The Vinita weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1905, 1903-03-19
Intermarrled Citizens.

man addicted TO the use OF correct
methods OF thought, and controlled
by the dictates of an honest manly
conscience, but what will, If he be
familiar with ell the facts in the
case, frankly admit that the deal.
iugs OF the government With the
Cherokees, As far as they pertain
to the abolition Of their tribal gov
ernment and the allotment of their
lands, have been characterized in
no small degree by injustice, and
practical absurdities. And this is
nothing but what has been rea.
sonably expected from the ap-
plication of a public policy the
theory Of which is founded upon
the abrogation of solemn treaties,
and the forfeiture OF plighted
faith.
But the latest, and most sur.
prising, display Of unreasonable
ness in the management OF this
Cherokee affair, is the executive
order which has come just now to
the Dawes commission requiring
that body to stay the work OF an.
rolling, and awarding allotmenls
to the white adopted citizens of
the Cherokee nation, At this writ.
ing we have not been clearly in-
formed as to what the cause and
meaning Of this order may be; 1t is
very certain, however, that 1t has
reference 70 some real, or imagin.
ary, defect in the right OF these
adopted citizens 10 share with the
Indians in the benefits of Chero-
kee citizenship. II Is not our in.
tention here to enter into any legal
discussion as to the Indian rights
OF these people; that is, or at least
ought to be by this time, we'll
settled question. Whatever those
rights may be, righteous or un-
righteous, It is now, certainly, a
very late day to inaugurate a
racket on that score. Through the
whole process Of this wretched
Cherokee affair, these intermarried
white people have been uniformly
dealt with by the government as
rightful members Of the Cherc kee
tribe. They have been duly en-
rolled; they we're resummoned TO
appear before the Dawes commits.
sion for the purdose of giving the
government an itegated assurance
OF their having complied faithfully
with all the legal conditions which
we're necessary to constitute them
real Cherokee citizens; this done,
the Secretary Of the Interior ap.
proved the finding Of the Dawes
commission which had pronounced
them entitled to stand upon the
rolls OF the tribe along with the
native born Cherokees.
In view Of such facts as these, II
tho right Of these people 70 the
benefits Of Cherokee citizenship
does not come within the princi
pie OF res judieata, we frankly con
fees TO an ignorance Of the reason
One Of the objects Of this principle
is to prevent the reopening OF ole
settled issues, upon the former set
Element of which valuable invest
ments Of money, labor aud SAM
quine expectations have beef
made in good faith and should no
without the most cogenl reasons
be disturbed. Many Of these whit'
people, encouraged by these favor
able intimations from the govern
menl, have gone forward ant
"filed" on their allotmenis, In
vested their all 10 the soil, ant
executed long time leases, etc
Now suppose, at this late day
these people should be disinherit
ed; such an act would be not onlJ
In conflict with law and morals, /
would convict the government Of
stupendcus piece Of boy's.play
attended With a train Of result
but little short Of inhuman.
The statue Of the intermarriet
whites in the Cherokee nation he
Haas. a lice auaatinss hafara fhi