The Evening critic., 1883-06-16
DOUGHTY pAKoTAIANs

tSteu mucn doubt ABOUT the unnnlmtty or the
people Of Dakota In Wish that the Territory
ought 10 bc divided and the southern half I'D.
mitted to Statehood, at least my mind Is clear
Mt this writing. During my poregrlnations
here have talked TO great many Intelligent
and honest men on the subject, and have yet
TO lind the first one who Is not in favor OF both
division and admission.
With view 10 more strongly presenting
their claims 10 Congress for Statehood the citi-
zens OF the Territory have called n conven
tion TO be held here on the 10Th instant, when
the matter viii be thoroughly discussed and
effective steps taken. 10 day met Mr.. John
Cain, tho present editor and founder OF the
Huron UdiiD Times, aud had q talk with him
on matters pertaining to tho future of Dakota.
Mr.. Cain is pioneer, Is we'll posted, and his
words may bo taken as those of q large portion
OF the Territory's citizens; When our conver,
sation turned upon the subject OF divleion and
admission inquired II the people of tho Ter.
ritory continued to manifest an interest In tho
subjects of division and admission.
"Ye5, sir, q very deep Interest,"" he replied.
"Those questions are now uppermost in public
consideration. Dakota has suffered many
Dispiriting DisGppointments
In Its efforts to secure admission to tho Union;
but delay and failure have only intensified
the yearnings OF Its people to partake OF tho
blessings OF complete selfgovernment You
remember how hopeful OF Success wero the
delegates from the Territory who visited your
city during the first session OF the last Con-
gress in tho interest of the twin pct measures
of division and admls sion, until tho day
been reported favorably to the Senate, was
called up for consideration by senator saun.
ders. Unexpectedly, You Will also recollect,
Senator Hale and the bill went back to the
Committee on Territorial Affairs. That was
virtually Its death. AS the prospect of admls-
sion faded, the boon OF division alone was
A Republican Congress
did not seem TO possess the power or the will
to grant that, and Democracy hos assumed
control of Congress while Dakota Is still un.
n
AS have said neglect by the nation has, how
ever, not lessened the anxiety OF the people Of
Dakota TO obtain the rights to which they are
"You believe, then, that tho demand for
statehood is one strongly supported by the
''To deny a people such rs populate Dakota,
whose number is fast reaching a-halt million
"a people possessing intelligence and govern
mental capacity Of the . first ordermto deny
States out of this magnificent, fruitful vast
domain; to keep In practical disfranchise-
ment hundred thousand men who are occu-
pying this new land and adding largely 10 the
Nations wealth by Its cultivatiou; who are
building towns and creating industries; who
are erecting churches In every community
and schoolhouses In every township; who are
law abiding and love their country-to con-
tlnue TO deprive Dakotaians thus is
A Grave Political Crime
OF which free America should be ashamed"
SIS there entire unRnimity among the peo-
pie, both In North and South Dakota, on the
questions Of division and admissions"
Practically, complete harmony prevails. OF
course, objections como from some quarters
Tho recent selection OF Bismarck, in the
North, as the new capital city, has made those
interested In Its growth ambitious to make 1t
the permanent capital of all Dakota. But the
great body of the people Will not lend their
assistance in the enhancement OF Bismarck
real estate. Then there is class who fear
that with two State governments taxes Will be
higher. This class is entitled to respectful
consideration, but the great magnitude and
vast resources of each half Of Dakota demon
strates to one who carefully considers the
question Of taxation that for
The Better Government
which the smaller State will guarantee, the
increase of taxation Will be innnitessimal.
The creation Of large States Is not In conson-
ance with the spirit or the basis OF our system
of government Small States insure the per-
petuity of the National life. Here In South
Dak9ta very intense feeling has OF late late been
brethren across the doth parallel, and admis-
sion without division would not be considered
blessing"
SIS any public effort being made to promote
the cause OF admission?"
'srho country viii be somewhat surprised
doubtless when i understands that tired
for an enabling act, the citizens
of South Dakota are considering
the of cEenng state
such an act. convention for South Dakota
has been called to meet In this city on tho
IN,
question OF calling
A Constitutional Convention
TO prepare a constitution which, II adopted by
the people, Will be presented for ratification
TO Congress early In the next session. The
design Of many of the leaders OF the move
ment Is TO elect under the proposed constitu-
tion complete set of State officers and put
the machinery OF State government In opera
tion, whether Congress acts on ana approves
the constitution or not"
''will not such action constitute rebeillon?"
What is grave and natural question, OF
course. But such mode OF procedure finds
A Parallel
in the organization of Michigan and In case
brought before the Supreme Court of the
United States In which the validity OF an act
passed 9y LegIsiStnre 0a ahat ssate, when n
gress, was passed upon, It was decided tina.
the Legislature was legally created and that
is acts were lawful and binding. The terms
OF the Louisiana purchase. upon which the
question turned, AFFECT Dakota Just the same
ms they did Michigan. 1t cannot be questioned
that Dakota is entitled TO admission 70 the
Union, but have not yet become a complete
convert TO the belief that our people can Gre
ate State, decide upon Its boundaries and
successfully ignore the existence of National
authority. Every true citizen OF tho Republic
should regret that there Is
NO Way OF Compelling Congress
10 be Just to Dakota, but the fact remains
that VIC cannot force our representatives into
the Senate and House of Representatives nor
Into tho electoral college. Force 1t is that
| keeps Dakota out. Right and law demand
/ that II be admitted. But there Is unfortu.
nately no appeal In this case to n higher
power than the National Legislature. How
ever, our people are becoming indignant, and
| there may arise conflict between two local
governments out here. In any event 1t Will be
a peaceful one."
''will the convention to be held In Huron be
well attended, 2"
SIT viii. The membership will be All, and
nearly every county has already held Its con.
Yention and chosen It's delegates. The session
| VIII be of great interest. large proportion
| OF the delegates Will be Democrats, as the
movement is
Entirely Non.Partisau,
and the fact that tho Democrats OF South Da-
| kota are as rule thoroughly in accord with
the Republicans on the question OF Statehood
| ought 10 have some effect upon the Democrat;
In Congress-"
''what is the attitude of North Dakota to
| ward this movement?'
| "As have remarked tho people OF Bismarck
and those who own property there, now that
| sion. so from that city has recently been Is
| sued call 10 the counties OF North Dakota
| urging them % send delegates TO tho Huron
| Convention. AS 1t will be a convention
Solely For South Dakota,
| the coOlness OF the suggestion is apparent. o.
| course there Will not be general response L
| the call, as the great body OF the people of the
| north favor division, but the Blsmarck
| schemers Will run a special train down here
| via 81. Paul, q distance OF 500 miles, and they
may induce number % take free ride"
| "Wlll there he a rOw:"
| ait IS doubtless the design Of the Northern
| ers IN the scheme TO precipitate huge figh
| and thus bring the Southern movement int
| dlsrepute. But thero Will be no row and thel