The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1919-12-28
KNEW
ABOUT POLITICS
Downing and Union Clans
Were the Tribal
Clans.

TAIrLEQUAH, Okla. Dec. ~
| Tho two political parties once domi-
nnnt IN the Cherokee nation have
hoen referred to by those unfamiliar
with Cherokee Affairs. Az the demo
! cratic aud republican parties of III"
nation Tho Idea was that the Down
ing party was similar tn IN" d'iu"-
| cratic, and the nationals Hlmilhr 10
! the republican. Az "A matter uf Ih'i'
neither could bo appropriately des-
n,natcd as democratic or republican.
For few yshrs following the 'I"Ho
nr tho civil war they could have in
some extent been 50 designated but
not Tor long
At the close OF the civll war the
majority of the Chcrokces who had
! adhered TO the confcdcracy became
members Of tho Downing party,
while those who had been allied with
the forces OF tho union became mem
horH OF the union party, also known
as tho Ross party and lator the ma
| tlonAl party hut within "A few years
many Cherokees who had fought he
meath the flag ~ the republic Joined
the Downing party. and both es-
confederate and union thcrokees
cast their yOtca for the candidates or
this party. Had It been possible at
tho time for the Indians to have
voted In the national elections thore
wOnld have been republicans as well
as democrats In tho Downing party,
as well ny In tho national party,
Not many wears ago, a short time
prior to statehood. whom republican
clubs were formed, there were many
| l.n haa t. tAV
attended tho meetings regularly, gave
the democrats Tits" at every oppor-
tunity But as soon an statehood
came many OF these erstwhlle repub-
| licans hastened to align themselves
with the democrats There are men
! now living In Tahlcquah. ns well as
] elsewhere In this section who now
are known as strong democrats who.
In tho days OF the Indian Territory
were careful 10 call attention to
their rock-ribhed republlcanlsm
| And. too, there arc some who once
called themselves der0ocrats who arc
now 10 be found affiliated with tho
| republicans.
The political coat was often turned
In tho days OF the Cherokee nation.
Particularly In this true Of the latter
years " the nation. when the shadow
! w FihlFHbtN H'kti W IAll hITbhA lne
| political horizon Men who had
been stuinch adheronts OF the ma
| tional PARTY often changed politics
over night and lined up with the OPP
! postte party And dyed-in the wool.
/ hard shclled nowningites oftc II
( "foppcd' aud fought In the ranks
| of the nationals. Some times men
who had been elected to office by one
, or the Othcr OF the two parties rot
such taste OF political pie" that
/ they desired To hold on indefinitely.
. but falling to receive recognition in
I the nominating conventions became
! disgruntled fastened to join the
7 other party"T This was done so often
/ that there was considerable com
I plaint made by lifelong mem hers Of
tho parties that recent converts were
/ treated far too we'll, In that they wcre
I made candidnts for office while
others who had been I'm limo for pre-
/ Torment were left out In tho cold A
/ numb Of men of considerable
prominence changed their politics ns
I though changing garment In the
latter days OF tho nation one ot
them was capt Sam Smith n leader
among the fullhlood Indians lie had
commanded n company or union
Nhernkecs In the We time. but be
came "A member Of the Downing
party, was elected 20 tho position OF
assistant chief when joel l.. Mayes
made his first campaign for tho
chieftaincy II is said that smith
was promised the nomination as
principal chief IN the election follow
ting. but the promise WAS forrsttcu
Hni NaNcs WAS again nominated
This action made Captain smith
warm under the collar and he fuitH-
with turned over to the national
party. and Notwithstanding the fact
that he had bitterly opposed that
party few years before. he was
elected tu the senate and became
"rfeslicut ~ hat body And very
prominent man. who made eho race
Tor 7ho ,hlrt'aiuCe. - tho nominee
OF the uHttuuals. Joined the Down
inTS f'w years before the dlSso-
luton ot tho Cherokee government
and was elected ~ tho senate rv
mat party Instances could be null
'iplird. out enough have been given
to prove 'H3t the Downing ana ma
uouJl parties 90 Tho Cherokee ma
zion were not ~ an similar to the
republican ana democratic parties
~ ,he United states
oscar >I.NCIE RETURNING