Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-10-14
THE CREEK COUNCIL.
THE LATELY FORMED AGREEMENT
PRESENTED FOR CONSID.
GRAFTON.

The Chiefs Regular and Special Mes
sages-He had first Heard OF but
Later Appears to have Read the
Agreement-And Does Not Like it
Either.
In the message of Chief Ispar-
hecher on the assembling of the
Creek council the following allu-
sions only to the recently signed
agreement were found:
You are doubtless anxious to
learn the results of the efforts of
your commissioners whom you ap-
pointed to negotiate treaty with
the United States government. |
have heard that treaty has been
concluded and | expect it to be
officially reported at an early day,
but as it has not been so reported
to this office, l cannot express an
opinion on its merits, but hope to
have an opportunity of doing so
before many days.
X x
In conclusion, gentlemen, per-
NIT me to remind you that, as
people, we are in the midst of
what appears to be one ofthe most
extraordinary crises that have
ever confronted our people and it
will require the exercise of your
coolest and friendliest effort in the
work OF evolving good and pro-
viding safety out of it for our wait
ing people. You may have to
canvass grave questions involving
the very life or death of our ma
ton. In the faithful discussion
of such questions, honest differ
ences of opinion must need appear;
but | indulge the hope that your
deliberations will always be char
aeterized by kindly and respectful
consideration of each others views,
however divergent, and that any
heat of debate that may arise in
your discussion will not be that OF
personal feelings, but the impulse
of true and patriotic devotion to
duty.
THE SPECIAL MESSAGE.
Gentlemen: | herewith trans
NIT the report and treaty recently
concluded by your commission
with the commission on the part
of the United States, for your con-
sideration.
1t will be observed by you that
it provides for the allotment of
our lands and the extinguishment
of our tribal title. | regard this
feature of the treaty as being very
dangerous, and therefore very OBJ
iectionable. Allotment of lands
to Indians has heretofore proven
disastrous in every instance and is
sure to result likewise with US
when we try it. 1t is a system of
holding land that is entirely new
to our people. Some of US how
ever, tried the sad experiment in
Georgia and Alabama little over
half a century ago, resulting in our
final removal thereirom. My ad-
vice is never to try it again.
Oar system of land tenure has
proven successful and satisfactory
to us through all the years of our
tribal existence. Never have we
had a homeless wanderer during
ali that time, nor are we likely to
have one so long as We continue
to hold our lands as we now do.
We now hold our lands by the
united power of two governments,
general and local. By allotment
we substitute the power of one in
dividual for the power of our local
government. Each one of our cit
liens will then have to employ the
protective power over his realty,
that has been afforded him by the
local governments. In other
words every citizen will take upon
himself the duty of protecting his
home that is now being done by
the combined wisdom and strength
of the Muskogee nation. Not only
80 but he assumes the responsible
ity of coping single-handed with
the avaricious land sharks of the
American continent. Many of the
shrewdest and most enlightened
citizens of the United States are
homeless simply because they
were not able single-handed to pro-
tect their homes from sharpers.
We now have no suits about land
titles, for our land title is not dis
putable and never will be until we
allot our lands. Then the courts
will be thronged with them as they
are in Oklahoma.
We now pay no taxes on our
lands and never will till we allot,
and then the taxgatherers will be-
come as numerous as they are in
Oklahoma. These things will in
evitably follow the allotment of
our lands. | therefore advise you
to weigh and calmly consider these
facts before accepting this treaty.
think it far better for us to stand
firm by the treaties we have and
plead the justice of our cause, by
all lawful and honorable means,
than enter into this agreement.
| fail to see any betterment of
our condition by this agreement.
but to the contrary | can see much
that will be greatly to our detri-
ment. But you have had my views
on this subject heretofore, and |
do not deem it necessary to add
anything at this time. am aware
that the U. S. government is urg
ing US to change our relations with
her and has expended considera-
BILE money in surveying our coun-