Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1895-11-07

cOobl4S Vi Lilh hOOlN SAfS hio pa Z.
a two-thirds majority in the SEN
ate the knowing ones predict that
he will be seated.
The third house" is unusually
large this year and the ubiquitous
fellow that wants something is on
hand button-holing members, and
urging his claim day and night;
they are like the poor described
by our Savior-"always with us. 8"
Sam Mayes will take the oath of
office as principal chief of the
Cherokee nation today and deliver
his message this afternoon if there
is no break in the program.
The invincible claimant is here
to press his claim for right" as
usual, but he is not nearly as num-
erous as on other occasions.
1t is said that George Benge has
a cinch on the treasuryship, but
the Advocate persimmon still
hangs aloft, with the poles of
Frazee, Waddie Hudson, and Col.
w. P. Boudinot reaching for it.
Treasurer Starr, who for a
month has been paying intruders
for their improvements, according
to the appraisement made by the
United States board, returned Sun
day. The total value of the i'm
provements was s6S, 900, to be di-
vided between ninety intruders.
Only forty-seven accepted pay
ment, which was $4,000. The
Cherokee nation has fulfilled its
part of the Strip agreement, and
it now remains for the government
to fulfill its part by moving the
intruders, commencing on JAN
uary 1, 1895.
The peaceful, pleasant and hos
pitsble old town of Tahlequah is
in blaze of glory. She is full to
overfowing. Council time is a
kind of reunion and jubilee COM
bined. Here once year the lead
ing spirits of the Cherokees from
all parts Of tbs nation come and
have high old time. This has
been their custom SO long, it has
been like the old Israelitish pass
over to them, and so for more
than fifty years they have come
here annually. And here began
the reign of the illustrious John
Ross as principal chief, surrounded
as chief advisors by such noted
and honored Cherokees as Going
Snake, Stephen Foreman. John
Benge, Edward Gunter, Jesse
Bushyhead, and many others, both
Eastern and Western Cherokees,
who year later, at Tahlequah,
promulgated the Cherokee con-
slitution, which has proven to be
L Gibralter of protection to the
Of Cherokees. The
solemn and majestic dignity Of the |
preamble to that historic old doc
lment is worthy of repetition now
md here, and is some sort of an
ndex to the character and ability |
If those who framed it. 1t began
,hus:
"We the people of the Cherokee
lation, in national council assem-
)led, in order TO establish justice,
insure tranquility, promote the
common welfare, and TO secure to |
ourselves and our posterity the
blessings of MISUNDERSTANDING |
ng with humility and gratitude,
he goodness of the sovereign
uler of the universe, in permitting
Is so to do, and imploring His aid |
md guidance in it's accomplishment
do ordain and establish this con-
titution for the government of the
nation"
Thus was re-establlshed a ma
ion that had existed as a separate |
md distinct government with all |
he attributes Of sovereignty from |
| period extending back through |
he centuries beyond the records |
md the memory of man, and thus !
continues the Cherokee nation to |
his day. After the vicissitudes of
ifty-seven years that have passed |
oy on the wings Of light and shad-
,w, the council fires of the Cher
,kees are again kindled, and the
good cid town Of Tahlequah is
again a blaze of glory. For more
han half a century, this pictur-
ssque and hospitable Indian town
mas stood among the hills, the
Mecca of Cherokee statesman of
every degree, some Of whom have
made our nation famous at home
and abroad, and have won for the
tribe the distinction of being the