New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-12-18
TILE ADMLSSLON OF DAKO1A.

THE 1DWISSION Or DdhOIi.
Senator Butler, of South Carolina, probably
cot more information than he desired yesterday
on the question of DakOta's right to be adj
mitted as a State Inspired by partisan motives
he introduced a resolution on Wednesday
calling for an investigation "under and by
what authority a so-called State Legislature
had been organized IN the Territory" stating
that it was a revolutionary proceeding. lie
was fully and fairly answered yesterday by
Senator Harrison.
Instead of its being a revolutionary proceed
ing, the method adopted by the people OF South
Dakota to secure justice is inst rs orderly as
any other method. At least twelve OF the
States took precisely that course to obtain
admission into the Union. Indeed, some OF
them went much further. The people OF part
of the Territory of Michigan organized them
selves into a State and completely overturned
aud wiped out the Territorial Government.
Without whiting for any Act of Congress they
put their State Constitution into ELECT ana
sent their Senators and Representatives to
Washington to demand admission. jackson
was then Prcsidcnt,and if it was revolutionary
act on Michigan's part, asSurcily he would nave
discoy cred il. On the contrary, he agreed Win
Benton that no dsrcspcct was shown. and the
REPRESENTATIVES sent to Washington in that way
were admitted The case Of Arkansas was SIM
liar. Buchanan said that if there was anything
wrong or unusual in ii, Congress was To Diane
for having failed to act sooner. Tennessee as a
Territory organized itself into n State. ana III
formed the Government when 1t would put It's
State Constitution into effect. The Nencratcd
Jefferson approved that course though no
enabling act had been passed Minnesota came
into the Union in Il similar manner. California,
Oregon and other States organized before me
passage of an enabling act. 1t Is entirely clear
that the people of South Dakota have not only
the very best preCedcnts for their course, but
their method of securing justice has been
approved by such Democratic leaders rs Jcller-
son, jackson and Buchanan.
If this does not satisfy Senator Butler and
those other Democrats throughout the country
who are trying to raise an issue with the honest
pcople cf Dakota in order TO find IN excuse Tor
continuing denial of Justice To them, nothing
will satisfy such critics. According to piccc-
dent, reason and Justice, an enabling act Tor
South Dakota should have been passed long
ago. That pait of the present Territory has an
area greater than that Of Ncw-IOlk by
$4,000 square miles. 1t has population oi
2G2, 900, greater than that of several OF the
existing States, and much greater than that
required heretofore for admission as State.
The people, both Democrats and Republicans
are almost unanimous IN asking admission.
They have outgrown Territorial organization.
1t is rcpressive and inadequate for their present
/ needs. Yet because the Territory has shown IN
the past a Republican majority the Democrats
deny the people their rights, and, like Senator
Butler, attempt unjustly to throw the odium OF
revolution" upon them. Certainly Senator
| Butler is one of the last men who should have
! engaged in that undertaking.