The Washington herald., 1910-02-14

The most pathetic chapter in Ameri-
can history is being written to-day. 1t is
the attempt to precpitate thousands OF
untutored Indians into citizenship"
! This was the sentiment and the shibbo-
leth that dominated conference meet
/ ing held yesterday afternoon by a dele
/ cation of red men from Oklahoma and
members of the Indian Protective League.
| The session was held at Mitchell Manor.
( on Eandle Highlands the home OF Capt.
/ j. Walter Mitchell. president OF the IN
/ dian Protective League The Indians
/ present 40 the meeting were Eufauia
liarjo, orator Of the Creeks. Chickasaws.
Choctaws, and Cherokees. and his inter
prefer. James L. Gray. Robert Bruner.
of Lyons. Okla, and Cesar Fixicochee.
of Hanna. Okla
Citizenship Not Desired.
Eufaul3 Ha-jo employing the Creek
language, stated has people are in no
sense ready 10 assume citizenship in OK
lah0ma or any other State But few OF
my people can speak the English Ian
guage' ne said, "and they have no
knowledge whatever OF the white mans
customs or laws We would as citizens
become ready victims of the schemers
and sharpers that are hocking 10 our
country"
orator Hsrio added thar under the
present Arrangement in Oklahoma the
condition Of the Indians is deplorable.
Many Of them. he said. have been robbed
OF their lands and animals, and the prob
lem Of living is becoming "a desperate
one
We desire 20 remain wards of the gen
eral government and have protection from
those who would prey upon as When
We were asked 10 go peacefully west OF /
the Mississippi River and give up our I
reservations DO Alabama ana other states. I
we were told the government would pro- /
tect us as long as the sun shines. grass /
grows, and water flows Those we're the 4
words Of the treaty we made with Presi- /
dent Andrew Jackson away back in
the sos.
Treaty Now Violated.
Now the treaty IS being violated and
the government is attempting to get rid
of the red men by turning them over to
the States in which they live. We are
asking only FOR exact justice. and we feel
If the government deserts us, we can ap-
peal 90 the public conscience through that
great medium, the press. and our appeal
viii be heard and public sentiment viii /.
be with Us in our battle for life"
Robert Bruuer said certain law officers
OF Oklahoma are threatening % send
Indian mothers 10 jail unless they allow
their children 90 attend state schools.
We want our little ones To 20 10 gov
eminent schools he declared because /
Ne still have faith in the government of /,
-he great American people. our people
have tears in their ewes. They can
scarcely get food enough 70 live on and
.heir property is being taken from them. l,
We do not believe the people OF the !
East. North and South will permit the
present abuses On continue 4.
Fair Play Urged. /,
Casar FlNioochee, a stsIwar, Creek. in Z
iorsed all his colleagues had said. He
ioes not believe some of the methods 7
pplied 90 Dis people Ia Oklahoma will II
stand the test Of law. and he SAID he /
wants the President. the Interior Depart.
nent and Congress 10 stand by his peo, a
lie for fair play for the red men who C
nee Cwened every foot Of tire entire a
ountry 8
II was decided by the meeting TO re- 81
UeSt the government 10 send commits &
son Of good, disinteresteT men 20 Okla
iona to observe the methods employed
n the treatment of the Indians: To talk
With the Indians themselves. and suggest r
What shall be done for and with them in
ne future
The matter Of presentue the PROPOSE q
ION 10 the government was futrusted 10 ..
apt J. Walter Mitchell. who is the +
Washington representative of tie Creeks. ID
.hoctaws, and Chlckasaws. and a COM s.
littee OF three members If the Indian al
protective League. II was announced
hat a communication has already been n,
emit 20 Secretary Of the Interior Bal ii
niger, asking that the Indians be re- s,
aimed as wards OF the general govern r.,
lert 2,
A petition making the same request is 0
the hands of Representative Bird Nc
uire, of Oklahoma. Ii is signed By Ie
bout l6,C0o Indians Of that State. An D
-her meeting of the league will be held Pc
ext Sunday afternoon tn