The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1916-02-26

of the American citizens in this dis
trict.
People Against Act.
In his letter Attorney Andrews
stated that he believed that nine
tenths of the free-thinking people Of
this district are opposed to the en-
forcement of the Indian treaty. He
asks why this particular district
should be subject to the czar-like rule
of Russian despot, "Mr. Indian
Agent"
Answers Opsahl.
Attorney Andrews letter to Con-
gressman Lindbergh is as follows:
February 26, 1915.
Hon. C. A. Lindbergh, M. c.,
Washington, D. G.
My Dear Mr.. Lindbergh:
My attention has been called to an
open letter written by J. J. Opsahl
of this city to you with reference to
your position in favoring the modi-
fication or annulment of the so-called
Indian treaty of 1855. Believing
from my knowledge of yourself and
from the newspaper reports that you
had the right conception of this
treaty, hesitated to write you about
the matter because l realize that you
h,,t 1T
let Mr.. Opsahl's letter go unanswered
for the reason that he would have
you believe that vast majority of
the people in this district were in
favor Of the enforcement of said
treaty.
Violates Rights.
Now the facts are, that the only
people who are asking and desire to
have this treaty enforced are the
rabid prohibitionists. While person.
ally do not believe that prohibition
will be a panacea for all ills of the
Christian world, still have no quar-
rel to make with my prohibition
friends for the reason that I believe
that most of them are honest and
sincere. However, the enforcement
or non-enforcement of this Indian
treaty should not in any way be a
question of prohibition, county option
or ones personal views on the liquor
question. I feel that nine-tenths of
the free-thinking people of this dis
trict outside of people interested in
the liquor business, or the rabid pro-
hibitionists, are against the enforce
ment of the Indian treaty for the
reason that they believe that such
enforcement is absolute un-American
and violates our rights as American
citizens.
Garry Guns and Knives.
We object to so-called Indian Off
GERS who carry guns and knives in
their belts, arbitrarily searching our
dwellings, our private property, or
holding us up on public highways,
upon the mere suspicion that we may
have intoxicating liquors in our pos
session. The chief of the Indian
agents testified on the witness stand
that if he believed or had suspf-
cion that intoxicating liquors were
within a mans private dwelling, that
he had right as such agent with
out a search warrant or other pro.
cess to forcibly enter such dwelling
to investigate if such liquor was in
reality there.
Against Personal Liberties.
How in the name of Washington
Jefferson or Lincoln, can this pos
sibly be construed as in any manner
living up to the Constitution Of thu
United States or the Declaration o.
independence? In what way do thu
people Of this district differ from peo
pie living in other parts of the Unit
ed States? We believe that we ar
ordinary common individuals who ar
capable of self-government; that WI
live, sleep and eat as ordinary human
beings and for that reason are no
wards of the government. Nor d'
we need the governments protection
to the extent of violating our per
sonal liberties.
Not for Indian.
We believe that we have a righ
to eat and drink what we pleas
within our own homes and that if w
personally prefer case Of beer to
case Of grape juice, that it certainl!
does not violate any provisions Of th'
.- Cont,+,+ior ~ +hio conntrv Mr. On