The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1882-07-27
Our Candidate.

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the situation of territorial politics, We have,
we claim, good excuse for our seeming
tardiness. We are Republican in our
profession, decidedly so, yet we have been
inclined to make no speedy entrance into
the discussion of issues in our new home,
until by an impartial inspection, we could
take stand which, in our judgment,
would be consistent with republicanism
and our own ideas of the wants and needs
of the community in which we have de-
termined to cast our lot. Hence we
have been somewhat behind the average
newspaper in presenting our candidate
for delegate in congress. In doing SO in
this issue we will guarantee our readers
that we will by every respectable means in
our power do what we can to insure the
success of our choice We do not intend
to deal in any gross personalities. Our
aim will be to prove by fair and courteous
argument that we have chosen the right
man. 1t is to be regretted that journals
of our political faith should stoop to the
depths of malicious prcjudices in casting
reflections upon candidate. 1t cannot
be that a, majority Of its patrons endorse
such course, and in our opinion it does
not in the least enhance the chances Of
the person whom it prctends to support.
Many there be who seek the success Of no
particular man, but seem determined to
make a wholesale slaughter Of one indi-
vidual, aimless except as to his defeat.
The remarkable growth of our territory
is unparalleled in the history Of the coun-
try. The increase is almost exclusively
composed of actual settlers, those, who,
mindful of the rare advantages offered,
and the effort required to succeed in older
localities, have come here, some with cap
ital but the majority with limited financial
resources to make this their home, in
vesting what they have, and resolved to
help build up the territory and enjoy in
the future what their toll and deprivations
Assisted by their tenacity, has earned
for them A small percentage has come
to take advantage Of any opportunities
which may be offered in the way Of politi-
cal preferment They are professional poll
ticians Often they are good men, So
cally and morally They are good neigh
bors, kind and obliging, but yet they are
apt, by reason of their Unsuitable desire for
Office, to take little interest in the real
VITAL wcll-being Of a community. They
forget to invest and improve, and in bear
ing the burdens Of taxation. They are
willing to subscribe to charitable objects,
make good, tirst-rate agricultural and
holiday addresses, and are good stump
speakers. If they chance to hold fede-
eral commission they do their duty-most
of them--they are courteous and obliging,
and in fact arc clever fellows.
Yet they know but little of the wants of
people Crop failures and hard times
they have read of back in their eastern or
southern homes, but they never had the
experience OF observation of the majority
of those who are now with US. The fact
is they are not Of the peope-they are
clear of the scars that make the average
yeomen in new country.
They are willing, however, to under
take the task of legislatins for us, and in
every convention that has been or will
for years be held here, their willingness
will be manifest. They might prove
efficient officers, but the question to decide
will be the feasibility of the experiment,
We claim we have men among our own
ranks, men who came here to become and
! remain citizens of Dakota, without any
political consideration, or commission,
upon which the length of their abode de-
pends, who can more successfully and
satisfactorily perform the functions of the
office.
We are not in a situation to advocate
the old settler doctrine, and would not
under any: circumstances, and neither does
our candidate. Every man who is eligi-
ble energetic, capable, deserving, be he a
resident Of one or twenty year $ standing,
fills our idea of Dakotaian, if he is here
for veal or woe.
But we must bring our man forward.
The Sioux Valley knows him well. He is
one of US and his name is Hon. r. F.
Pettigrew.
Flour at $l.S0 per. cwt. at
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