Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1894-06-28
CONGRESSIONAL VIEWS.
Regarding the Affairs of the Civi.
llzed Tribes.

A few days since the Washing.
ton correspondent of the Globe.
Democrat interviewed a number
of members of both houses on the
subject of Indian Territory affairs.
Below is given the question and a
number of answers:
"In view of the legislation of the
last congress providing for the APP
pUintment of these commissioners
to 60 to the Indian Territory and
attempt negotiations with the FIVE
civilized tribes for surrender OF
their governments, allotment of
their lands and acceptance of citi-
zenship of the United States, and
in view of the propositions re-
Gently submitted to the Choctaws
and Chickasaws, what advice will
you give to the Choctaws and
Chickasaws2"
Representative Morgan, of Mis-
souri: There is no escape for the
five civilized tribes from assimila-
tion with the people Of the United
States If the assimilation comes
by their consent and by a plan
which they themselves assist in
formulating it were better for them
but with or without their con-
sent it will take place, and at no
distant day. My advice to the
Choctaws and Chickasaws is to
get ready for it, and deprive its
elimination of as much of its
harshness as possible.
Representative Dinsmore, of Ar
kansas: The sentiment that the
large areas of unused lands held
by the Indians shall be reduced to
occupancy by white settlers is con-
stantly growing, and in my opin.
ion will continue to grow until the
general demand for it is consum-
mated. 1t is useless for the In
dians to delay for discussion of the
moral phases of the question. The
small remnants of the great tribes
that now remain, and the COM
paratively small part of the coun-
try now held by them may not
speak well for the generosity or
fairness of the white race,
but the Indian should consider
that it is but the repetition of the
history of conquest, and adopt
that course, which now seems best
for his own interest. l believe it
is best for him to make terms with
the commission representing the
United States government for the
sale of his lands at fair price.
Representative Thos. G. McRae,
of Arkansas: / think it is of the
greatest importance to the Indians
to treat with the Dawes commits
sion. From what | know of the
condition of affairs in the Indian
Territory and the emphatic ex-
pressions of prominent men, both
public and private, | am convinced
that the Indians must abandon
their tribal governments, accept
citizenship of the United States
and take their lands in severalty.
With those who understand the
situation (and the whole country
is being rapidly informed upon
this subject) there is no dissent
from this view. No reasonable
person can indulge the thought for
moment that the white non-citi-
zens of the territory, who are to
the Indians as four to one, and
who are not only there by permits
sion, but the most of whom have
existing contract rights with the
Indians, will be excluded, nor
that they can long reside there
without some form of government
that will recognize them as citi-
zens and protect them in the en-
ioyment of their life, liberty and
property. In order to develop
this great country the Indians
have violated the spirit, if not the
letter of the treaties, in leasing
their lands to the whites, and con-
gress will be perfectly justified in
abrogating the treaties, and | am
satisfied willdo so justas soon as
any agreement can be made. There
is no question about the power to
do this. This increasing body of
American citizens, whose children
are growing up in ignorance, are
entitled TO some form of govern
ment, and / believe it will be pro-
vided by this congress. The
Dawes commission was sent out
in the best of faith, and is perhaps
the last one ~ the kind that will
ever be authorized to treat upon
the subject. If the Indians con-
tinue to reject the reasonable and
liberal propositions made by the
commission, then congress should,
and think will, promptly organ.
ize a state or territory, either with
or without Oklahoma, divide the
lands eqdally among the Indians,
with proper protection to the
white residents. If the Indians
prefer an amicable settlement of
business matters and a voluntary
surrender Of their tribal govern
ment to having congress make the
allotment, / think the Dawes COM
mission can furnish them the only
opportunity TO secure it.
s----------
Freely Ye Have Received. Freely Give.
For the naet fwalve vaarg Wor-