Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1883-08-02
FALL IN!
The State Of Dakota in the From,
Rank.
Ex-Dclcgate Pettigrew Puts the
Situation in Emphatic
Terms.

Chicago Inter-Occan correspondence. July %.
De Smet, d. T., July 25.-I met the
Hon. r. L. Pettigrew here to-day. He
represented tho territory as delegate in
the last congress. He is q pushing, ac-
tive sort of q citizen, and l knew was
just the man to give expression to the
most ultra sentiment that is now tanning
the flames of the rebellion against fede.
raj authority. The term rs not too
strong. Dakota to-day is as ripe for
actual and open rebellion as was Virginia
when the convention of '9S passed the
Madison resolution of defiance.
l threw out q question or two as the
matador fiaunts the red banner before
the bull in the arena. 1t was enough.
Mr.. Pettigrew untolded the plan for
peaceful revolution. as will be shown in
the following interview:
Dakota has declared herself a free
and independent sovereign state, OF
last year." suggested.
ASoS LC bulAS Iulo 10 kOtcIuIucUI
for and by the people. Every county il
August to the constitutional convention
which will be held at Sioux Falls IN Sep.
tember."
"It costs money to hold elections and
conventions. How do you propose to
meet the expense?"
"In many Of the counties the means is
hi, ,,eDrslnS 10 To-
Others the county commissioners are
using the regular election machinery.
and will pay the cost out Of the county
funds, for which scrip will be issued, and
tax raised when necessary. For the
convention will issue scrip binding upon
the future state. Where the counties
have incurred expense they will become
the creditors of the state and will be
paid in scrip. Where the individuals
have furnished the money they will be
the state"
"What will you do with this scrip
finally"
Levy tax and pay it?"
"Well, suppose l am property holder
and refuse to pay this tax?"
"You will have to-" responded the ex
delegate.
But protested "it takes legal pro
cesses to collect takes from an involun
tary prayer. What means will you
state have to proceed against property
in summary manner? Imay appeal tc
the federal government and have 6
United States marshal at yonr heels"
1.-The United States marshals would
be put in Jail if they came here to resist
the lawfully constituted powers of th,
people of this state as expressed through
the ballot box"
"Do you anticipate clash then witt
the federal authorities ?"
THAT depends whether the fedora
authorities clash with u.s.
was somewhat shocked at the free
dom with which possible contest will
the federal power was treated. have
travelled in every state south Of Masol
and Dixon's line, and have discussed
political questions with hundreds
probably, OF southern men, but neve
before had heard the utterances O
such reckless defiance of the authorit,
of our constitutional sire, whose might.
arm has been uplifted as freely to chast
Use as to defend the members of hi
family.
"Ihen," said I, "you are contempla
ting actual rebellion or insubcrdina
ton"
I'VE are not seeding from the union,
he replied, "but we propose to have GU
rights, and come in on an equal footin
with any other state"
You must have some plan by whic
you propose to accomplish your revol
rtionary measures. How are you goin
about it?"
at is very simple. The counties, as
told you, will elect delegates to the col
stitutional convention. The conventio
will frame constitution and provide fo
all the machinery of state-in fac
organize and create state. at IL
November election we shall submit tt
constitution for ratification to IL
people of the state. Ifit is ratified v
shall take it to congress. IT congre
refuses to admit, we shall proceed in ii
spring to exercise our rights Us stat
and congress can do nothing except
deny us representation on the floor
the national legislature. We shu
elect governor and state officer, sta
legislature, establish supreme and ci
cult court, and go ahead"
, "What will become of HE govern
and secretary of state appointed for y,
hy the president?"
"lie shall oust them.'
How, pray?"
"Ihey will have nothing to do. Y
shall not recognize Governor Ordwa
: because we shall have a governor of o
own, which we have elected. We sh,
fail to elect territorial legislature. b
choose state legislature instead. The
will be not only no territorial legisl
ture, but we shall repeal every Ii
5 passed during the existence of the ter
tory. The territorial governor. secretal
auditor, treasurer, and the courts W
< leave no laws to execute. We shall a
l point the present territorial judges stu
judges of our own supreme court.
, business will be brought before the
t except in their capacity as state o
2 Gals, The federal plundereis who ha
g been sent out here to rob us will simr
Il have nothing to do, because no one "
approach them on official business. Nc
l. You see how we propose to set up
X ourselves. We will in this way oust
territorial officers and courts, but v
not interfere with the United Sta
marshal, or the land offices. Ordw
# and his crowd may 60 back to the eas
!. What grievances have you to Just
the revolution?'
ave have been shamefully robb