Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1894-09-13
THE oH1EFs EHsLv.
TO the Dawes Commission 4 A
Decidedly Weak Document.
ExEcUTrvE DEPARTMENT,
CHEROKEE NATION,

s, Commissioners, South Meal
ester, /. T.:
Yours of the Goth ultimo, trans
mitting propositions to the Cher
okee people as to lands in severalty
and citizenship Of the United
States, received in due time.
Coming in the form they have,
there is no room for uncertainty or
misunderstanding of what they
and and what and how much they
are intended to mean-the entire
surrender, on our part, Of all that
is now under the political control
of this nation. II must be ad-
mitted that the sacrifice asked Of
the Cherokee people and accept
once of your propositions would
be sudden and violent in their
consequences, rendered so by the
shortness Of the time for consider
alton of questions of such serious
Importance.
A people who have always been
what they area self. governing
conmunity-nsturally dread the
changes your propositions contem-
plate, as the surrender of all that
Is sacred and traditional among
the people-government, patriot
ism, political existence and even
the control of property are in the
issue.
We certainly recognize that we
are helpless and defenseless peo.
pie, and may not be entitled to a
choice at the hands of nation as
powerful as the United States,
when. as alleged, its policy is OBJ
structed by one as small as this.
But the same principles are in
volved, though at less extent, that
prompted your declaration of in
dependence and gave prestige to
the choice of popular liberty, and
the pursuits Of happiness.
The fact is likewise recognized
that it is not for the reason that
we are so very offensive that these
demands are made of us, but be-
cause of the non-citizens' sentiment
to break down every barrier that
now protects the landed interests
of the people. But we are per.
suaded that there is no disposition
on the part OF the government to
forget, in the exercise of its power,
that forbearance common to the
noble toward the weak and dis.
tressed, by legislating us out Of
existence without giving us ample
time for the consideration of the
radical and serious changes con.
templated in your propositions
and to mature such conditions OF
acceptance as may be deemed safe
and prudent under the circum
stances.
Not wishing to insinuate that
such is the fact, yet the impress
ion prevails that il is the policy o.
your government to harrass the
nations into a compliance with Its
wishes by delaying, if nothing
more, the performance of its mos
solemn obligations to them, there.
by encouraging and abetting in
trusion upon their property by
citizens of the United States, unit
such a condition of affairs has be
como so serious and difhcnlf q
management, that it is now uset
as a plea of inability TO correc
without much trouble and damage
to offenders, and that demands, a
the easiest way out OF difficulty
other concessions on part OF the
Indians.
This policy evidently has a con
trary effect to what seems to be in
tended, as stoical submission 4
what seems to them an unavoid
able wrong is the consequence
History furnishes no instance OF
people taking kindly TO change
as radical as those offered by you
government, where coercion j
used TO enforce terms as serious a
the non-performance of Obligation
and the Withholding OF promises
protection against intrusion.
What the Cherokees want frs
Of all is a settlement of all differ
ences between them and the Unite,
States, an adjustment of all obi
CATIONS and unfinished business
and an unobstructed possession c
all their lands.
Your opinion that sufficient tim
has elapsed for the people of thi
nation to reach a deliberate con
{ clusion may do ON your side of th
question, but not on that Of thos
who are to be effected by tn
changes proposed.
November next our nations
council meets in regular session
when your propositions will b
} submitted for their considerable
and action. 1t was impossible
and is yet, to convene them
extra session in time TO mature an
formulate a decision as to yor
r proposition from the date Of yor
letter to the first day Of Octob'
next. The council was in sessio
4 at the time of your arrival aud ha
q been since.
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