The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1886-01-01

the action In Dakota as revolutionary
Until they should set up as state ant
undertake to perform the functions o,
a state, and the powers of statehood
they were not otrevolutionists.
When that grand old historic mar
who had occupied the most prominent
office in this country became member
of Congress from the Plymouth Dis
trict in Massachusetts, and thought il
his duty from time to time to present
the petitions to Congress sent to him
his enemies called such acts revolution
ary.
There never was grander petition
formulated than Dakota's in the shape
of a constitution now sent to the Con.
gress of the United States, and yet we
are called revolutionists.
Men who call such acts revolutionary
will soon awake, like Rip Van Wrinkle
and find that the people are no longer
shouting God bless King George the
Ill"
The school master, thank God, has
been abroad during the pasttwenty-five
years.
Indiana was admitted in 1916, with
an area of 33,SO9 square miles, and a
population of about 100000, after being
a territory years.
Illinois was admitted in 1878, with an
area of 81, ,41O square miles, a population
of 1920, after being a Territory
years.
Missouri was admitted in 1921, with
an area Of 65 $50 square miles, a popula-
tion of 66,557, afterb being a Territory 16
years.
Tennessee was admitted in 1896, with
an area of Al, 600 square miles, a popu-
lation of less than 100000, after being a
Territory Z years.
Wisconsin was admittedi in 1848, with
an area of 53,924 square miles, popu-
lation of almost 10000, after being a
Territory 12 years.
Minnesota was admitted in 1858, with
an area of $1,000 square miles, popula-
tion of about JAS, 900, after being Ter
tory 8 years.
These statistics may not be absolute
ly accurate, but are nearly so.
The proposed state of Dakota has
within her boundaries as defined by the
Constitution framed at Sioux Falls,
80,207 square miles and is larger than
Tennessee and Kentucky combined
larger than Ohio and Indiana combin-
ed, all noble states and each large
enough. --sar
The proposed state Of Dakota has a
population as determined by the last
census of 263, ,465, more than any terri
tory ever had when admitted into the
Union. More than Illinois, Missouri,
Arkansas and Mississippi altogether
had at the time of their admission.
More than each of four states now has.
Our proposed state has to-day more
free schools, more colleges, more state
institutions than any territory ever
had before.
Dakota has been Territory over 23
years.
Are we revolutionists for asking ad-
or are our accusers seeking to
change materially the rules and laws
to the admission of new
states and proposing to keep us out of
the Union for no valid reason simply
because they have the powerp'
Let the unprejudiced examine the
record. No territory was ever admit
ed into the Union that had served so
long as territory, that had the wealth
or paid the taxes, or has the population
Dakota has.
When the Northwest territory was
added to the Union, prior to the Con-
stitution, in the compact. there was a
condition that out of this Territory
there should be carved not less than
three nor more than five states. The
Territory embraced about
100000 square imiles; consequently
according to the express terms of that
compact, binding upon us as sacredly
as the Constitution Of the United
States, there was an agreement that
these 100000 square miles should
form not less than three nor more than
five states. In other words the states
were to be in the aggregate not much
less than $4,000 square miles in size nor
more than $4,000.
Congress chose to make five states of
this Northwest Territory averaging
$4,000 square miles each. Congress
has in express terms from time to time
extended to all the additional
territories of the United States the
benefits of that compact.
II Congress has extended to us the
benefits of the ordinance of 1887 what
are they:
First:-That there shall be neither
slavery nor involuntary servitude
within our borders otherwise than fol
the punishment of crime whereof the
party shall have been duly convicted,
Second:-That our state shall have
an area not greatly exceeding $4,000
square miles nor less than $4,000.
Third:-That we shall be entitled tc
admission when our population reaches
10000.
In the face of all these facts the,
call us revolutionists. Who are oul
accusers? 1 will not answer thai