The Vinita weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1905, 1903-09-03
THE STORY OF ALLOTMENT.

tlly cola Splflb OF NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
with a pretty bit Of tropical sem
timent, it was ordered by the
executive that, in awarding al
lotments to these captive" wards
of the nation, 1.-THE work should
be conducted under the delicate
supervision of female authority.
The process was attended with
not a little of that touching pa
thos which usually shows itself
at the downfall and dissolution
of old national communities.
Nothing could surpass in dra-
matte effect the sight of those
terrible men, whose warwhoop
so lately startled the settle
ments, and defed the armies of
the United States, each now
marching off quietly to his APP
pointed place of abode, and set
tling down peaceably to the
usual conditions of American
citizensnip-all under the di-
recting finger of a little, win
some white woman. II was a
scene well deserving a place up
on the pages of enduring his
tory.
The hattering success that
attended this initial experiment
among the unsettled tribes of
the west, had the effect to raise
the allotment policy to the very
highest pitch in popular favor.
1t was urged upon congress
with the most persistent impor-
tunity, especially by the western
states. These states, in press
ing their desires upon the at
tention of the federal govern
ment, maintained that all con-
ditions should be either ignored
or regarded as immaterial; and
that the FIVE civilized tribes,
Notwithstanding their high state
of civilization, and many COM
plicated interests, should be al
lowed to form no exception to
the general rule in dealing with
that, being Indians,
they were, at least technically, |
only wards of the nation,n
and. as such, had no rights,
however solemnly guaranteed, |
that the government was bound |
10 respect; that all treaty agree
ments with them, and patents
ssued to them. were, in con-
.emplation of law, only tempo !
AIRY expedients, and had prop /
'rly to give way when crossed
~ the political power of the
lation.
The Indians were the ac-
,nowledged owners of the terri
DRY which they occupied, the
oil being held as the common
of the tribe. The |
.dult portion of the tribes, es-
,ecially those who felt the press
Ire of domestic obligations and
luties, were living in well ap-
homes tastefully en-
,elished with all those adorn-
nents which usually character
ze a civilized mode of life.
These homes, too, they had for
fled with an ample environ
nent of those valuable expedi-
nts which are always needed as
he only sure guarantee against
dependence and want-such as
arms, orchards, gardens, and
'astures, together with the us
.al array Of those miscellaneous
which generally enter
nto the notion of rural conven-
snee and comfort. In a word,
here was nothing lacking TO
these Indians one of
he happiest sections Of human
y in the whole world, but a
easonable degree of compli-
nee with pligbted faith on part
+ the United States.
Now, it can but be very OBJ
ious that an arbitrary process
I allotment like that which
ad just been accomplished
the unsettled tribes, must
ave been quite a different
hing, and followed by quite a
ifferent train Of results, when
ut into execution upon a peo-
le like the five civilized tribes.
he former, in contemplation
{ law al least, had nothing to
90 bu allaftnaat and ~oaII.,