Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1894-09-20

aitect your destiny. Your people
are nearly unanimous in opposing
a union with Oklahoma in one gov
eminent If congress shall be
compelled to effect change by
legislation, there will be power
ful influences at work to make one
state of the Indian Territory and
Oklahoma. There is in the Unit.
ed States much opposition to
creating small Western States,
where they must for many years be
devoted largely to agricultural pur-
suits. A large state government
costs but little more than a small
one. There is also a disposition
among some people in the East to
prevent a too great preponderance
In the senate by the West, and
this feeling would likely make II.
self felt in determining the ques-
ton of union with Oklahoma.
The western half of Oklahoma is
so sterile and subject to drouths
that single statehood would be
burdensome to the taxpayers of
the Eastern half, and this would
have much weight in deciding this
question. Oklahoma is yearning
for statehood, but is hesitating to
accept singe statehood, and its
people are anxious to have a
union with you. They are intel
/ ligent and energetic people favored
with men of great ability and
much influence in congress, and If
this question of single statehood is
ever represented to congress, free
from all restraints and impedi-
ments, you will find their influ.
ence very strong, perhaps irresisti-
BILE.
Looking to the interests of the
Five Tribes alone, this Commits
sion is of the opinion that single
statehood is not desirable, and we
offer to insert it as a condition in
any agreement we may make, that
you shall have a separate govern
ment.
1t also seems important to us
that you shall retain a territorial
form of government for n consider
able time, and until your people
shall acquire an intelligent COM
prehensiOn of the change. This
would enable congress to super
wise any laws enacted by a terri
torial legislature, and annul such
as YOU might deem unjust or op-
pressive. Should you pass at
once to statehood, this power
would be lost. l beg you to be-
lieve there is no power on earth in
which you may safely protect your
rights and interests as the congress
of the United States. There no
race prejudice exists, there tao
guiding star of action is justice
and humanity. There you al
ways have warm friends and able
men to champion your cause when
wrong is attempted or threatened.
There exists power omnipotent
to execute its will
| believe the prime object in
creating this Commission was, that
we should come here and ascertain
from personal knowledge your
situation, needs and dangers, and
devise some method by which
your condition may be improved, (,
existing evils extirpated, and all
possible safeguards thrown around
your interests, thus assuring you
a security congress could not al
ford with its meager and imper-,
feet information.
Having given you an opportuni-
" to make this change by an
agreement, in which you can form
and fashion your future yourselves,
X you shall reject its offer con
gress would be less likely and less
. patient to listen to your petitions
and suggestions.
Now, my friends, | am not 60
ing to avoid, because distasteful to
you, telling you plainly that many
senators and representatives in
congress have learned that the
delegates you send there are not
devoted to the interests Of your
people, but are the representatives
of the monied interests which
dominate your councils, and when
all the facts are laid before con-
gress | believe there will be no
doubt on this subject in the mind
of any man. This may seem like
plain speaking, but | know it is
the unanimous conclusion Of this
Commission, after many months
residence among you, and after
the most careful and pains taking
investigation.
May He who rules and over
rules, guide you into the path of
wisdom and safely through your
perplexities.