St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-01-08
wELL-BEHAVED CHPPEwAs.
Minnesota Indians Who Are Thor
oughly Loyal.

Special to the Globe
WHITE EARTH, Mimi. Jan. I'm
your issue of Jan. 1, l notice an article
relative to the fighting equipment of
the Chippewa Indians" In justice to
my race and to one of the most con-
servatively loyal and peaceful com
munities of this or any other state, per-
NIT we through your columns to as
sumo the pleasing responsibility Of
branding tilat statement as slanderous
aud cowardly imputation on the radical
fealty and generous loyalty of the Chip
peWa Indians, feature which has ever
characterized their devotion towards the
government and its institutions, espe-
ciaIly in its hour of need and
peril, as any person conversant with
the history and events of this state dur
ing the late War of the Rebellion can
testify. What men did more cheerful
and patient duty than did the boys of
the gallant Ninth, Fourth and Fifth
Minnesota and other regiments, many
members of whose companies were COM
posed of our Chippewa boys, and who
were not compelled, as subjects, to
carry arms for one side or the other.
either. No, sir, if the Chippewa In
dians possess firearms they were legally
purchased, ana at the instance OF hon
est, honorable and conscientious Chris
tan motives, and to aid in procuring
game for subsistence, and not. as per-
nicious influence would lead the public
to believe, for a felonious or fight
ing, purpose" Furthermore. while
we unfegnedly deplore the sad muta-
ton of fortune which has befallen the
people of the Sioux nation, and all of its
cruel attendant circumstances, we would
have it understood that it is not the pur-
pose of the Chippewa Indians to resort
to Fighting" with firearms for the set
Element of any grievances that may
arise, but in the future, as in the past.
to submitssuch matters to due course of
arbitration or adjudication in the
courts of the country. And it is mat
ter of congratulation to the Chippewa
Indians of this state, who number some
5000 people, that within the past two
decades (twenty years or more), no in
stance is recorded wherein any of them
weapons to deprive felloWman of his
lite! Can any civilized Christian
community of a like popula-
ton produce as clean a record?
In conclusion, l would ask that the
rumors which have been circulated
abroad duplicating Chippewa Indians
as participating in ghost dances, and as
being affected with the so-called Mes
siah craze, are likewise false, and but
but the vain, delusive asperSion of dis
reputable influences.
The greater portion of the laboring
people of the White Earth. Red Lake
and Leech Lake reservations are now
busily engaged in the different reserya-
ton logging camps cutting dead and
fallen timber. AS whole, will ven
ture the prediction that the Chippewa
Indians are as well-hehaved, peaceable
and as zealously industrious in the pur
suit of their several vocations, as loyal
in their allegiance and as magnanimous
in mind and heart to-day as any COM
| munity who may boast Of an earlier,
though not better code of civilized pre-
cepts, in this, or any other state of our
glorious Union. Yours respectfully,
THEODORE ii. BEAULIEU.