Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1894-07-05

do not meet the government. on
common grounds and make AMIGA
bic settlement of the questions in
yolved.
Senator Berry, Of Arkansas: /
am quite sure the present condi-
tions can not continue in the In
dian Territory, and my opinion is
that the best plan for the Choctaws
and ChickGsaws is to meet the
Dawes commission and make the
best terms with them they can. |
think the commission will deal
with them literally, and | am in
clined to think congress will
promptly ratify any agreement the
commission may make that is at
all reasonable. Congress is anxious
to avoid the necessity of the taking
action independent of 1ndiansTbut
if the Indians do not show a dis
position to accede to the govern.
ment's wishes, congress will bring
about the change in its own way.
Senator Teller, Of Colorado: |
should think the Choctaws and
Chickasaws would desire very
much to have a voice in the change
which is to be made in their ooun.
try. If they are shrewd they will
take advantage of the present
81, ''on, when they can settle
the iture relations with the
goverlLec .ully, finally, and in a
more satisfactory way than they
are likely to have another oppor-
tunity OF doing; and l think con-
gress will nearly let them have
the settlement their own way now.
| am in favor of liberal treatment
toward them If they decline to
take hold and assist in the change,
which is inevitable, | think the
change will be made by congress
anyhow, aud such change will be
necessarily incomplete and un-
satisfactory to them, because many
of the details will be lett for future
adjustment in way that they will
scarcely have any influence in.
Senator Platt, of Connecticut. |
am very decided in my opinion
that the Chickasaw and all other
Indians ought to treat with the
commission, and without delay.
They should understand that con.
gress has appointed this commits
sion to treat with them, with the
idea that it had no desire to deal
uniustly with them, but with de-
termination that the matter should
be settled in the near future.
By negotiations with the COM
mission, have no doubt that ar
rangements can be made, which
will be much more satisfactory and
beneficial 20 the Indians, and more
careful of their rights than if con-
gress takes this matter into its own
hands and makes the settlement
itself In that case it will be set
tied by those who have less
knowledge Of the situation and less
regard and sympathy for the In
dians than the commission has.
The Choctaws and Chickasaws
ought to understand that if they
refuse to negotiate with the COM
mission, congress will, just as soon
as it can get at this matter, take
such action as will result in the
allotment of lands and She estab-
lishment of a government under
the authority of the United States.
Senator Cockrell, of Missouri.
When the treaties were made. by
which the five civilized tribes ac-
quired the Indian Territory, their
lands were in the extreme south
western angle of the jurisdiction
Of the United States. Events have
brought about since then the ac-
QUESTION of Texas and the destruc-
ton of Mexican jurisdiction on the
south and west. The settlement
of the country beyond is complete,
and, Just as the accumulation OF
water in front of a dam may be-
come so great as to overflow it, so
the pressure against the lines of
the Indian I erritory became so
strong that in 1889 a part of it was
overhowu by the Oklahoma move
ment; and Just so now the irresist.
ibls tide Of population and energy
is pressing against the boundaries
of the lands of the five civilized
tribes, and they have studied the
history and geography of the
countries Of the Anglo Saxon race
to poor profit if they do not see at
a glimpse what is the inevitable.
Just as the English and the French,
the Spanish and the Mexicans
complained of the loss of their
sovereignty, so the Indians will
complain, but so far as / know
and believe, no one in authority
desires or intends to deprive them
Of their interests without just and
fair compensation. The Choctaws
and Cbickasaws ought to get their
houses in order without delay,
and the sooner the better for them
because delay is dangerous to them
can not possibly bring them any
| good whatever, and may cause
them not only serious disappoint-
ment, but great loss.
Senator Jones, Of Arkansas: ]
would regret exceedingly to see an
injustice done to any Of the five
civilized tribes. ] have felt a deep
interest in their welfare ever since
my connection with public affairs,
'haying lived almost all of my life
in the vicinity Of the Choctaw Ma.
tion, and | hope they will act
wisely in the present emergency
There is no doubt on earth that