The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1886-10-15
REPUBLICAN CONVENTION.
Judge Moody. Remarks ON Taking tho Chair.

Moody having been elected permanent
chairman of the convention, upon as
suming his duties as such, spoke as
follows:
Gentlemen of the convention: l ac.
knowledge to you the obligations ]
rest under for the honor you have
conferred upon me in selecting me for
this position. This is an important
epoch in the history of Dakota terri
tory. 1t is an important event also
in the history of the republican party
OF the territory. 1t is not mete that
lshould occupy the attention of this
assemblage by entering into discus
sion at any length, because you are
anxious to conclude your duties and
return to your homes. But it is prop
er that Ishould call your attention
to certain questions which have been
suggested to me by the conditions
which surround US.
1t may be said that the entire terri
tory OF Dakota is fairly represented in
this republican convention. North,
south, east and west are alike repre-
sented, and it seems to me there is a
unanimity possessing you, which
augers well for the future of the terri
tory, as well as for the future of the
great party to which we have the
honor to belong. 1t is true that we
are debarred from discussing with ef-
feet, or at least taking part in the de-
termination of governmental affairs.
1t is true that whatever discussion we
may enter into relating to national
affairs is merely for the purpose OF
placing ourselves upon record as re-
publicans. supporting republican prin-
ciples. There are, however, questions
which incidentally are important to
the people OF the United States, in
which We are interested, and which
questions it is proper forus to discuss.
The Territory OF Dakota, as it
stands to-day, is the peer OF many
states in the Union in every respect
which qualities q people for self-goN-
ernment. Nevertheless we are in the
position OF an outlying colony OF
the United States. II one reflects for q
moment he will see that the colonial
system, which was somuch deprecated
by our forefathers, which was claimed
to be the correct system by the Brit.
lsh government, ever since the revolu-
tion has been continued by this gov
ernment towards the territories
while we find that that same British
government, which our forefathers SO
justly complained OF, has progressed
as nations have progressed in civiliza-
tion and enlightenment, and we now
find that the British colonies are to-
day substantially given self COVERT
ment while the people OF the territories
OF the United States are in no sense self
governed.
The question OF the habiliment of
the people OF Dakota territory with
statehood and self-government, is q
question that is before us, and before
this great nation, and from now until
November will be heard and depicted
the wrongs under which this people suf-
fer. In the state OF Maine, during their
campaign the history OF the wrongs OF
the democratic party toward Dakota
wasglven from every stump. You find
the same thing going on in Indiana and
other states; you will find to-day the
same in Connecticut; and again you
will find the republican party OF Iowa
rallying to our assistance. So that it
has become a great national question
The question OF the division of this
territory, and the question of wheth-
er it shall come into the union as one
or two states, is question which is
not only Tor the people OF the terrific
ry, but for the people of the United
States. And upon that question,
the people OF Dakota territory may,
in some measure be heard. Year up
on year, from the earliest history OF
this territory division has been de-
sired, and the people through their
representatives have demanded that
this great area should be divided, and
the political power to which these peo-
pie were justly entitled should by this
division, be allowed them. Then
again, taking advantage of the per-
mission which the representative OF
the people OF the territory accorded
to the people OF South Dakota, South
Dakota, proceeded i'll the first instance
to prepare herself for admission into
the union OF states.
That preparation was made, and
was made orderly. 1t was made wise
ly, and an application for admission
was made to the congress of the Unit
ed States. That application was by
the republican party OF the nation,
seconded without dissent The repub-
lican party, represented in the con-
gress OF the United States, has not for
one moment refused to accede to the
expressed will OF the people OF Dakota
territory. But, added to the wrongs
which the democratic party have
committed upon the people OF the
country, they have added this addi-
tional insult and wrong to the people
OF Dakota territory. and have refused
us admission. 1t is true that there
are democrats capable OF seeing JUS
tice, and who are ready to Join with
the republicans in giving to this peo-
pie the justice which they demand,
but they arenot sufficientin number to
control the organization. The conse-
quence was their voices were not heard
but the voices only OF thoserepresent-
ing the majority could be heard or
understood. This has made the dem
ocratic party of the United States re-
sponsible for the injustice to Dakota.
This has put them upon record in such
responsibility, and that record is be-
ing spread during the campaign all
over the United States, wherever there
exists remnant OF that love of fliberty,
of that love OF freedom, OF that love
OF self government, which permeates
the people OF this country. 1t is the
same issue, precisely the same issue
as that made by our forefathers when
the revolutionary proceedings were or
iginally inaugurated. 1t was precise
ly the same issue that led up to the
declaration of findenendenra. If is the