Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1883-10-08

It 10 with regret that We are compelled
70 say that there is an element in our
midst which is using it's best endeavors
TO defeat the ratification OF the constitu.
tion at tue polls on the 9th of next
month. This element is not numerically
strong, though it makes considerable
noise. There is no danger Of the defeat
OF the constitution, as there is no we'll
defined opposition to it in the counties
outside Of Yankton county. But, from
this fact. it is to be the more regretted
that the county which received the high.
ct honors the convention could bestow
should contain even disturbing faction.
1t makes 10 feel unworthy of the dis
tinction conferred upon US and we hope
the people will 60 the polls next month
aud administer lasting rebuke to the
ingrAtitude fostered and encour-
aged by few disap-
pointed politicians. There is hardly any
public measure which can receive the
united support of that class of Yankto-
mans commonly known as politicians,
and We have more Of them to the square
acre than all the other cities OF south
Dakota combined. This condition is
one Of the results Of our position as the
seat Of government. Some of the off.
oials who have outlived their term OF
service find themselves falling behind in
the onward march of the advancing hosts,
and instead Of joining the ranks and be-
coming part Of the people, they SIT in
sullep silence while others fulfill their
duty as citizens. They sit in sullen 81.
lence until some important work is to
be copsummated and then their voices
are raised in opposition for no other rea-
con than that they had no part in the
preliminary movements. The disgrunt.
ted element which is leading
the opposition to the constitution be-
longs to the class which never will do
anything for themselves, but expect the
people to pick them up bodily and put
them down III places of honor and trust.
Because the people neglect to do this
their aspirations turn to gall and their
vindictiveness manifests itself in opposi.
tion to the best interests of the public.
The leaders of the opposition OF to-day
have little interest in the welfare of
Yankton. They are actuated by personal
motives and are making themselves the
willing tools of Ordway and his gang by
uniting with the enemies OF prospective
statehood. 1t is humiliating to be com.
PEELED to confess that our city contains
even few who will play into the hands
Of the gubernatorial schemer, one who
would like nothing better than the de-
feat at the polls Of tie
instrument adopted by the Sioux Falls
convention. As such result cannot pos.
sibly be attained. these obstructionists
are making themselves supremely ridic.
ulous by their factional opposition in q
community which of all others should
give one unanimous "aye" to the pro.
position to ratify the constitution. The
representatives of the people in thell
wisdom have prepared fundamental
law for the coming state. They are fully
as wise and . hundred fold moro patri
otic than the objectors who are inaagu
rating conflict simply because they
were not invited to participate in th'
conventions proceedings. The peopl'
of Yankton county owe it to themselve
Ito their good name-to their reputa
tion for common gratitude, to bury be
meath their ballots the unreasonable an,
lunreasoning faction which has risen il
our midst.