Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-12-23

when state, county and town goT-
ernments were sent from Washing
ton in the carpet sack of some pro-
fessional officeholder, whose faith
ers, for generations before him,
had held office and lived and moved
and had their being from the public
treasury Before the election of
Mckinley we had four years DEM
ocratic rule under Mr.. Cleveland.
During that administration We had
an influx of patriotic democrats
from the states like the flight of
Mahommet. They held place and
power, from the humblest posse
man, upward. They came IN such
numbers that some border towns
were very materially reduced in
population. Last year the triumph
of tie republicans left these fellows
high and dry, stranded and far
ashore, and away from the current
that carried the craft of the victo-
rious political party. Then began
to be brought into requisition the
hammerless gun, and the fishing
tackle, and the hunters parapher-
MALTA, until the horny-handed den-
izen of the country and the work
ing citizen would not recognize
them. They are always in shape
and well fixed to organize hunt
or a chase with the newly appoint
ed republican official. They know,
and are ever ready to show the
best hunting ground and fishing
shores. They, by their own ap-
pointing, become cup-bearers and
camp-keepers for those who are
able to help them into place again,
and become subservient and obse-
quious crumb- -gatherers around the
enemy's table, and thus seek to
obtain that which their party lost
at the ballot box.
These same servile vassals were
few months ago rending the air
with their frantic yells for Bryan
and free silver. They were run
ming over each other to get into
the democratic free silver clubs,
and eager for recognition in the
territorial democratic convention.
Now look at them; they are vying
with each other in their efforts to
please and attract the attention of
fortunate republicans who have
''pie" to distribute, so that may
hap they may take pity on them
and help them get job. Those
who fail or are turned out for any
cause will doubtless then stand
ready to serve the good people of
the towns of the territory as mayor
or marshal, or in any capacity that
has a salary attached. AS soon as
the Arkansas laws prevail over
this country exclusively, these fell
lows will be found in the line for
promotion. They have already
followed the hounds and ate the
dinners of the barons, and those
whom they see will have political
influence. They are beard on the
street corners extolling the wealth
and are seen to turn red in the
face, descanting on the virtues of
those who shortly may be able to
assist them in a new roll Of politi-
cal preferment. These fellows
seem to have no home nor country,
no creed nor party, and no future,
and when discharged, covet base
hope of getting on the "band wag-
on" of the enemy, and by hood
winking the republicans, or per-
chance getting a place in the local
elections that will follow in the
wake of full jurisdiction for the
United States courts. These fel.
lows want "pie," and they don't
care at whose table they get it.
They yelled for Bryan-that is
those who had courage enough to
yell at all-but now they will car
ry the armor of any republican
who has "pie" on his board.
During the war of the rebellion
the Indian country furnished beel
for both armies, for it was the
scene of the march and the coun.
ter-march of the armies of both
north and south, but now it car
furnish staff officers and aids-de.
camps for the armies of the world
Many of them have seen service Of
the kind that eminently qualities
They have drank liquor out of high
democratic jugs for four years and
better, and are now drinking wa
ter and hunting with the priest;
and prophets of the republican
camp.
1t is to be hoped that before
congress turns its attention from,
the Indian problem it will have
abandoned the old policy of re-
garding the different tribe:
as quasi-nations. This policy
for which there has been no ex
cuse for fifty and perhaps for 10C
years, explains why the Indian,
| have so lono heen able tn avOiC