Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1893-07-27
Nnn nuNr1nrs lnrrnR.
Ho Writes Chief Harris on the
Financial Situation.

NlNlIA, 4. -, July ~ 90
GOV. HARRIS:
Strive are in the midst of a
financial crisis that has paralyzed |
trade from the Atlantic to the Pa
cific. banks have suspended,
mines have closed, labor has been
paralyzed and hundreds of thous-
ands thrown out of employment,
and the poor Of the land have been
denied the right to earn an honest
living by honest toll. This, sir, is
the sad condition of our white
neighbors, but there is no reason
why it should be the case here.
Our lands west of 96 have been
sold with a view Of paying out the
money per capita.
| wrote an article some time ago
for THE CHIEFTAIN in which | ad-
vocated a division of the bonds
among the people rather than a
sale. Ii my advice had been taken
we would have been in the best
condition of any people in the
United States to-day, and in addi-
tion to that we would have saved
thousands of dollars that has been
worse than squandered by sending
delegations all over the country in
search OF a buyer. We don't want
to sell these bonds; they are
the best property to-day in the
United States; they are at a prem
ium, while all other kinds of prop
erty have been largely deprecated
in value. Then, sir, why should
we be so anxious to sell them? II
other people buy them for the
profit that is in them can't we well
afford to keep them for that profit?
1t looks that way to me and all
sensible men with whom | have
conversed on the subject.
Our merchants and business men
have sold largely on time in the
belief that these bonds would be
eashed. | doubt not that mil
lion and half dollars worth of
goods have been sold on these
bonds. Can you stand still and
see our trade paraltzed and our
merchants and business men bank
rupted when it is within your
power to call council together and
give almost instant relief by di-
vision of these bonds per capita?
You have but TO raise the magic
wand Of public authority and smite
the rock of public credit and the
living fountain will gush forth.
Let the life blood of the nation flow
freely in the channels of trade and
the Cherokee nation will stand
forth like a green oasis in the great
desert-panic, desolation and de-
struction of values, brought about
purpOsely by the money power of
the land in order to demonetize the
silver dollar of our fathers that has
been a medium of exchange ever
since the days of faithful Abraham,
who gave 100 shekels OF silver for
the Cave of Macpelah in which to
bury his faithful wife; brought
about with the direct view Of till
ing the rich mans field by the
sweat of the poor mans brow and
of making the rich richer and the
poor poorer.
Are you going TO sit still in your
easy chair OF state and see your
people drown in this maelstrom Of
desolation and destruction of val
ues when you can reach forth the
hand of authority and empty the
horn of abundance in the laps oI
the starving poor, which will en-
able them to pay their merchant:
for goods already bought, an,
in turn also enable the merchant
to pay for his wholesale pur
chases, and in the end produc,
prosperity in our midst that il
without a parallel? The wilderness
will bloom and blossom as the rOs,
while the people will shower bless
ings on your head; but if you le
this the opportunity of your life
pass, you will go down in the vor
tex of common ruin with th'
never-ending curses Of the peopl
on your head; you will be hisse,
and loathed as a blind leader o
the blind
But we are told that if we dlyid,
! up these bonds among the peopll
they will shave them and sci
them for a song and sing it them
selves. This may be true; ther'
are some that would perhaps d,
this, but it is also true that if ",
should sell our bonds and pa,
them the money they would squan
der that also; but the great mnjor
ity Of our people would make
proper use OF either bonds or mon
ey and shall we withhold from
the great majority of our peopll
what property belongs to them be
cause there may he few prodiga
sons among US ihat might squan
der theirs in riotods living? sa!
no. Let US divide these bond
among our people; let us empt,
the cornucopia in the laps Of III
starving poor and then stand still
and see the magic results of peace
prosperity and blessings upol
every hand. Money would flow IN
to our banks and into the hand
Of merchants with which to pur
chase these bonds; they woul,
command a premium at once AM
produce a prosperity such as wa
never witnessed here before. Thel
sir, let me implore you to cal
council together at once for tn
purpose Of dividing these bonds
! Complete the census and find ou
what the per capita share will be
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