Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-10-21

CATION which example was follow
ed by the larger portion of the aud
fence which numbered about 800
persons.
Redbird and Muskrat spoke on
the part of the Cherokees; Thomas
West and Thomas Little for the
Seminoles, Hon. Roley Mcintosh
responding for the Creeks. Hon.
Tams Bixby of the Dawes commits
sion, was present and made few
remarks.
Redbird of the Cherokees, ad-
dressed a convention composed
of the members of the House of
Kings and Warriors, and many
other spectators.
He said: az have been selected
by my people to espouse their
cause and 10 represent them at
this convention. | feel my ina
bility to serve them; | feel want
of confidence in myself; | feel the
want of education to enable me to
discharge the great duty, but |
have decided to go at their call,
believing that it is the will of God
that | shall serve them. set
about to do all the good | could
and then | grew sick, but my as
sistant went on and told them that
the cause of the people was with
them, and when | remembered the
condition by brothers are in, | felt
it my duty to come and talk with
them. | remembered that when
my tribe, the Cherokees, were in
trouble, that my brother Porter
came and talked to them; and now
hearing of your condition my
brothers, came to talk to you and
offer you my help. That is where
| stand today. | was pleased with
my brother when he talked to US,
but when | came here today | see
all the fullbloods are in much
trouble; they are sick. 1t appears
to me from the best can gather
that treaty is not to your satisfac-
tion; that the government has
weakened. As far as | am con-
cerned, myself, | cannot say to
you what is best for you to do, but
do nothing that will work a hard
ship on your people. From what
learn, the United States govern
ment is not able TO bind it on you.
understand the commission is not
disposed to force anything upon
YOU but to leave it with the peO-
pie. 1t seems that everything has
been left to the United States con-
gress to work it out for them. |
was thinking as came along and
saw your facilities for education
and the advancement you have
made, how it was possible that
great government was trying to
suppress all aivancement. 1t is
my desire that the government
should let me alone until | could
educate my children and prepare
them to become citizens of the
United States; prepare them fpr
the change. | would be glad if the
United States would keep faith
with us. At this time we are not
prepared to take citizenship Upon
ourselves. We are not accus fomed
TO their language.
We are not ready and dojnot be-
lieve the U. S. government will at
this time force us and break all our
treaties. But if it is forced upon
us, let them do it without our aid.
If the government passes such rad
ical legislation as Will work a
hardship on us thitk we will be
able to contest it in jsome court or
get our rights some&here.
My brothers LETT us not give up
at this time; let As stand together
and test this mayter, done without
our consent. Yet us remember
our duty TO Dur children. We
read in the biB of the children of
Israel, how they were in bondage
so long. ann how there arose a
Moses to lfad them through the
wilderness I and fear not that one
will arise Able to lead us: Be true
to the interest of your children and
people.