Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1899-06-08
PURELY LEGAL QUESTION.
Position of the National Party
in Present Campaign.

Editor Chieftain:-The Downing
party claim tor themselves the
enviable credit of being the best
civilized portion of the Cherok ee
people; the intelligent, the most
reasonable and reasoning; and,
speaking in reference to the mat
ter of getting along in the world,
the most progressive and nearest
"up abreast Of the times" in short,
from a moral point of view, the
most upright and thoroughbred in
the ways of righteousness, and
whose "breed," (to use the pretty
English of Mr.. Kipling,) is most
worthy of nurture and perpetual
ton upon this poor apostate earth.
Now, we shall make no question
with them on these points; we
will concede all they claim, and
admit without controversy that
the National party is made up of
only Indians, the same old-fash-
Toned, non-progressive fellows
whom the state of Georgia, backed
by the federal government, a short
time ago, robbed of their country
east of the Mississippi; and simply
say that these things do not per-
tain to the issues of this campaign;
but here is the matter of which we
are wishing more particularly to
speak:
1t is by this brilliant show of
themselves, that the Downing
men are hoping to WOO and win
into their camp that large class of
voters known as the white adopted
citizens. But the theory of their
courtship is shallow and contempt
ible; it is not unlike that of the
dude who presumes to win the
hand of a sensible girl by a display
of his cheap jewelry.
Let US now, my adopted fellow
citizen, talk over the situation be-
fore you give into any party your
political adherence; and let us do
this calmly, seriously, fraternally,
in the manner of men, instead of
biased, snarling, brainless parti-
sans; and let US proceed, too, with
an honest purpose to find out, not
only what is profitable, but also
what is right, for us to do. 1t is
highlyimportant that our course in
this campaign should be guided by
a correct sense of what is right and
and just to all parties concerned;
for if we allow personal aggrand-
izement TO be our only impulse,
we shall be in danger of dis
gracing humanity, and bringing
our action down to a level with
that of the swine that contend
among themselves for ascendency
at the slop trough.
The Downing party, in attempt
ing to enlist your fellowship by
10 your presence their
culture and intelligence,
certainly do you a compliment
that is exceedingly complimentary;
and yet, while the act itself may
be ridiculously silly, 1t is the can
did opinion Of the National party
that the acknowledgement tender
ed is by no means overrought. We
know full well that you belong to
the most powerful race of men
that ever Inhabited this planet;
your knowledgeis boundless; there
is nothing in the universe Of ma
ture that has escaped the pene-
trating scrutiny of your science;
the clash Of your arms is heard
upon every continent; and your
power controls the world. From
this mighty race, you have,
in one sense, voluntarily separa-
ted yourself, and, led by a roman
tic desire for a change of afiilis-
ion, sought and obtained a place
and recognition in our aboriginal
community. Coming TO US, as
you do, accredited withevery thing
grand and noble in the history of
civilized nations, we feel that we
are justified in looking to you as
examples of all that is correct and
honorable in connection with the
dealings of men with men; espe-
;ially do we feel entitled to your
attention when we in
yite you to a season OF candid
.hOught upon subjects pertaining
10 your adoption and to those tri-
oalinterests in the arrangement of
which your said adoption has au-
.horized you to participate.
You doubtless understand that
he Cherokees have never enacted,
md have therefore never had, a
general naturalization law. The
'nly cases of adoption that have
sver occurred in due form, have