National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-01-13


II II were possible for Democratic poll
ticiaus Of the kind usually sent to occupy
seats in the capitol to consider any question
from any point Of view except that Of the
partisan, there would be no doubt Of the
immediate admission of Dakota to the
family Of states,
Or even II u were possible for such poll
tTciaus TO take broad and sagacious partisan
viow Of the questions ON which they are
called to act, realizing that to do right is
the best service one can render his party,
the front door Of the Union family mansion
would be swung open at the knock OF
Dakota, and she would be welcomed to the
place that is hers by every right except
that Of actual possession.
no man has denied, and no honest man
can deny, the justice Of the demand made
by the people Of Dakota for admission.
Finding Il impossible to base opposition on
the ground of equity two or three senators,
who are capable of better things and who
must feel that they are, In this case, en-
gagged in dlscreditahle business, are ac-
cusing the law-abidng, peaceful, self.re-
spectlDg, and Union-loving people of Da-
kota Of attempting to get into the Union
by Revolutionary methods.
The NATIONAL REPUBLICAN has no uu-
kind feelings toward the men who tried,
some years ago, TO take good many states
out Of the Union. It is glad that they
with their states arc back again, and sim
ccrcly hopes that the bearing Of these gem
tlemen may be such as will seldom recall
the bitter memories Of our time of trial
But when such gentlemen, holding high
places In the national councils, hurl the
charge of revolution at a great, orderly,
peaceful community because of their
anxiety to add one to the number Of states,
II is impossible not to draw a contrast be-
tween building up and tearing down the
Union.
These people have been knocking at the
door for years. After Democratic House
had refused to give its assent toan enabling
act-refused for no reason except that the
new state would not be Democratic-the
people of South Dakota, following long
line Of precedents set by numerous states,
including Tennessee, Michigan, Kansas,
Colorado, and Minnesota, prior to their
admission, organized state govern
ment, but with no intention Of putting
the machinery in operation until duly au'
thorized to do so by act Of Congress- The
New York Trib,me, in an editorial urging
justice toward Dakota, says:
Tennessee elected state officers without IN
enabling act and sent notification to Con
gress that on particular day named the terri
torial government would cease and the state
government assume its powers. That territory
was admitted MS Il state without any charge o.
revolution. Indeed George Washington sent q
message to Congress approving the course fol
| lowed by the territory. When part of thu
territory OF Michigan organized as n state Il
went much further. II wiped out the terrific
rial government and put the state goycrnmen
into actual operation before the passage of az
enabling act. That eminent Democrat, Jane
Buchanan, in a speech in Congress upon thu
| Michigan case said ~ think their course 1
| clearly justifable; but If there is anything
wrong or unusual in 1t, 1t is to be attributed Il
! the neglect OF Congress" Andrew Jackson
| approved the act OF admission, Stephen A
| Douglas approved the course of Minnesota II
| organizing before admission. But II was lef
10 such renowned patriots as Gen. Butler AM
Gen. Vest, of the late confederacy, to discove
that such course on the part of Dakota
tainted with "treason."
The people of Dakota are almost unan
imous for admission. Both parties Il
their annual conventions for the past 81
years have indorsed IT. They demand th
division of the state as proposed by th
Harrison bill. No territory has ever beel
admitted with so large population II
South Dakota possesses, Its area is lit
orally immense, being 5000 square mile
greater than that of Missouri. The Tribune
in the article quoted from above, remind
Senator Butler that South Dakota has thre
times the area of the state of South Caro-
lima, and "has more postollices, more news
papers, more banks, more schools, an
other evidences Of fitness to become state.
There ought to be no more nonsense 1
relation TO this question unless we propos
TO set up the rule that no territory sha
hereafter come into the Union unless II
people and both houses of Congress and til
President are IN political accord.