The weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Craig County, Okla.) 1905-1913, 1909-03-19
PLIMENTS
THE CHEROKEES
Governor Haskell Pays Glowing
Tribute 10 Cherokee National
Female Seminary.

The following letter received by
Mrs. Eliza NJ Alberty, of Tahlequah,
from Governor Charles N Haskell,
breathes of the spirit which prompted
the legislature, through the efforts
of Senator Landrum to perpetuate
one of the oldest and most important
educational institutions of the state,
the Cherokee National Female sem
mary:
Mrs Eliza NJ Alberty Tahlequah
Oklahoma
My Dear Mrs. Alberty = Knowing
that you are descendant OF the
Cherokee Nation and one OF the first
graduates of the Cherokee National
Female Seminary, it gives me great
pleasure to advise you and through
you all those who aided in the build.
ing and support of that institution,
that the state of Oklahoma has rec
ognized its merit and perpetuated its
history by adopting II as an education
al institution Of the state,
You and ]. as we'll as all those who
are familiar with the history of this
institution, recognize both the prop
riety and justice Of this act Of the
state
When we recall that nearly seventy
years ago the Cherokee people estab.
lished their home in what was then
wilderness, even the borders of
which were remote from other ciyillz-
ed communities, and that the comforts
Of life, as well as the existence Of edu.
cational and even religious institution
We're unknown.
The Cherokee people had no sup
port no aid. no comfort in their work
except that derived from their own
spirit and determination but the
Cherokees were not slow in blazing
the way for educational advancement,
having entered this country and es.
tablished their homes in the year 1899,
common schools were organized with
in two years and the male and female
seminaries, both for higher education
were established In 1916. and opened
for use in 1852. thus created by the
Cherokees. unaided, in this early per.
iod when there was probably no equal
institutions west of ST. Louis. they
were maintained and spread their
beneficial influence throughout the
country almost uninterrupted until
now tho government of the Cherokee
Nation has passed away, and you and
your people are an important and
desirable part of the citizenship OF
the state that has succeeded the ma.
tions.
It is not a mere sentiment, but
simply an act of just recognition that
has inspired the state to perpetuate
the Cherokee National Female semin
airy as one of its institutions of high
er education. and to feel assured that
II the people Of Oklahoma continue
the same proper spirit that inspired
the Cherokee Nation to create this in.
stitution. it will be through all the
future as Il has been during all It's
past, a benefit to humanity and Of the
greatest credit TO the state
The mothers of the Cherokee Ma.
tion for ssyenty years contemplated
this institution with pride aud appre
citation of the opportunities afforded
TO their daughters Let all mothers
of northeastern Oklahoma have just
reason in the future to appreciate It's
continued benefits 10 their children
seeking educational opportunities,
and no other institution of the state
will ever be able to found It's claim
to reorganization upon a history Of
greater usefulness or grander past
than the Northeastern State Normal.
The final passage and approval of
the act above referred to has been ac-
complished by the untiring efforts Of
Senator Landrum. continued through
two sessions of the state Legislature.
and to other members Of the house
and senate who have labored with
him
Not being a member OF the legisla-
ture. my own part has been small,
but my rejoicing with you Is sincere
and great Sincerely yours.
c. n. HASKELL.
Governor