Chronicles of Oklahoma

can arms. In the World War, many Indians received the
Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in
battle. The first French Croix-de-Guerre with Silver Star
citation awarded to a citizen of Oklahoma was given to
Joseph Oklahombi, a full blood Choctaw. As warriors,
we give the Indians their places among our outstanding
soldiers. We in Oklahoma are proud of that superb scout
and leader, Apushmataha, who led his forces under the
command of Andrew Jackson. We are proud of Stand Wa-
tie, whose Indian troops followed the battle stained banner
of the Confederacy. There are still among us Red Men
who rode stirrup to stirrup with Theodore Roosevelt in
the Spanish American War. From a standpoint of patriot-
ism and valor, the Indians have no superiors.
Our pride in individual Indians whose names stand out
in the history of our State is not limited to warriors. In
the tranquillity of peace, the Cherbkees gave birth to an
American Cadmus. Sequoyah invented an alphabet by
which the Cherokee Indians were enabled to write in their
own language. Intellectually, the Indian has shown powers
of concentration above that of the average white man. In-
dians have won high places in the councils of our nation.
One of them at present is Vice President of the United
States. One of them is the author of the most advanced
banking system in the world. Another is the greatest phil-
osopher and humorist of our age.
The Indian by nature is agreeable, kind to those with
whom he is associated. He is possessed by a depth of un-
derstanding and a disinclination to force his attentions upon
anyone who does not invite them. Calm, dignified, intelli-
gent, and courageous, he is responsive to the rights of
others. He is stoical, undemonstrative, but capable of the
most enduring friendship. Indian loyalty is unchangeable.
These characteristics of the Indian properly developed by
education contribute to the intellectual and spiritual life
of our nation.
This raises the question, If the Indian has all of these
characteristics why has he not as a race progressed equally
with his white brothers? Why are we still confronted by

an Indian problem? Why are many of our Red Men pen-

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