and
setting aside our laws.
think | know who "Catoosan
is. If / am not mistaken, about
twenty years ago he came here
from the states, nice, clean we'll
bred young white man, and in due
time married one Of our most beau
tiful and accomplished girls and
has since reared family of boys
and girls who deserve his protec-
ton. They have given him every
thing in the world they have had
to give, and right here is a good
time to quote the oath admins
tered to "Catoosa" and all other
white adopted citizens: 81 do SOL
emnly swear that | will honor, de-
fend and submit to the constitution
and laws of the Cherokee nation
and will neither claim, nor seek
from the United States, or any
other government, or from the
judicial tribunals thereof any pro-
lection, privilege or redress incom-
patible with the same, as guaran-
teed to the Cherokee nation in
treaty stipulation entered into be-
tween them; so help me God"
This being the oath administered
to white men on becoming citizens
of this nation it is difficult to un-
derstand how "Catoosa" can main
tain his position, or how he can
get redress of grievances. But
cannot think that he voices the
sentiment of any considerable num-
Der of white adopted citizens.
Many of my neighbors are white
adopted people. They are, with
very rare exceptions, satisfied with
their status here under the law.
They respect the law and the con.
stitution and their Cherokee fami-
lies; are not willing to accept some.
thing for nothing. Their rights
do not extend to soil or vested
funds, as the law plainly defines.
| (See law of intermarriage Of white
men and foreigners.) They bought
no land, east or west of 96S, and
will get none. Through the benef-
icence Of the Cherokee government
all citizens were allowed to draw
some years ago at what was called
the "bread-money" payment. A
failure of crops and general de-
preston in business made it neces-
sary for the government to render
financial aid to her citizens and all
shared it alike.
But this was never intended tc
establish anyone's rights to soil oi
vested funds. The Strip is a par
Of the inheritance of the Chero
KEGS, and a part they never sold tC
anyone until it was sold to tn,
United States. But as ! stated il
a former article, the courts will de
eide it finally and once for all.
The Delawares and Shawneel
and Freedmen have sued in tn,
United States courts for an interes
in the Strip, which the agreemen
plainly shows they did not pur
chase. The whites have not brought
suit, and if they regard the oatl
quoted above they never will.
The prospect of large per cap
ita payment has subveried tn,
judgment of few adopted whites
but the rank aad file are satisfied
with their rights as defined in tn,
constitution and laws. If the con
ditions here are not what theJ
would have them, the same condi
tons existed before they came herr
and they knew or should hav'
known just what their status was
HENRY CLAY DEAN.