Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-10-21
THAT VISIT TO THE CREEKS.
Muskrat and His Associates Report
the Results.
Tahlequah Arrow.

Muskrat and His Associates Report
the Results.
Tahlequah Arrow.
Daniel Redbird, Senator Musk
rat and others, delegates from the
Cherokees to confer with Chief Is
parhecher and the Greeks in regard
to the recent Greek treaty, have
returned. They speak in glowing
terms of the patriotism of their
brother Creeks with few excep-
tions, and are confident that they
helped to rekindle the fires of pat
riotism, and that the treaty will
not be ratified as it now stands.
In speaking of their visit to Ok
mulgee, the Greek capital, Redbird
and Muskrat said:
1--WE were royalty entertained by
Chief lsparhecher and the Greek
council. We met the fullblOods in
wigwam fashion, and talked over
the traditions of our people, both
Creek and Cherokee; the undying
love the fullblood had for his peo-
pie, and smoked the pipe We
then, upon invitation, addressed
the Creek senate and council in
joint session. We were paid re-
spectful and appreciative hearing
Fby all parties of that nation. Last,
but not least, We were rendered a
banquet given in our honor by our
brothers and sisters of the Greeks,
which we shall ever remember. In
our opinion the treaty will not be
ratified; for they, like US, realize
that it is a case of life and death
with them-death to ratify it"
Mr.. Muskrat further said: 81
wish you could have heard the
burning words of patriotism that
fell from the lips of that grand old
man, isparhecher; would like to
have seen them in print In the
white mans paper and then copIeC
in Cherokee and Creek so that all
might read. Will give you one IN
stance: In referring to the Indians
as the aborigines of this North
American continent, he said to us:
"I wish we could get a picture,
drawn by some great artist, who
has a soul, representing the last
of the Indian race; the last OF the
aborigines who once owned all this
country; representing the landing
of Columbus and how he was re-
ceived by our race, with open
hearts and outstretched hands.
Then beside that picture I'd like
to place one, made by that same
artist, representing the white mans
ingratitude and the Anglo-Saxon
greed; representing the vast do
main ceded by our race to those
people; and a little spot We now
occupy, should be placed in the
picture TO remind them of broken
promises and false pledges made to
weak people, to remind them
that they now seek to smite the
hands, hearts and homes OF those
who once gave them bread; and
now wish to drive US even from
this little spot by harsh laws and
compulsory processes, to God only
knows where. And further there
should be drawn on that same can
vas the picture of our race, once
proud and happy, but now forsak-
en-, homeless, penniless, wander.
ers on the face of the earth. Yes,
homeless in their own God-given
country. Such a picture might
touch the emotions and hearts OF
some of our white brothers In the
states, who may have some tender
recollections of us and remember
us now in our distress and help
stay the despoiling- hand. The
treatment of the Indian race in
North America when traditions are
handed down and when history is
written, will be the most heartless,
blackest, ungrateful and cruel
pages ever penned by mortal man;
it is pity that our children may
read it,"
90" said Mr.. Muskrat, "Is-
parhecher is a great and wonder
ful Indian. He said a great deal
more Oh this line. 1t was so good
and convincing to those of his peo-
pie who were faltering. Great
tears of gratitude welled up in his
eyes as be spoke of his elder broth
ers, the Cherokees. The CherO-
KEGS coming to him and his peo-
pie in their hour of need; when all
looked dark and gloomy for not
only us, but for the whole Indian
race, is a good omen"
The Muskogee Times gives the
following account of the proceed
ings:
"Chief Isparhecher delivered the
welcome address, touching tender
ly and pathetically upon the past
history and differences OF the
Creeks and Cherokees, also de-
scribing the manner and time of
becoming reconciled to each other,
after which he spoke of the un-
broken friendship that had so long
existed between the two tribes and
expressed the hope that this
friendship would be perpetuated
for all time to come; bidding the
Cherokee delegation welcome, he
extended the right hand of friend
ship to each member OF the dele