Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1896-04-09
BUT IT'S THEIR SAFETY.


proposed Indian legislation In con-
gress, whether the Dawes bill, the
Platt amendment or the bill re-
Gently reported by the sub-commit-
tee of the house becomes law or
fails, it will make very little differ
ence so far as the sentiment in this
country is concerned. There is
absolutely no probability of the In
dians themselves ever taking any
steps toward allotment of land or
anything that would mean change
in the long established methods of
tribal governments. The Indians,
not unlike other nationalities are
slow to give up their own forms OF
government when it may involve
their institutions, and their inde-
pendence. Touching the subject
OF allotment OF land, the enligbt-
ened progressive class of Indian
citizens, when free from political
environment, see and know that it
is inevitable, and generally favor
it as a measure of expediency and
of protection to themselves and
their children. But the fullbloods
as a class, in all these Indian
tribes are constitutionally and i'm
mutually opposed to it and will re-
main so until some other power
than their own brings it to pass.
There are many intelligent and
progressive fullbloods in this and
the other tribes in this territory,
but along these lines they seem
absolutely incapable OF advance
ment, and consequently they will
never consent 10 hold their land in
any other way than as at present
in ncommon-notwithstanding they
are gradually becoming homeless,
as the mixed. bloods are gradually
but surely getting in possession OF
the land.
The presence of thousands of In
truders in the country, Occupying
much of their best land has been a
source of much disturbance, and of
great anxiety to the Indians; 1t has
been an ever present shadow upon
their lives and upon their govern
ment; the hydra-headed monster
that has dissipated all their dreams
of security for nearly quarter OF
g century. The Indians all feel
that the government of the United
States has repeatedly broken faith
with them in the matter OF the ex-
pulsion OF the intruders from the
country, and this is the prime rea-
son why they are afraid to take
another step forward. They are
afraid if they consent to division
of their land that the United States
will give part of it to the intrud-
ers, and so they are making last
stand for what they believe to be
their inalienable rights. But the
question of allotment of land and |
that of citizenship are inseparable.
Holding land in common at the
present time, and under the pres
ent conditions in the surrounding
states is physical impossibility
and is the source of nearly all the
unpleasant complications existing
throughout the domain of the five
tribes today. No Indian tribe can
held land in common and be free
from intrusion. 1t is Eot in the
nature Of things for it to be so, and
disaster awaits the tribe that at
tempts to continue it. The rem
edy would seem to be to place the
individual Indian upon his pro rata
share of the land, give him his
share of the common funds of his
tribe, and thus throw him upon
his own resources and thereby ap-
peal TO his independence and his
manhood, by placing him shoulder
TO shoulder with his brother and
bis equals, and not his superiors of
other races. And thus would end
the long line Of troubles of monop-
ply and intrusion and corruption
hat have disrupted and ruined the
of the five tribes.