Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1883-07-04

The general favor with which tie
proceedings Of the Huron CONVEX
ton have been met by the press,
is the best evidence Of their
beneficial results. While everyone,
however little interested heretofore
in statehood, has become awakened
to the just claims of the southern
portion of the territory for admis-
sion, although formerly willing to be
acknowledged the apprentice of the
government, they now, through that
convention, have called upon the
nation under whose instructions it
has been working, and learning to
observe that law which the govern
ment has itself framed and adopt
Dakota as a child. The, people
have remained passively quiet so
long as there was doubt as to the
qualifications prescribed under
which states are admitted; but when
these qualifications have developed
into proportions double and thribble
those required and her population
has grown fiom the required 10000
to 1000, it not only becomes just
and proper that they should demand
admission and assume state govern
ment, but failure or neglect to de-
mand would express that DISPOSE
ton of inactivity and weakness that
has held the people Of other coun-
tries in subsection and serfdom for
centuries. Although the Huron
convention has been a general ex-
preston of the people, their work is
not yet done. That was simply a
meeting to arrange plans upon
which the people might work in I'M
ison and understand each other.
And now that a plan whereby no
conflict need occur has been adopt
ed, it becomes the duty Of every in
dividual, who has the interest of
his state at heart, and manhood
enough in him to desire a position
among his fellows. to take unto
himself all the rights and privileges
of an American citizen, exercise the
influence he has among his neigh
bors aud friends to accomplish the
desired results. The plan of action
upon which the people propose to
operate has been criticised by its
opponents as being revolutionary
and rebelious. But those who have
investigated the matter have pro-
ven the opposite. Instead of
seeding from the general govern
ment and violating that sacred
obligation under which they were
received and protected, we are about
to organize ourselves into state
and ask for that protection and
fellowship to which the constitution
of the United States says we are
Justly entitled. 1t is not a selfish
movement, it is not a party scheme
but it has become a political necessity
equally important to the country and
to the people of Dakota. And
a division which has been looked at
by some as doubling the expenses
and imposing heavier taxes upon
the people is proven erroneous by
The statistics of other States.
The taxes Of Rhode Island, New
Jersey and Maryland arc scarcely
half that of New York. Pennsylvania,
Ohio and Illinois, showing the pos
sibility and probability Of making
less taxation on the people of south
ern Dakota, when admitted, consid-
erably less, than it would be if the
whole territory were admitted as a
state. 1t is also argued to admit as
whole and if afterward it is found
Involvement, divide the state. It
will be much easier to secure a divis-
sion previous to admission than af-
forwards. Now the people of this
county are called upon to think and
act on this matter, and prepare them
selves by the LIST of August for a
rousing expression of their feelings
in the matter by casting full vote
for delegates to the constitutional
convention at Sioux Falls.