Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1885-03-20
Dakota Day.

New Orleans Times-Democrat: The
ceremonies attendant upon the formal
opening of the Dakota exhibit yesterday
were attended by a large concourse of
people, who came away delighted both
with the exhibit and with the manner
in which it was opened. Many eloquent
speakers were there and each was
warmly appreciated by the audience.
The address rendering the exhibit to
the management, made by Col. Donan,
was a model of its kind. Opening with
a few witty remarks, making a SOFT of
broad burlesque upon the indiscrimi-
nate eulogies sc often pronounced by
orators, he elected hearty bursts of
laughter and applause from his audit
ors. But it was when speaking of the
right Of Dakota to a place as a State in
the Union that Col. Donan aroused the
enthusiasm and won the sympathy Of
his hearers and impressed them with
the justice of his plea: Not one of his
hearers but agreed with him, not one
but that at the conclusion of his re-
marks deplored and condemned the pet
ty political complications that have
hitherto debarred the people of Dakota
from the exercise Of those rights with
in the Union to which they are clearly
entitled.
The address admirably served a
double purpose; as an address opening
the exhibit it was most eloquent and
brilliant; as a plea for the admission of
Dakota to this great Union it was for
chile and convincing, and had a telling
effect.
One man who has served zealously
the cause of Dakota's exhibit at the FIX
position was missing from the platform
yesterday. This man is Alexander Nc
Kenzie, the United States commission
er from Dakota. From the earliest in
ception Of the Exposition hehas worked
energetically and continuously to Sc
cure for Dakota such an exhibit as
should properly represent her as she is.
He has begruged neither time nor mon
ey in the work. Long before the peo-
pie of the Territory or the Territorial
Legislature recognized the vast impor-
lance OF such an exhibit he was quietly
and unostentatiously working for its
success. 1t is largely to his exertions
that the admirable display here made
is due. Ably represented as he is by
Acting Commissioner Flemming, it is
a matter for regret that Commissioners
Mckenzie could not yesterday attend
the event which crowned his labors,
the opening of the Dakota exhibit.
The entire address of Col. Donan will
be found in the local columns, and will
be read with pleasure, not, alone by the
people Of Dakota, but by the people of
the entire Mississippi Valley. His gen.
erous and sensible expressionsi in regard
to the Improvement Of tie great natur-
al highway, which is the pride Of the
Valley and should be the pride Of the
entire Republic, found a hearty and en-
thusiastic response in the heart Of eve
ry Louisianian present. If there were
more Col. DOMAINS there would soon be
an improved rivera great national
highway, from the Gulf to Cairo, for
ocean steamers of twenty feet draft,
and throughout the length and breadth
of the Valley peace, contentment and
prosperity. BY all means let the grand,
marvellous Territory Of Dakota be adj
mitted into the galaxy Of States, and
let it's thrifty, Intelligent and arprecia-
tive people send their young and gifted
citizen, Col. DOMAIN, as the first Hepre-
sentative Of the thirty-hinth State.