Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-06-22
DOUGHTY DAKOTATANs.
Propose to Hold a Constitutional Con.
Vention to Divide the Territory.

l..
IIgent ana honest men on the subject, anC
l nave yet to find the first one who is mo-
in favor of both division and admission.
with view to more strongly present
ing their claims to Congress for Statehood
the cltlzens of the Territory have called a
convention 10 be held here on the 18th
instant, when the matter will be thor.
oughly discussed and effective stems
taken. To-day met Mr.. John Cain. the
present editor and founder of the HurOn
Ddtty Times, and had a talk with him ON
matters pertaining to the future of
Dakota. Mr.. Cain is pioneer. is well
posted, and his words may be taken as
tnose OF large portion of the Territory's
citizens. When our conversation turned
upon the subject of division and admis'
sion, inquired if the people of the Terri
TORY continued to manifest an interest in
the subjects of division and admission.
es, sir, very deep Interest," he
repled. "Ihose questions are now upper
most in public consideration. Dakota
mas sunered many dispiriting disappoint-
nlehIs IN lts en0rts to secure admission TO
the Union; but delay and failure have
only intensified the yearnings of its peo-
pie to partake of the blessings of complete
self-government. You remember how
hopeful of success were the deleoates
from the Territory who visited YOUR city
during the first session OF the last Con-
gress IN the interest of the twin pet meas
ures OF division and admission, until the
day When the bill for an enabling act,
which had been reported faVOrablV TO the
Senate, was called up for consideration
by Senator Saunders. Unexpectedly,
you Will also recOllect, came OBJ
JectIons from a Republican source
senator Hale-and the bill went back to
the Committee on Territorial Affairs.
That was virtually its death. As the
prospects OF admission faded, the boon of
/ division alone was asked for, But a Re-
publican Congress did not seem to pos
sess the power or the will to grant that.
and Democracy has assumed control of
| Congress while Dakota is still undivided
and bound in Territorial thraldom. AS
have said, neglect by the nation has. how
! ever, not lessened the anxiety of the peo-
pie OF Dakota to obtain the rights to which
/ they are so clearly entitled.''
"You believe, then, that the demand for
Statehood is one strongly supported by the
Territory's prOgress?"
ITO deny people such as populate Da-
| kOta, whose number is fast reaching a
half milliOn-a people possessing inteIIi-
! gence and governmental capacity of the
hrst order-to deny them their rightful
| privilege OF carving two States out of this
magnificent, fruitful, vast domain:
! to keep in practical disfranchise-
ment Il hundred thousand men who
are occupying this new land and
! adding largely to the nations wealth by
its cultivation; who are building towns
and creating industries; who are erecting
] churches in every community and school
houses III every township; who are law.
aDldlng ana love their country-to con-
tlnue to deprive DakOtaians thus is a
! grave political crime of which free Ameri
ca should be ashamed"
us there entire unanimity among the
people, both in North and South Dakota.
on the questions of division and admis
sOn?'
Practically, complete harmony prevails.
VI course, objections come from some
quarters. The recent selection of Bis
marck, in the North, as the new capital
city, has made those interested in its
growth ambitious to make it the perma-
nent capital of all Dakota. But the great
body OF the people will not lend their as
slstance in the enhancement of Bismarck
real estate. Then there is a class who
fear that with two State governments
taxes will be higher. This class is enti-
tied 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 States will
guarantee, the increase of taxation will
be lntinitessimal. The creation of large
States is not in cOnsonance with the spirit
or the basis of our system of government.
Small States insure the perpetuitv of the
national life. Here in South Dakota a
very intense feeling has of late been de-
Veloped IN favor of separation from our
brethren across the 46th parallel. and adj
mission without division would not be
considered blessing.
lis any public effort being made to pro-
mote the cause OF admissionY'
"Ihe country will be somewhat sur
prised doubtless when it understands that.
tired of waiting at the Congressional door
Tor an enabling act, the citizens of South
Dakota are considering the adyisabilitv of
creating State government of their own
without the sanction of such an act. A
convention for South Dakota has been
called to meet in this city on the 10Th of
the present month, to decide upon the
question OF calling a constitutional con-
NentlOn 10 prepare 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 movement is to elect under
the proposed constitution a complete set
OF State officers and put the machinery of
a State government in operation, whether
congress acts ON and approves the con-
stitutiop or not"
"Will not such action constitute rebel.
lionY' io''i'
THAT is grave and natural question.
OF course. But such mode of procedure
nnds 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 by a
Legislature of that State, which was CON
stituted without the approval of Congress-.
was passed upon, 1t was decided that the
Legislature was legally created and that
Its acts We're lawful and binding. The
terms Of the Louisiana purchase, up0n
Which the question turned, affect Dakota
lust the same as they did Michigan.
IL cannot be questioned that Dakota
u enutled to admission to the Union,
but | have not yet become a completes
convert to the belief that our peonle can
create state, decide upon it's Boundaries
ana successfully ignore the existence OF
national authority. Every true citizen of
the republic should regret that there is no
way OF compelling Congress to be lust to
bakota, but the fact remains that we can
not Iorce our representatives into the SEN
s, ate ana mouse OF Representatives nor into
the electoral college, Force it is that
keeps Dakota out. Right and law aa-
mand t9at Il be admitted, But taere is
unfortunately no appeal In ttinis case IN a
tgn Algner power than sne National Legisla-
tAag. A9MeHcr, our people are becoming
iilai2h Int, and there may arise conflict
between TWO local governments out here.
In any event it will be peaceful one."
"Will the convention to be held in Huron
be Well attended?"
'lt will. The membership will be All,
and nearly every county has already held
It's convention and chosen its delegates
The session will be of great interest. A
large proportion of the delegates will be
Democrats, as the. movement is entirely
nOn-partlsan, and the fact that the Demo-
Gratis of South Dakota are as a rule
thoroughly in accord with the Republicans
on the question Of Statehood, ought TO
have some effect upon the Democrats in
Congress-"
"What is the attitude of North Dakota
toward this movement?'
''As / have remarked. the peoDIe of
Bismarck and those who own property
there, now that it has secured the capital.
are opposed to division. So from that citv
has recently been issued a call to the
counties of North Dakota, urging them
to send delegates to the Huron Conven-
ton. As it will be a convention solely
for South Dakota, the GOODNESS of the sug-
gestion is apparent. OF course there viii
not be a general response to the call. as
the great body of the people OF the north
favor division, but the Bismarck schemers
will run special train down here via ST.
Paul, distance of 800 miles, and they
may induce number to take a free ride y
"Will there be rowY'
sit is doubtless the design of the North.
erners in the scheme TO precipitate buge
fight and thus bring the southern move
ment into disrepute. But there will be no
row and they will not be admitted to seats
IN the convention, either"
DueIing on the BosDborns