Speech #470049830

My patent was as nothing compared to the superior public right. represeited by the public use which a railroad is recognized as being. The Senator from California asks whether they did not compensate me. Certainly they compensated me for it. and that brings me to this. that everything which a man has is supposed to be at the command of the Government after due compensation made. but it is now asserted in opposition to this bill that these Indian tribes have a right of property superior to the right of any white man in this country holding a tit] e under patent or by legislative grant. and a right of sovereigity which is Sssperior to that of the Governnient of the United States as well. and which is absolutely as much of a barrier to comnmerce as though the Indian Territory were a French possession as it was before the treaty of Jefferson. and that this sovereignty may stand there not only today. but for all time. and say te Governeent and people. "Up to this border you can come with your railroads. with your immigration. with your commercial agencios. with your interstate commerce. your postal routes. and all that sort of thing. but here you shall stop now and forever." I do not care specially. as 1 said. about the ternis of this bill. I do care for the assertion by the Government of its right to penetrarte this Territory in conuon with all other Territories under its flag. within its limits. subject to its sovereignty. within its jurisdiction. with all the agencies which it mayseek to put in motion for the purposes of carrying out the objects of government. I shall propose atthe proper time an amendment to section 4. which I think will obviate some of the objections which have been uttered against this bill.