Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1878-09-13
Concluded from 4th paqe.

~ oko vi teu years Ouly TWO per cent. were
unable to read and write. If Michigan
could accomplish this with only one sec
ton OF school land to a township, Dakota
with its " sections should certainly be'able
to wipe out the two per cent. of ignorance
from among its people. In urging the sub.
Ject OF general education he did not refer to
the higher branches of information, but
was treating upon the diffusion of q reason
able amount of practical knowledge
among all classes. 1t should be
laid down as a fundamental rule
that the liberty of a people could not
be forced above its intelligence-ignorant
men could neither be made free nor KEEP.
free. 1t was therefore of the highest i'm
portance that we be true to the educational
trust given to us, that we be true to ourselves
and worthy # the position we occupy.
A state, a territory, or a kingdom was not
the land. The land was there before the
state was organized. A state was the
people and the institutions of the people,
and the quality of freedom within a state
would be measured bv the intelligence of
those who made the state, for liberty could
not be enforced above common intelligence.
The governor said that he was an old man.
his race was nearly run and his ambition
satisfied. He wanted nothing of the people,
but wanted to aid them in moulding the in.
stitutions of their state. A close guard over
educational ;nfopo.&. -1,1J .....Ia =. A.
best Of state organizations.
The time would come when one-half the
wheat of America would be raised north of
the spot we were standing upon. The future
of the state was thus assured and It remained
with us to create a rightful government, to
so organize in behalf of the people that we
might resist the bad, restrain the vicious
and protect the weak. This was sufficient.
When we attempted to do more we we're
ourselvee committing usurpation. The
sheriff in the performance of his duty was
the representative of the rightful govern
ment. Should his power be inadequate to
the emergency, the posse comitatus lent addi-
tional aid and the next and final step was
an appeal to the military arm Of
rightfal government. All this that the weak
might be protected and the vicious restrain
ed. With intelligence these forces would
work in harmony. To obtain intelligence
protect the school fund. Washington had
told us that intelligence and virtue were
the only safeguards for a republican form of
government, and these elements should be
fostered and lifted up. A great deal had
been said about imitation and contraction
and though the speaker was not going to
wander off into politics, he wanted a word
Or two on the subject introduced. He was
in favor of initiation, and also of contraction.
In favor Of Initiating, wheat, corr and stock,
and in favor of contracting everything the
people were liable to run in debt for. In
fate the articles produced and sold-the
collaterals-and there would be no lack of
prosperity. Contract that which was bought
consumed and the balance would fal; on
the right side every time. No attention
be given tothe political schemes of the
great who did the talking. Initiate produc-
lions and success would come. Initiate ex.
penditures and failure would result. The
true course followed would bring a future Of
which any people, any country might be
proud.
The governors address was listened TO
The close attention which words of
always brings, and when It wa FIN.
ished every listener felt that valuable ideas
bad been given BY the vsassabls speaker