The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1884-03-09
Naming n Territory.

The vast region included In the present
Territory Of Dakota Is about as large as New
York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Massachusetts.
and Connecticut together. Sooner or later it
is sure to he divided into two, three, four. or
more prosperous States. Dakota Is one OF
the finest names we have in our geographi-
cal nomenclature. 1t used to cover not only
the Territory rs 1t is, but also tho whole Of
what is now Montana and Wyoming. In the
event OF further partition this musical and
noble name will undoubtedly be preserved.
II the southern or southeastern counties. tho
most populous part Of the Territory at pres
ent, are first to gain admission to the Union,
they should come in rs the State OF Dakota.
We want no North Dakota and South Da-
kota. Each new State should have indie
pendent individuality In its designation.
There are good names enough for all.
Ono OF the points in dispute. we believe,
between the northern and tho southern coun-
ties, Is as to which section shall bo entitled
to the name Dakota In case OF an agreement
to separate. Tho northern counties, lying
along the line OF tho Northern Pacific Rail-
road, and including some OF tho best wheat
lands In the world, maintain that the Dakota
wheat from the Red River valley and the re-
gion to tho westward has made tho name OF
the Territory famous everywhere. The
n0Ino Dakota is, In Il certain sense, tho trade
mark OF tho most important article produced
by tho region, and the people OF the bonanza
farms do not want to rclinquish 1t to the
southern counties. There Is some forco in tho
objection. Viewed, however, In the light OF
tho immense future Of the whcat-raising in
dustry of northern Dakota, 1t seems trivial
Tho division OF the Territory along the
limo Of the forty.ilfth or forty-sixth parallel
OF latitude Is matter OF the near future.
The infant cities In the northern part have
already contended for the honor OF being the
capital Of the new Territory, the great wheat
State to be. The advantage OF situation is
undoubtedly with Bismarck. a town which
is not only very near tho geographical centre
OF the section, but Is also at the point where
tho Northern Pacific Railroad crosses the
Missouri River. Tho busy people of Bis
marck have taken time by tho forclock and
started Capitol building. Facing the Cap
| itol grounds you may even now buy choice
lots on which the buffalo skulls are still
bleaching. The corner stone Of the edifice
| itself was laid with great ceremony last Sep
TENDER, In tho presence OF SITTING BULL
and tho Hon. WILLIAM NJ. EvARrs.
Ina Washington, letter printed elsewhere
will be found tho very interesting text Of the
first draft Of the ordinance OF 1854. relating
to the nomenclature OF the then unexplored
Northwest. II the original Intentions OF our
classical grandfathers had been carried out,
Sylvania would have been the name flxod
upon the treeless plains of north Dakota,
What Is now northern Michigan would be
Chorsonesus. The citizens OF southern In.
diana would be inhabitants OF Pellsipia, and
the Hon. WILLIAM r. MORRISON would ad-
vocate horizontal reduction as member Of
Congress from one OF the districts OF Poly
pOtamia.
The Senate COMMITTEES on Territories de-
cided on Friday to call the northern part oil
Dakota Lincoln. The idea ought not to b<
adopted by Congrcss. LINCOLN u . good
name for man, but very Door name Cor {
State. There u bettsr reason for naming Z
part OF tho country after ABRAKAH LrNOoLs
than for thus honoting any other American
sinco GHoAas WAsHNovoN's TINA but
nevertheless. II sho~)d not b done. II Con
gress begins naming States end Tsrritorie,