The DeSmet leader. (DeSmet, Kingsbury Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-07-10

aud when Mr.. Springer. of Illinois, III
/ that report to the House for admission
as a whole declares i'm effect that since
we have not 400, 900 people-.the aver
age number in each State-we have 10
right which Congress is bound to
respect; when the spirit of usurpation
and oppression is thus manifested, is ii
a time for Dakota men TO lie down in
passive obedience and say nothing?
In view of the present tendency to
rebellion against law in Congress, we
must do something.
WHAT CAN WE Doy
We can move forward toward the
frontier of our political rights. We
can keep the breath of life in our own
half strangled Dakota constitution by
repeating Section 81. We. can thus
undo that part of our past work and
have what the Territorial Legislature
contemplated when it commanded the
people of South Dakota to frame con-
stitution and gave us 100000 with
which to do it.
We can then halt, and we shall halt
and see what the next Congress will do.
Are we afraid to trust the people? the
patient, long suffering, conservative
people of South Dakotay
ARGUMENT AT AN END.
TO stand idly by while events sweep
past us, is to invite disaster. The
longer we quietly bear indignity the
longer shall we suffer indignity. The
men who hold us down can be reached
only by an appeal to their fears. 1t is
childish to employ further argument
with Congress. Conflict is the condi-
dition of change. Congress wishes to
hold us as Territory for the double
purpose of keeping the Republican
party down and to have dumping
ground for supernumerary Office seek
ers. Congress will struggle, and will
hold us as long as it can. 1t will keep
its grip on us until there is change OF
parties or till it is afraid to hold Us
under longer. 1t does not fear any
thing we can do except the outcry We
can make and thus secure the atten.
ton of the people of the doubtful
States. 1t is the time now for us tC
struggle. The submission of the repeal
of Section 32 will make the fur fly. The
fur ought to fly. The repeal will prob.
ably be submitted, and then it will be a
shame il the people weld their chains
anew by refusing to repeal it. That
section is all unprecedented provision
as l understand it. To retain it is Ia
invite the disregard of it in the future
for some day the people will start the
DAKOTA STATE GOVERNMENT,
Congress or no Congress. No matter
what we think about the law, the facI
/, is, whether we regret it or like 1t, the
State government of Dakota will be put
in operation whether we are in the
Union or out OF the Union.
A stream whose current never ceases
to flow can not be damned up forever
In time there will be a break. You
and l may cry over it. but there will be
a break some time. The spirit of l77t
is not dead in America or in Dakota.
The military books say that an army
which is always on the defensive is
sure eventually to be whipped. The
radicals generally win. If you have
political ambition you Will do well not
to keep too far behind or be too cold in
your work for admission. The people
have long memories, and, whatever
their views now upon policy, they will
finally support those who with single
mind fight their battles.
| In these days of intellectual activity
some men can patiently reason them
selves into slavery. They say the wal
settled everything in favor of the
United States government. When
Uncle Sam mods the people must bow
down. 1t was all settled at Appomat
tox.
II the war was fought only to knock
off the fetters from 100000 of black
men to put them on $4,000, 600 of white
men, we might better reopen the issues
and fight our battles over again. II
this is to be government Of force and
not of law, it is time the American
people understood it. Nothing viii
prevent it becoming government OF
force but the vigilance Of the people
Eternal vigilance is the price of lib
erty." Have not we heard those
words beforeg Does their deep mean
ing begin TO dawn upon us?
| These words which quote seem to
have meaning for us, civil histor,
shows how liberty is secured only by
constant resistance to insidious inter
ference with original rights Again
THE everlasting truth in government
that power once usurped is never sur
rendered, but to fear was to have a new
illustration. Dakota is new illustra
| tion.
Daniel Webster said: SHOULD
leave no other inheritance to my
children, by the blessing of God. viii
leave them the inheritance OF free prin.
ciples, and the example of manly and
independent defense of them!''
Wendell Phillips said: Never looi
for an age when the people can be
quiet and safe. At such times despot
ism like shrouding mist steals over
the mirror Of freedom t
The postponement of the admission
Of Dakota for another year seems 20 II:
grievous wrong. 1t is wrong. WI
are exposed TO the mercy Of All uncon
trolled Legislature. 1t is a small bod,
representing vast area. and it !.
limited by no constitution. Its power.
extend to all rightful subjects Of legis
lation not inconsistent with the fedora
constitution or the acts of Congress