The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1911-12-20
TO ORGANIZE THE RED RACE |
WILL FORM BROTHERHOOD OF
INDIANS WITH zoo, 900 VOTES.
Purpose to Obtain Rights Long Re-
garded Lightly by the Officials
of the United States.

A movement has been started in
Washington by friends of the Indian
| tribes, their descendants and those
whose interests by intermarriage lie
with the Indians for the formation
of the Brotherhood of North Ameri-
can Indians. The movement is being
directed by a full-blooded Indian of
education, professional man resi-
dent in Washington, who does not
care to disclose his identity at this
| time. Discussing the proposed broth
erhoOd of his people he said
1T is our purpose to amalgamate
| the remnant of our race into a COM
pact organization along the lines of
| self protection with a view of COM
| handing and demanding justice at
the hands of the national or federal
government, to bring about a unity
of our people in the exercise of the
franchise as voters and fight for our
rights at the ballot box, where our
numbers can command a hearing.
Hold Balance of Power.
There is in seventeen states of
the union voting population of full
blooded Indians of 93,414. To this
can be added 10000 voters whose
every interest lies with us by reason
Of intermarriage. Then there are
900 Indians who can become yot-
ers upon the payment Of poll tax. To
these must be added 5000 women
of Indian blood in six states who by
reason of the suffrage amendment
to the constitutions of those states
are eRtitled to vote. In the aggre-
gate we have in the seventeen states
nearly 100000 voters, and it may
surprise you and the country gen
orally to know that by this vote when
properly organized, as we intend it
shall be, our people will hold the
balance of power in those states. and
through the method of our votes we
can and will demand justice.
The wrongs of the Indians and
the continued paternalistic policy of
the government, keeping our people
in state of pupilage and dependen-
cy, are the reasons why we are or
ganizing. Our people frequently
send delegations to Washington, but
they never obtain what is Justly due
them. All business in which our
people are interested is handled
through the interior department
but is never treated seriously and is
looked upon as trivial matter.
Purposes of the Organization.
The Dawes act of 1887 gave the
Indians right to citizenship But
Uncle Sam no sooner saw that this
made the Indians more powerful
than he straightway proceeded to
limit these rights of freeborn Amer
leans, and hence congress passed the
Burke act
The objects of this brotherhood
are to teach, obtain and maintain
rights equal to that of any people;
to preserve and perpetuate the an
Gent traditions, arts and customs;
to promote and encourage industry
and thrift; to preserve and to pub
lish records, papers, documents and
traditions of historical value and to
mark by appropriate monuments
places historic and sacred to the
American Indian.
With a perfect organization the
time is not far distant when the In
dian will be able to demand his
rights and just dues from his guard
ian, Uncle Sam, and receive the same
treatment that the white man re-
ceiVes instead of being a humble sup
plicant at the feet of the govern
ment's representatives as he is at
present"