Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1895-10-17

PONOA IACNiONSlJ OAJOJ ON " 0hO
Indian courts to the United States
courts. No one, however, insist
ing upon a strict observance of the
treaties. In this contention Sen
ator Morgan was defeated by the
friends of Senator Berry, and the
unfortunate delegates of the In-
dian governments found them.
selves in the unhappy position of
feeling grateful at the success of
those who intended to establish a
territorial government.
What can the future offer in the
way at Legislation supporting the
treaties when not a single advocate
of the treaties remain in office.
Those who control legislation for
the Indian Territory, Senators
Jones, Platte, Berry, Morgan, etc g,
only differ as 10 the methods of
destruction OF the Indian govern
ments. They are unanimous in
the opinion that the time has
come to change the Indian govern
ments, and their appears not a
single man to say no. 1t is of the
highest importance that those who
are trusted leaders of the Indian
people should exercise nov their
highest intelligence and determine
what Is best for the people. Pas
sion and emotion should be allow
ed to cut no figure, but a cold, de-
liberate and careful survey should
be taken of the conditions as they
exist. "It is a condition and not
a theory" that confronts the In
dian people.
1t is stupid, if it is not wicked,
to say that the treaties cannot be
broken, when they have already
actually been broken. 1t is wick
ed. it one knows better. to mis-
lead a people until it is too late to
defend their best interests. Every
interest can be defended now, the
terms practically dictated-full
payment of all claims, provisions
against territorial taxation on land
held by an Indian at first hands,
pay for the REIMBURSEMENT of SOW
ereignty, an equal distribution of
all lands and funds, full control to
the Indian citizens of all property
rights, mineral rights, rights in
town property, and perhaps spec
ial political privileges.
If the commission fails, no reas-
enable man doubts that congress
will take steps to effect a change
by legislative enactments, more or
less conservative, indeed, but
without being directly or greatly
influenced by the wishes of the
Indian people. The personnel of
the commission, with General
Armstrong, an influential member,
and a man who has proven faith
full friend of the Indian people and
their rights, gives them assurance
of fair deal and a generous con-
slderation of every right. As
long as the negotiations continue,
or are pending, no danger what
ever need be apprehended from
congressional Intervention. 1t,
therefore, should be the policy cl
the people to keep the commission
engaged with negotiations, even il
it were nothing more than causing
them to mark time, while the peo,
pie get a chance to thoroughly un.
derstand this matter of vital i'm.
portance. The Indian leaders
should beware of assuming the
great responsibility of deciding
this matter without deliberate
reference to the people who ovr
the land, and who, alone, have
the sovereign right of deciding
this question.
The commission, through a like
commission on the part of the In
dian nation, should be invited t
express in plain terms what th'
/ United States desires and what the
administration proposes, and thi
matter should then be referred t,
the people, so that they might b.
popular vote pass upon the matter
The representatives of the peO
pie should insist upon every right
/ which they cl i'm for the people
and refuse to negotiate unless
every right to which they are just
ly entitled IS conceded. If Ih'
United States commission shoul,
put itself in the position of refus
ing to concede the rights demand
ed by the people, then the repre-
sentatives of tie Indian Territor,
would have a chance to defea
legislation before congress on tn,
grounds that their right had beer
denied them in an attempt to ne
gotiate. but. if the Indian nation
refuse to treat with courtesy tn
United States through its com
mission, and stubbornly and sul
lenly refuse to consider the grav'
and serious wishes and desires o
the parent government, their ap
peals to congress thereafter oil
such a record will, in all human
probability, not meet with tina
generous response which woui'
otherwise be accorded.
These suggestions are offered il
the belief that they are wise anC
| in the hope that they may Prov
servicable as a basis of considera
ton of the great crisis which i
now practically before the people
of the Indian Territory Phoenix
----------------
miscellaneous News Notes.
An inhuman story comes from