Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1898-06-02
THE INDIANS HARD LOT.
The FOOTBALL OF CIVILIZATION,
NOBODY RESPECTS HIS RIGHTS.
"Too-qua-steeoDilates upon the AnOm-
alous Condition of the Indian in
Washington-Th Treaties a Volume
of False Promises.
WASHINGTON, u. c.. May Is, ls9s.

now has a hard time OF 1t In Wasn-
ipgton. He is looked upon here
somewhat as an outlaw-not IN
de.d d criminal that is not what we
mean exactly-but as man whose
rights (if he can be said 10 have
any at all have no reliable foun-
dation in law, a man who is polit-
lically Just what he is, and has
what he has, merely as a matter
of sufferance; man whose status
in the world is only a question of
public policy; thing which may
be this today, and that, or some
thing else, tomorrow, just as the
popular choice may chance to re-
ouire at the hand of arbitrary leg
islation. His condition, from a
legal standpoint, is truly anoma-
lous; it seems especially so in a
land like this, where We have a
right to claim and expect for him
a state of things much better than
this-where, for instance, the light
Of civilization is so bright and
pervasive; and all the fine human
| tiles suggested by the divine law
are thought to bloom and fruit so
| grandly.
There is something curious in
all this; something truly unique.
There is no class, or race, of
men now on the earth who, when
ihey come up to the seat OF gov
eminent on errands of business,
have to contend with an array of
disadvantages so formidable as
those which, on such occasions,
usually confront the Indian. II it
be citizen of the United States,
bis power of the ballot invests him
with respectability, and intra duces
him at once to favorable attention;
il a foreigner, the backing which
he has from his home government
throws around his person the
charm OF safety and shelters his
rights under the aegis of law; if a
stranger from the islands of ocean,
he is received with demonstrations
OF cordiality, and, when civiliza-
ton has done parading him as a
proud trophy of its own mission
airy benevolence, he is dismissed
and sent back to his wave washed
home loaded with gifts and god
speeds.
But how is it with reference to
our own continental indian, the
man without a flag behind him;
that familiar football of civiliza-
tion, whose importuning presence
al the capital comes up more in
the nature of an indictment than a
compliment?
There is, and has been for a
long time, something of a contro-
versy between him and his Great
Father at Washington; and he
happens TO be in the predi dicament
OF one of those unfortunate sons
from whom paternal affection has
! been = isi.s, re.sn, and yet Of whom
are expected nevertheless the us
ual manifestations of filial devo
tor. Consequently when he comes
to Washington TO make known his
wants and grievances, the business
of his cause is but a secondary
matter, and usually insufficient to
secure him suitable hearing. The
first question which he has to an
swer is, "How much are you dis
posed to concede?" He must
needs bring along with him a bas-
ket, or some such thing, stuffed
with conciliatory concessions; 9th
erwise he forfeits the pleasure, as
well as the advantage, OF a cordial
reception at the parental mansion.
The government, wisely, or un-
| wisely. early adopted the policy of
fdealing with the Indians as with
/ men; that is TO say, in matters of
intercourse, it respected their
rights and, in reference TO them,
generally deferred TO their wishes
This practice was certainly fair
and honorable; yet, it proved to be
the origin of all the most perpleX-
ing problems that have been met
with in the administration oil IN
dian affairs. During the first
years of Its existence, the govern
ment, in getting along with the In
dian tribes, endeavored, in general.
10 proceed on the theory OF AMIGA
bic agreement; instances of abSo
lutte coercion, though not entirely
unknown, were rare. Many trea-
ties were made with them very
solemn in form, and aboundiDg in
guarantees purporting to endure
forever. But the arrangements
with them attained in this way
We're not generally in accord with
the aggressive spirit of the white
population; and however satisfac-
tory they may have seemed TO be
at first, they soon came to be re-
garded In every instance, as Sc
rious obstructons in the way of
legitimate emigration. Popular
clamor arose denouncinp them as
nuisances and demandino their
abrogation; and the government
never failed to find itself, ia due
time, confronted with the alterna-
tive of either allowing these trea-
ties to be shamefully overridden
by the lawless multitude, or to
save It's honor by securing AMIGA
bic concessions from the Indians.
This practice, from a moral point
of view, proved to be correct, in
many instances, only in theory;
Tor many of these "amicable" con-
cessions were obtained by the most
CALLING of coercive measures. In
deed, the most of these so called
treaties seem to have been made
Tor The sake rather of guarding the
good name Of history. than for the