The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-09

Indian government and the proposed dis
tribution of their lands in severalty will
almost break up the tribal relation. For
this reason the full-bloods who cling to
tribal traditions and stand on what they re-
gard as their aboriginal rights, are threat
ening to pack up their belongings and
move to Mexico, and they have selected
Colonel Wisdom in advance to lead them.
Such migration would have no special
significance beyond sentimental one. The
Indians are not particularly good citizens
and can easily be spared, but there is some
thing pathetic in the idea of their making
another removal, and that btyond the limits
Of the United States. They have already
moved several times, some from one part
Of the country and some from another.
When the Indian Territory was established
in 1888 it was thought that would be the
permanent home of the tribes sent thither.
AT that time there was no indication that
tho tide Of white immigration would pour
into the Southwest as it has done or that
the Indian Territory lands would ever be
demanded for white settlement. But the
course of empire is irresistible and the de-
mands of civilization imperative. The chief
of the Cherokees recognizes the present
situation as logical outcome of manifest
destiny. He is one of the few full-bloods
who has advised his people to remain
where they are and accept the inevitable
with the best grace possible. He says:
Wherever the Indians may go it will only
be a question of few years before they
will have to bow to the DEGREES OF
civilization. They can never again live iso-
lated from the busy world. they cannot
go so far that their racial customs will es-
cape the contamination of the white man
touch. When our fathers came here they
were hundreds of miles from the Dounua-
ries of the nearest State. Arkansas mad
not then been admitted, nor Kansas nor
Texas. There was no thought that our 90
main would become contiguous 10 the CIVIL
iZation of the States for centuries. In those
days few people dreamed of the posslDlll-
ties of the United States. What has been
done would have been considered lmpos-
sible. Our people came out here with the
assurance under treaty rights, that they
would be protected from the .encroachment
of the white man.. Have, these promises
been kept? We ali know they have not. L
do not so much blame the federal govern
ment with its failure to keep It's prom
ises 1t could not have kept them had IL
desired. No government, however power
full can to-day restrain the onward marcn
of civilization. 1t may regulate, but cannot
check.
IhlS c1leI Is III IdNOI u tSSliHS tAAC LII
stitutionality of the law abolishing the In
dian government but he is opposed to emil
grafton If the movement is carried out
it will be an attempt to carry into effect the
doctrine of isolation so long applied by the
United States government to the Indians.
When they moved to the Territory the
United States agreed to protect them in
the enjoyment of their rights as long as
grass grew wet and water ran. The treaties
have been violated in the interests of civ
ilization, and now the final act is at hand.
If the migration occurs Colonel Wisdom
will lead it. He is an eX-Confederate vet
eran, who was appointed Indian agent by
President Cleveland, and, as his term will
expire soon, he will be open to other pro-
posals The Indians have confidence in
him and think he would make a good Moses.
The Mexican government has offered them
large tracts of land, exempt from taxation,
for a long term of years, and seems even
more anxious to have them come than they
are to go In Mexico all kinds of citizens