Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1886-01-27
he forty-sixth parallel, rs provided for IN the
constitution now submitted to you sud TO Con-

the fort,-sixsh parallel, rs provided for IN the
constitution now submitted to you aud TO Con-
gress.
The next, and, perhaps, more vital question
Ia this: That portion Of Dakota south 81 the
forty-sixth parallel now prepared for admis-
sion has been a Territory longer than any Ter
ritory which has hitherto been admitted into
the Union. That portion of il now seeking adj
mission has a greater population than any Or
ganizcd Territory had when admitted into the
onion. Its population Is over 2G,oO0 It has
more and better equipped public institutions
than any Territory ever had. 1t has a system
of free schools, supported entirely by taxation,
and deriving no aid from the reserved grant of
the sixteenth and thirty-sixth~s sections Of pub
lie lands now lying idle. Last year we ex-
pended for school purposes sl,2O1,0O0. That
part of Dakota now applying for admission has
50,23s cultivated farms, averaging IN size less
than 200 acres. The people have 724 4s2 head
Of horses and cattle. They own 456,9OO head
IF sheep and hogs. They raised, III 1854, T.
H3. $50 bushels Of corn, 1l,7S5,127 bushels OF
oats and IL, S29, 57S bushels of wheat, and as
much more the past year; but l have not been
able to ascertain accurately the exact amount
There has been some criticism about tho pro-
priety of dividing Dakota. The founders of
the Republic never contemplated the idea of O.
few large States, but rather a greater number
of small and medium sized States. Notice how
guarded they were as to the size Of the. States
u bS NCl pht vi Az uNI9tCAA .
tory. The ordinance of 1877 provided that
Congress should divide that Territory into not
less than three nor more than five States.
Now, If Congress had determined to divide
that Territory into as large states as possible,
they would have averaged less than that por-
ton of Dakota now seeking admission. 1fDa-
kota is divided, the proposed new State will
have an area of 1900 square miles, making
1t tho eighth State in size in the ~Union-larger
than Ohio and Indiana combined; larger than
Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland and Della
ware all combined. Considering, then, all
these questions, Mr.. President, that Dakota
has been a Territory so long; that her popula-
ton is 70 great; that her industries are 30
large; thatevery condition and purpose Of
Territorial life has been subserved; that the
proposed constitution liz republican in form,
and that our people have so long and patiently
expect the approval of just men, who will give
the question an intelligent and impartial con-
sideration. 1t has been suggested in some
quarters that while Congress makes annual
appropriations for certain expenses, we should
not be anxious for admission. This is a mar
row view of such o question, and l maintain
that when Territory has fulfilled all these
conditions, and still desires to emain a ward
if there ever be one, Congress would better
emancipate her, willing or unwilling, unless
there are exceptional reasons to the contrary.
If a people that have fulfilled all the condi-
Hons Vi leTTlloIlhl tuteldSe, WHO nave bnc
wealth, the numbers and the intelligence en-
'itling them to emancipation, should willingly
md uncomplainingly remain in that inferior
condition it would be an evidence Of their in
capacity for emancipation and self govern
ment, and be a cause Of serious apprehension
with patriotic statesmen everywhere. On be-
half of our people l thank you, Mr.. President,
for this opportunity to explain our position.
The President showed a decided interest
in the subject, many features of which he
said were new to him. and in the course Of
an informal conversation remarked that the
question should be impartially considered
from a judicial point of right and justice
solely, without regard to its partisan aspect.
He impressed the delegation with the belief
that he proposed to treat it On that basis.
He assured them that he would give the
matter careful consideration and do what he
thought right in the premises.