The Excitement in the Cherokee Nation

The papers from Van Buren, Ark., by last night's mail, says the Missouri Republican, mentions several cases where lives have been destroyed by the National Police. Joseph Swimmer and Stoain, Cherokees of the treaty party, were killed on the 20th, by a party of fifteen mon [men]; the first was shot five times, and the latter stabbed twice through the heart. On Friday night, the 14th ult., Tom Watie, a Cherokee, was killed in a barbarous manner, about twelve miles north of this, in the Cherokee nation. The circumstances are thus stated in the Van Buren Intelligencer: A police party of Cherokees came to the house of Arch Gurtrey, where Watie resided, about the time he was going to bed, and one of them told him he was their prisoner, and that he should go with them; W. replied that he wished to dress himself, and then he would go. As he raised himself in bed he was shot dead, his head split open with a tomahawk, and his body horribly cut and mangled with knives.

It is added that great excitement exists in the Nation, in consequence of these acts of atrocity. The Intelligencer invokes the interposition of the State, or of the United States, to stop these proceedings.

On the other hand, the Cherokee Advocate, avows, that these proceedings have nothing to do with politics, but are the ebullitions of popular feeling, irritated by a long series of outrages, and maddened by the perpetration of one of deep enormity;' and that paper counsels the pursuit and arrest of the outlaws, five or six in number, who have done so much mischief and caused the recent enormities. The Advocate says:

Major Bonneville, U. S. A., arrived Evansville, some time last week, having been dispatched from Fort Smith, by Gen. Arbuckle, to inquire into the State of affairs in that section. Col. McKissick, U. S. Agent for the Cherokees, and Captain Boone, with from thirty to forty Dragoons, are also at the same place, or in the vicinity. Captain Boone was ordered from Fort Gibson, for the purpose of preventing any further effusion of blood, and to afford protection to any person that might desire it. We are glad of their location on the line, under the command of Capt. Boone, a prudent and gentlemanly officer, as they will prevent any unnecessary officiousness from beyond, that might otherwise occur.

But even in the absence of the troops, the citizens of Arkansas have nothing, whatever, to fear from the Cherokees, in their vicinity, as they would under no circumstances, perform

any act to disturb the relations of peace and friendship, so happily existing.

Within two or three miles of Evansville, there are from forty to sixty Cherokees, some of whom, it is said, were concerned in killing James Starr, and Rider, and who have been in pursuit of Tom Starr, and three or four of his associates. The company is doing nothing.

A delegation of four men were sent up yesterday, from this place, to inquire into the condition of things, and to prevail upon the company to disperse and return to their duties, as good and orderly citizens. This we hope and believe they will do."

(->) How natural it is for the spirit of man, when unrestrained, to seek revenge. As it was in the days of Noah, says Jesus, so shall it be in the last days. When the Mormons were persecuted for their religion, in Missouri, the nation laughed! Now the Lord is withdrawing his spirit, and Satan reigns in the hearts of men-to break in pieces the kingdoms and destroy the powers that be. So it is-and so it will be till wickedness and wicked men are swept from the earth.