Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1888-12-21
Emmons County Record
WILLIANISPORT, DAKOTA.
d. r. STREETER Editor and Publisher
The RECORD Is entered at the IVitliGn,sport
postoDlce as second class matter.
DEATM-BED REPENTANCE.

The Democrats in Congress have ac-
cepted the inevitable, and at a caucus
meeting last week decided to legislate in
favor of the admission of the territories
At last the days of Dakota's political
nonentlty are numbered. She will soon
take her proper position in the slsterhood
of states. 1t is remarkable that Dakota
has been kept out Of the Union until she
possesses population Of over half mil
lion of the most enegetic and progressive
people IN America and Europe. When it
is considered that the pioneer settlers in
Dakota are doing patriotic as well as a
selfish work, it is wonderful that they
have received so little attention and en-.
courag cement from the nation. A nation s
greatness is measured by its wealth and
the intelligence and patriotism of its in
habitants, and in these possessions Da-
kota long ago lowered above any terri
tory at the date of It's admission to the
Union. When the people of Dakota
came here they found nothing but wild
land. In its uncultivated state it added
nothing to the nations wealth. But the
hardy immigrants have made it blossom
as the rose. Every bushel of grain, ev.
cry head of live stock, every ton of ore,
has added its value to the nations wealth
and greatness. The armed and uniformed
soldiers who fight successful battles
against their country's enemies do nc
greater or nobler work than the soldiers
of peace who carry the nations flag into
the wilderness and wrest from the domin-
ion of nature region which is made of
value to the nation only by their efforts
1t would seem, then, that the pioneers
should have had the constant aid and en-
couragement of the government. But
since the Democratic party came into
power an opposite course has been pur-
sued The cruel administration of the
publlc-land department under the late
commissioner is matter of notoriety
throughout the nation. Instead of strlv.
ing to do our people speedy justice when
they asked that they might be given the
full privileges of citizenship, partisan
Democrats of the Springer class strove
only for delay. The interests of the Da.
kotas were made entirely subservient tc
care for the fortunes of the Democratic
party. The abstract right of admission
under all precedents, evoked not the
slightest consideration from Democratic
leaders. Bourbon newspapers and poll
ticians Wed with each other in misrepre
senting us. In their philosophy the do
ing OF justice to community of,opposite
political faith was not matter to be
considered. In legislation for enlargine
the membership Of the territorial bench
the action of the Democratic Congress
has been slow and unwilling, and the re
lief given was insufficient. Anything
in the minds of the Bourbon statesmen
| was good enough for Republican Dakota
But with the election of Gen. Harrison
and Republican Congress came the as
| surance that Dakota would receive fail
and decent treatment. Presto! change
and the Democratic members are tum
bling over one another to get to the from
and exhibit their overwhelming regart
tor the welfare of the big territory
They held caucus last week, and t.
read their talk one not conversant will
the facts would imagine that Dakota wa
discovered by the Democratic party
But our people have no faith in bet
repentance. Their eyes are wide open
Their memory is good. They are no
thankful for the granting of q righ
which can no longer be withheld. Ad
mission by the present Congress will no
affect the future political bias of the Da
kotas. Dakotans know their friends.