The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1915-12-13
THAT TREATY AGAIN.
(By Grand Forks Herald.)

AAAAAA AASAAA4A L AANAAANs
(By, Grand Forks Herald.)
More northwestern Minnesota
cities are being closed under the
authority of the old Indian treaties
of half century ago. The history
of those treaties is an illustration
of the diversion of movements from
their original purpose, and their ap-
plication to things for which they
were not intended. Liquor, has al
ways been the great curse of the
red man ever since he became ac-
quainted with it. It may be said
that it has also been the curse of
the white man, but the cases are
not aparallel. It is a we'll known
fact that when the white mans dis
eases are introduced among the ab-
original races they are more fatal
than among the white. Whole tribes
have been swept away by measles,
for instance, while the disaster
among the whites did comparatively
little damage. So, when the Indian
became addicted to the use of in
toxicants he was threatened at once
with extinction, and the friends of
his race sought by every possible
means to keep the curse away from
him. For generations it has been
unlawful to- sell liquor to an Indian
or to, take liquor into an Indian res
ervation.4 Regardless Of laws on the
subject, Indians did gain access to
liquor, and were, among other
things, often patrons Of low saloons
situated just off the :. reservations.
For this reason, when the lands of
several of the northern tribes were
ceded to the American government,
there were incorporated in the treat
les provisions forever prohibiting the
sale of liquor in any. Of the ceded
territory. The purpose of this was
to keep liquor and the Indian as far
apart as possible. Time has passed.
Because of repeated cessions the res
ervatiOns have grown smaller in area
and in very much of the original In
dian territory the Indian has become,
about as rare as the white moose.
The condition which gave rise to the
liquor clause, has disappeared, so far;
as the greater part of the territory
is concerned: But it has been : de-
cided that the treaties with all their
causes, are in full force, and appeal
has been successfully made to them,
not for the protection Of the Indian,
who is not there, but to make liquor
inaccessible to the. white man, whose
appetite was not considered in, the
making of the treaty. There can be-
little. question, that the whole popu-
lation, white and red alike where
there is any red---will. be better for
the banishment of intoxicating bever-
ages. But it is conceivable that
within a few years the Indian will
have disappeared entirely from north
ern Minnesota. It is certain that, ul-
timately he will have disappeared as
separate .treaty-making power, and
that, if he exists att all, it will be
as a citizen of the United States,
standing on the same basis with our
citizens. It is rather interestingTto
speculate on what will then be the
status, Of those treaties, Il One of the
parties to the contract will have pass
ed out of existence, his estate will
have been administered his Il assets
distributed, and his accounts closed.
Willa1the provisions e of the treaty
then be, enforcihle,9<and If so,,t by
whom? ?gi Or will 8the territory affect
ed then be on the same basis with
other territory, subject in all re-
spects to, the same laws, national,
state, municipal? It will be. be. some some
time before the question presents teit it.
self for immediate decision, but it
will be, presented some, day.
& ~ srn * = -. - s b"