The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-06-29
ONE WOMAN ENOUGH.

July LIST is the date fixed by the new
Oklahoma Inv after which each noble
red man, in that territory, must confine
himself to the affections Of single
wife. They must choose before that
day which among their present connub-
ial felicities they will retain, or. rather.
remain with. One teepee, one squaw, is
to be the rule. This is tough, tough
enough from a hereditary buck view.
Only one poor wife to look after all the
personal requirements of real, live
and robust brave and bear all his chill
dren TO boot. The prospective widows,
with whole shacks full of pappooses,
say little, but the head of the family
declares that ne can't stand it. To say
nothing of Headlights, annuities and
the like, the country will be left full of
irresponsible relicts, drawing annuities
for all her children, and the father Of
them having no hand or say. A dele
CATION of these victims of the white
mans narrow notions have been wait
ing upon Governor Barnes 10 see if
some way can't be devised so that
man can hold on to more than one wo-
man. These noble red men of The for
est and Of prairie, these guileleSs chill
dren Of nature, declare that they can't
choose as between their wives. that one
is as dear as another, and that their
children are all loved alike; and that,
anyhow, the Great Spirit never intended
that any woman, as wife, should be
much as Il handmaiden or two 10 play
the hired girl or the spouse as occasion
require. Bible precedentS and Indian
tradition for centuries are cited. but all
TO no purpose. Major Woodson tells
them that they are now American citi-
Zens-as if they hadn't always been citl-
Zens Of America-and if they don't like
the law they must vote 1t down. Gov
ernor Barnes points TO the statute and
then 10 himself. and in the language of
Omar khayan tells them that the NOV
Ing finger writes and having writ moves
on, nor all the Indians traditions or
tears, piety or wit can lure il back 10
cancel half line or wipe out a section
of it. The Indian looks from face to
face of the half dozen whom he has
been wont 10 love and cherish, looks
into the upturned mugs of his little de-
pendent ones and curses the fate which
is cutting off his race. even TO the
chances of reproducing it. No more
can he so a-wooing the dusky maids OF
his nation. Ii is one, and only one.
hereafter, and she for life, or till death.
whatever may become OF the census of
his tribe. And with this new order of
things win be ushered in the "old maid
a creature unknown TO the nomad. the
despised, whom no brave may dare en-
brace; the old maid Indian with her la
menr She a woman made for love. but
with no mate or nest; an Indian old
maid, past the spring of young desire.
who will see happy squaw mothers
fiaunt their bliss for all the world 10 see.
but an empty board for her; an old
matd-squaw, mourning her irremedia-
bic loss, hearing the voice of a pappoose
calling mother" in the night. a pap
poose the light OF whose eyes she will
never see. because the white man or
dained that 10 should have no paternity.
Malignant civilization of white cranks
who should rob these dark-eyed chill
dren Of the forest OF their hirrhriSht, of
the crown that women wear. the COM
mon heritage 10 which all flesh is heir.
Guthrie legal lights declare that the law
Is not worth the paper that it is written
on. yet the despoiled brave nor the
many enforced grass widows, nor bar
rem maid will ever know.