The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1894-12-18
THE OSAGE VIEW.
Hon. = ,. Leshy writes Euteriaiuiogiy %
statehood Mstters

Editor Leader
PAwHUskA. o. T.. Dec. I4-Trnm
the report % the Dawes commission
the people of the Usage nation are
confronted with the probability oi
being separated from Oklahoma aud
made a part of the Indian Territory
The convention at El Reno on the 2.lh
nit decided 90 stand upon and work
for the approval Of, that report. This
action on The part of the Dawes COM
mission and also on the part OF the El
Reno convention was taken without
advising with or astertaining the
wishes Of s OO0 Of the residents of OK
lahoma, sevcn-eights Of whom are
auNiJusly looking forward for the
time when they may be rid 81 this
tribal government and enjoy the fun
rights of American citizenship The
people OF the Usage nation seem now
20 bc confronted with the fact tina
they are to be opposed by those upon
whom they most depended. We do
not believe we have done aught to
merit this treatment
II may be said that this is matter
which rests largely with the people Of
the Usage nation, and that ID they are
opposed 20 O change they ought to so
express themselves To this we would
say, when ones household is turned
against bin, u is hard for him TO de-
fcnd himself. We would also say that
conditions are such here as 70 render
it aim 1st impossible TO get, at tins
time, an expression from the people Of
this nation,
The Osages number about 1000 and
are divided into two factions. the a.
lotment and anti.allotment or pro.
gressive and full-blood parties. The
full-blood party is probably in the ma
jority. They are genera ly in favor Of
being made part Of the Indian Ter
ritory. The progressive party cannot
afford, though opposed to going with
Indian Territory, TO bring about a
| fight upon this question and thereby
sacrifice all chances for allotment and
destruction 4 their tribal govern
mcut
There are also upon the reservation
between q. 900 and 900 white people.
citizens Of the United states, vast
. majority OF whom prefer Oklahoma
10 the Indian Territory. When this
nation shall become a organized part
OF some state or territory. they expect
10 be here. At present they are here
under leases and special permits from
the department TO work for the In
dians, consequently, they can not take
such action as may prevent allotment.
In the matter OF statehood the white
man on this reservation is and ought
10 be as much interested as the red
man; and the Usage nation has as
much right 10 be protected In this
matter as any other post of Oklahoma
We cannot be accused of dislovaltv,
for we have proven ourselves 20 the
contrary While we cannot now take
a stand as between the two tcrritor-
ics yet we do not want TO be turned
/ against when the present allotment
agitation passes away the people OF
. this nation will not be found silent
i'm this momcntuous question
1t is TO be regretted that the FL
Reno convention decided TO accept
statehood upon the plans suggested
by the Dawes commission. II CON
grcss will give Oklahoma the greater
part OF the Chickasaw nation IL ought
certainly as willing not only leave the
| Usage nation but include the whole
Indian territory within its bounds.
This ought to be the fight and upon
this question, with us at least, there
would be not division. With the hopes
we have we ought TO yet continue the
fight for single statehood. Better no
statehood at present than statehood
without the Indian territory.
II Oklahoma will, let her fight for
all in sight, but she ought not throw
aside part of her people against their
own wishes, because she may gain
thereby. Sincerely yours,
T. J. LEAHy.