Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1883-03-31

Dakota Statehood,


The undersigned, who were appointed
q committee by the convention Of the
people Of Dakota, held at Canton, June
4, 1882, for the purpose and with author
ity to call = convention of the people, at
the city Of Huron, ut such tune as they
should designate, to consult upon such
steps as may be right and needful to the
public welfare to take in reference TO an
organization as "A state, believing that
the time has come for the people to
move in this matter, do hereby set forth
TO the people Of Dakota their reasons for
this action and the following call for
said convention.
We ask the serious attention Of the
people to the following facts:
|, That congress-, though earnestly
thereto by our people requested, and al
though it is admitted that the people of
Dakota, south of the forty.six parallel of
latitude do possess the requisite popuia-
ton and for statehood, has
failed to provide for Il constitutional
convention for Dakota or for the divis-
ion Of the same Oh the stid parallel, as
the wishes and interest Of her people
unanimously have demanded.
2. That the last territorial legislature
by a majority ofboth houses, Welding tC
the reasonable demand of the people
did pass an act, as they had full authori
iy 10 do, calling a constitutional ,of,ien
providing the money and machinery
therefor, but that said act has failed t,
become 4 law by the withholding of tn,
assent ofthe governor.
3. The enormous appropriations mad,
by the last legislature, ~aggregating n
much as 100000, demonstrate the fac
that in self.dcfensc Of their propert,
and interests, the people must seek
more responsible form Of government
and that right speedily.
4. That the people Of Dakota have al
undoubted right and authority to act 70
themselvesin the promises, independent
ly Of congress or the legislature. Te'
states Of the union have thus acted, an,
formed their constitutions without
prior act Of congress, and have been nd
mitted into the union under said consti
tutions SO formed. These states ar
Vermont, 1871 Kentucky, 1892; Tenn
essee. 1896; Maine, 1920; Arkansas, 1885
Michigan, 1887; Florida. 1855; Iowa
1916; Kansas, 1861 California, 1910.
1t rests with the people Of Dakot4
themselves TO say when and with wha
boundaries and constitution they shal
become q state.
Congress never has and never will re
fuse to admit a sovereign state into tn,
union when it has the population ant
requisite therefor, and pre-
sents g state constitution, republican i,
form, for its approval.
The people of Dakota are not depend
ent either on congress or the state legs
lature, or the governor, to decide wher,
and how they shalt present their peti
ton for admission.
The means, the money, and the re
quisite machinery for action are all a
your disposal. The only question is, d.
the people of Dakota SO will?
We are in receipt Of communication
from all parts Of the territory urging u
to issue this call, and saying that if W,
do not the people will nov in this mat
ter through other organizations.
Therefore, to give expression TO tn
will of the people, and if such be thei
pleasure, to provide for taking step
toward the organization Of a state gov
eminent, and for presenting TIL
state Of Dakota fully organized with
state government at the next congress
we do hereby, by virtue ofthe authorit
vested in us, call upon the people O
Dakota south Of the forty-six parallel O
latitude in their several counties, to cleo
delegates to meet in state convention a
the city Of Huron on Tuesday, the lot
day of June next, there to consider tn
question:. Do the people of Dakot
de~ive that immediate steps be take'
tnrsnis t'ruloag . s,s,e ssxsHvuinn