The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1885-10-02

CO0RresSMeh, WnIie come lake tnc advanced
ground that in case congress shall
refuse admission the state shnii con-
tinue to exercise the same powers
as other states. In general, however,
the delegates agree In the main upon one
thing, that it is to be taken for granted that
when the senators and representatives to be
elected the coming fall shall knock at the
doors Of congress for admission, they will be
admitted, and that the territory will secure
the long-desired boon of statehood. There
IRE but q few, SO far as can be ascertained,
who are in favor of taking any other course
than acquiescing In the decision of congress,
after all has been done that can be lone for
admission The question came up this after
noon when the convention in committee OF
the whole was considering the report of the
standing committee on the bill of rights.
INTRODUCED By Campbell.
When consideration of the report was
nearly completed, Hugh j. Campbell OF
Yankton introduced the following additional
section, which he stated was q verbatim
copy from the Pennsylvania constitution of
1870:
All political power Is inherent in the people
and all free government is founded on their au-
thority and is Instituted for their equal protec.
ton and benefits. and they have the right at all
times to alter. reform, or abolish their forms of
government In such manner as they may think
proper.
This brought Neil, of Grant county, to his
feet, with the statement:
I don't like the word abolish. I object to the
revolutionary scheme OF aboltshjnR any form OF
government.
I Introduce the section because 1 think it
peculiarly adapted to the present state OF affairs
in Dakota" replied Campbell.
At this President Edgerton, who had been
sitting quiatly on the floor of the convention,
rose, and in q calm, determined voice, spoke
as follows:
Idon't know that l should say a word on this
occasion, but II has been intimated by the mover
ration rests upon the peculiar relations that we
this day occupy. In other words, while Dakota
Is q territory and knocking at the doors of the
clare to that government that We have
2 right to abolish that form of government, and
! protest a againss the declaration. |.
we should present to congress a constitution
which will receive the appreciation Of congress-;
to appeal to. them, not declare that We shall
form OF government: and I think, with sdch
sentiments expressed, we will fail to accom-
congress, and show congress that we have con-
formed to all that is required at our hands: that
we have sufficient population and sufficient ter
law abiding; that we have fulfilled its require
ments, and therefore we ask, as law-abiding
citizens, that 1t shall emancipate US from a ter
rttorial form Of government; but that we don't
come before y as rebels, with the statement
that we have the absolute right to abolish our
territorial form of government.
While the judge was speaking, the hall
was still as death, and every delegate
listened with bated breath to every word.
CAMPBELL Defends HIS POSITION.
When he had finished Campbell arose, and
spoke excitedly as follows:
TkawA = TINA NJ Dra.{da~k ~ ..,.N.
sentiments as were Just now presented to us
from the lips of our president, were considered
.9sdi .s lnd sae oP TSsis on. doctrine tims S WAS c !,
thought to be revolutionary to say that the
powes Of the government rested upop the .u-
t thor OF the people. and sir, from the time
gtata, from the time tho constitution was
adopted by the people. and from the time the
which our forefathers did not hesitate to say.
In the face OF the government 1t organized, that
tho government Was based upon the authority
OF the people, from that time to this l have
never heard that doctrine disputed, and I hope
the time will never come when the people OF Da.
kota will have less spirit than did their fathera
states sayg There arc many men here whose
boards are getting gray, who were boys In 1850.
who remem Der that when the Democratic con-
Rnsss, to whom come men would have us bow
vse,iad have Us bend the knee
were not people Of the American government.
What did congress say to the people of Kansas
Non have no power to act until we grant that
power" And what did they do? They turned
ent their legislature and forced down their
throats the Aecompfon constitution. At the end
tof that administration that party went out OF
power and did not return for twenty-four years,
And what did the people of Kansas do? They
hurried back to congress this declaration, andyou
ssili ind At embodied in almost every constitu-
tion that has been adopted. II this declaratis IA
ia treason, l pray God that l may always be a
Traitor.
Judge Eagerton then made a personal ex-
p!anation to the effect that he objected 10
the.:adoptton of the section from the state.
ment made by Judge Campbell in introduce
ing it, and that he was unwilling to udmit
that there was anything in the present. con-
dition of affairs that warrants any such
course. McCallann of Beadle county gained
the floor at this j%uncture and spoke excitedly
for several minutes, winding up with the
statement that Dakota would better stay out
eOf the Union than go in on her knees.
THE DAkoTIANs LOYAL.
Ward of Hankton then spoke, saymg.
uhe people of Dakota are loyal. Disl0yaiists
usually fight to get out. We are fighting to get
in. II anybody must be charged with disloyal
sentiment to the consultation of the United
states, It Is those who by any method. direct or
.WeSchn 20 there and keep our self-respect, and
not take the part of re~olutiontsts. think 1t is
worth something to keep our integrity. even u
itt,eOsts us ten years Of waiting az a territory.
At this inncture Judge Moody endeaAored
10 pour oil on the troubled waters, and par
italy succeeded. He stated:
Tlle clause referred to woald not bake effect
until the territory became a state. He would
tdisllke TO see 1t voted down or to have the con-
Wention say BY a negative vote that the state
meit that the people have a right to abolish
their formo OF government Is not true. He wished
every sdtizen in South Dakota could become 60
w0fEHd nm fhQf hn ynn1d .A~Ar nuarVv nTnrf RI
secure statehood under the constitution of tho
United States. Thel have the right. He thouNht
arisen. inasmuch as both the president of the
convention and Judge Campbell were laboring
for the same end.
The question to adopt the entire report Of
the committee was then carried by q vote of
40 to II. and the committee rose. Mai.
Kella2n WAS called to the chair, and Judge
Edgerton moved that the report of the com
mittee, with the exception of C%ampbells
resolution, be adopted, saying: Il do this
from q feeling Of solemn duty to my coun-
try. ! ave no personal ends to serve" The
motion was seconded and carried, when
Judge Edgerton called for the ayes and noes
on the adoption of C~ampbelrs resolution,
and began stating his reasons for opposing
it At this juncture a motion was
made to adjourn A division of the
house being called for. the vote
was a tie-3G voting on each side. Maj.
Kellam improved his opportunity to avoid
further confusion by declaring the conven-
ton adjourned. The delegates, at once col
lecting in groups, discussed the situation eX-
eitedly, various opinions being expressed,
the more radical declaring in favor of going
ahead with the state government whether or
no. These, however, were in a very small
minority.
CAMPBELL FURTHER ELuc1DATEs.
Questioned with regard to his position on
the question, Judge Campbell stated that he
introduced the resolution because he consld-
cred the power to establish. alter or abolish