Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1885-12-26
JUDGE EDGERT0N's ADDRESS.
Delivered at Mitchell ut the Reception
Given him Wednesday Evening in
HenOr of his Election as United
States Senator

fShatSS
Reported for the Mitchell Republican.
1t IS with feelings OF profound pride
that witness this grand assemblage of
men and women who have met
here tonight to greet me on account of
the cause which in part have the honor
to represent.
1t Is an omen of good, an assurance
that sustains and buoys me up under
the grave responsibilities which in
part have assumed.
A crisis is upon US as people. Our
cause Is the cause of good government,
and the cause OF our enemies that OF
wrong and revolution to the landmarks
of the past and the traditions of the
founders Of the republic.
Never till now have men openly pro-
claimed that new state was to be de-
med admission into the union because
the people differed in politics from the
majority of either house. 1t has been
the uniform history of this country un-
til it has become part OF our common
law that when a territory has sufficient
population, sufficient wealth, sufficient
experience, sufficient patriotism and in
telllgence that she is to be adrltted
into the union. No one disputes but
Dakota possesses all of these qualiiica-
tions. Yet IN our case this guarantee OF
past hlsto,y, this common law of the
land Ii set at defiance, and by whom and
for what? By men who proclaim US as
revolunonists because we claim the
rights always vouchsafed heretofore to
the territories. Webster defines revolu
| Z, on
change in the constitution of govern
ment" Who proposes to change from
the past action OF the country which has
become part of the unwrltten lane
We, or our accusers? I will let the un
prejudiced student of history answer.
In the constitutional convention which
framed our constitution this amendmen
was proposed to the bill of rights: sal
political power is inherent in the peopl'
and all true government ls founded Oh
their authority and is instituted 10
their equal protection and benefit, ant
| they have the right at all times to after
reform or abolish their form of govern
ment in such manner as they may thin
proper" Although the proposed amend
| ment was copied from some older stat
constitutions, yet the majority OF tina
convention thought its enacGment III
wise under the circumstances, az
might provoke the assaults of our enc
mics, consequently 1t was rejected, an
the following inserted in lieu thereof:
Gail political power ls inherent in th
people and ali free government is tonne
ed on their authority, and it ls lnstltul
ed for their equal protection and benet
and they have the right in lawful an
constituted methods TO alter or reforI
their forms OF government in such maj
ner as they may think proper. And th
I state Of Dakota is an inseparable part {
the American union, and tho constit.
tion of the United States the supren
law of the land"
Was there anything revolutionary
that?
II Again the committee ON schedule ha
left it in doubt as to when tho compile,
machinery of government might be s,
in motion, and upon the attention
the convention being called to that fac
Mr.. Haines, distinguished delegat
/ from Turner county, and a present sta
i senator, introduced the following as 9
{ additional section. which after vigo
9 GUS discussion. was passed by ansove
whelming majority:
Nothing in the constitution or sch
dule contained shall be SO construed
} authorize the legislature to exerci
j. any powers except such as are nece
ary to its organization, to elect Unit
> States senators, to provide and pa
z means and measures necessary, prelll
@ mary and incident to admission to T.
d union, and to assemble and re-assemt
Q and adjourn from time to time; Meth
to authorize any office of the executi
or administrative departments to ext
else and power to his Office except Ru
= as may be preliminary and incident
admission to the union, nor to auth'
G. iEe any officer of the Judiciary depa
r. ment to exercise any OF the duties of
- office until the state of Dakota sh
:, have been regularly admitted into t
. union, except such as may be author
ed by the congress OF the United State
Was there anything revolutionary
that?
In obedience to that constitution
/ limited the legislature convened, and
strict accordance with such limitatit
70 elected its senators, then adjourned
IN await the action of congress.
N Was that revolutionary?
N Gen. Logan, in the United States 8
ot ate, last Friday patiently inquired if
was revolutionary tor the citizens o
territory to get together and pres
their claims to be admitted as sti
al they taking care to provide i'll their L
,s constitution that they should not
q state until congress should approve II
~ constitution. He thought it unfair
senators to regard the action in Oak
10 as revolutionary. Until they sho
ve set up state and undertake to perft
the functions of state, and the pos
of statehood, they were not revolut
lists.
When the grand old historic man
d. had occupied the most prominent O
ea in this contry became member of {
we gress from the Plymouth district
ch Massachusetts,, and thought it his q
from time to time to present the |
'ey tions to congress sent to him, his
dy mics called such acts revolutionary.
lrd There never was a grander peti
ice formulated than Dakota's in the 81
of constitution now sent to the
gress OF the United States, and ye
are called revolutionists.
Men who call such acts revolution
tes: will soon awake, like RIP Van wiz
for and find that the people are no lol
aot shouting "God bless King George
III"
W. The schoolmaster, thank God,
so been abroad during the past twenty
10 10 years.
VII Indiapa was admitted in 1916, wit
nn. area OF 33,809 square miles, and p
eat lation of about 100000. after being a
'ot. ritory seven years.
OF Illinois was admitted in 1878, wit
area OF 81, ,410 square miles. popuif
OF 35, ,22O, after being territory
80 wears.