The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1885-04-02

Four weeks ago there was not man north
of the forty sixth parallel who could be
induced to favor division. Now there are
out very few who are not fighting right
from the shoulder for division Lircum-
stances alter cases, and in this case tho
circumstance that has reversed this popu-
lar sentiment happens to be one tostered
and finally eliminated by the press of
South Dakota. 1t is the solidifcation of
the South Dahota forces that has wrought
this wonderful change, the northern wire
pullers being sharp enough to see that
their power has gone and that the sooner
they become separated from the designing
COW counties the better for their waning
prospects. 1t is extremely amusing to
witness the contortionate actions of few
of these northern editors since the ex-
trcmely close shave they experienced on
the capitol removal issue. To die easily
seems an unknown trait of the inveterate
rodomont, but rather the one who can
kick the hardest during the death struggle
is considered the best. We will take for
example an article from the pen OF Coun-
Gilman Richardson, of the Valley City
Times, who has always occupied position
radically hostile to the division of the ter
ritory. In his last issue he gives a part
ing shot at the refractory South Dakota
element, before taking up tho cudgel for
division. He goes on to tell us how mag.
nifcently the south were treated, how ell
gantly the capitol building was furnished
and how gloriously magnanimous every
South Dakota legislator was welcomed at
Bismarck from the time of his arrival un-
til departure. But right in the face OF
all these inspiring features furnished for
the express convenience of our South Da.
kota brethren, the north was snub3ed.
As the Times says, 'These southern mem
bers are jealous of the progress, jealous of
the courtesy, and of the royalty of those
whose aim has been and ever will be to
make Dakota an empire-a power.
Well, that settles it. Jealous of their
generosity, jealous of their courtesy and
jealous of their progress, no wonder they
pray for surcease from contention and
cessation from the manifold flow of ills
that surround us. The reluctant, the tar
dy, the delayed conviction has been forced
upon them that division n-division-com-
plete separation lasting and absolute, is
the only hope that will avail the end
sought-peace--and they say God speed
the work. They bid us adieu with tear
dimmed eye, because they have lost
grip that has furnished them golden shek-
els and gilded prospects. They tear asun-
der the silken thread that has yainly
sought to unite these two foreign substan-
ces into one raft, and as they do SO we caL
witness sour grapes in one eye and ''our
OK is gored' in the other. But their
vision is clearer than before They can
now see the utter folly Of attempting to
build up an empire as whole, and are
willing and anxious to atone for their re-
calcitrancy that has been paid for so
dearly.
With our northern neighbors we say,
God speed the work. Better anything
than these sectional jealousies and faction
al anathemas that are making political
and civil life SO quarrellsome and disagree
able, and better the maledietions of the
entire admission -as-a-whole malcontents
than one day more Of Dakotat legisla-
ture at Bismarck. Let it come.