Sacramento daily record-union., 1888-08-27
THE APPEAL OF A PEOPLE
A delegation of the citizens of Dakota
ave presented to the President an appeal

have presented to the President an appeal
in which they say
We are bound by the closest ties of kindred,
friendship and patriotism TO the citizens of the
States, ana request that we be clothed with the
rights and powers of sisterhOod for both North
Dakota and South Dakota. We have 100000
intelligent industrious people, VINO have for
tedious years unavailingly been imploTing and
entreating Congress to admit us into the sister
hood of states.
The two proposed States embrace an area of
9t,O00.000 acres of fertile land, which produce
annually GO, 100000 bushels OF wheat and So
Qc0DC bushels OF corn. We have S0.o0000
invested IN banking capital, 5,0U0 miles OF rail
road. 1000 public schools, employing 5000
teachers aud expending annually 5000 coo.
We furnish millions in precious metals, and pay
millions IN tribute in the way Of taxes to The
General Government.
The Committee on Territories of tae present
House OF Representatives has turned deaf ear
to our petitions. and we now appeal to you,
asking that the admission of the two States
be made the subject OF q special message TO Con-
gress
We speak boldly. because we know our cause
is Just; We ask lesrlessly, because we are only
asking for the rights Of American freomen we
appeal sincerely, because we long for relief
from Territorial vassalage. we petition earnest
ly, because Oi az inherent right to enfranchised
manhood.
VIII the President ot the United States. who
Is enthroned above all Kings, refuse the prayer
OF 2 suffering, patriotic people If not, then
sha.t there arise in the great Northwest two
neI stars whose luster shall add glory aud
brightness to the thirty eight which now adorn
the "Old Flag"
The case of Dakota is stronger than that
of any State admitted to the Union since
California knocked at the door. Mr..
Cleveland went into Office with the appeal
of Dakota echoing through the corridors
of the National Capitol. 1t has not ceased
to be heard at any session of Congress
since, but it has not been aided by any
word of the President. The reason is not
far away from politics-the Democratic
party opposes the admission of Dakota be-
cause it will add to Republican strength
in Congress. When 100000 industrious
people, irrespective Of party, petition, it
ought TO command better response than
the crack of the party lash. If Mr.. Cleve-
land were less Democrat he would be able
10 see especial propriety in calling the at
tention of Congress to the demand for
simple justice to Dakota But he is more
of party man than he is a courageous
one, or he would face his party in the
House and ask, Why do you refuse state
hood where every requirement is so well
filled and every dictate Of justice demands
affirmative action by your 1t would be
new precedent, it's true, but the best are
often the newest. Precedents have to be
made some time-all were once new and
had first hour. In this case Mr.. Cleye~
land might win great deal of strength to
himself out West if he would but comply
with the petition. But q Democratic
President of the modern order can be re-
lied upon to do the wrong thing where
party and State considerations clash, and
50 Mr.. Cleveland will be deaf to the peti
tlon Of Dakota until his party gives the
word
The exceeding JOY with which the
Democrats hail the Presidents retaliation
message Is likely TO damage their cause.
~ IS altogether toe exuberant not 10 ex-
cite the suspicion that the party is very
fearful concerning the platform issues. and
that 1t welcomes this diversion as relief
But IN their calculation of the effects of the
message upon the compaign the De-
mocracy will certainly be mistaken. The
surprise due to the suddenness of the
Presidents awakening upon the retaliation
policy having passed, has already been
succeeded by distrust The natural in
quiry is, What relation is there or has
there been at any time between the fishery
question and commercial discrimination
along the st. Lawrence and the line
of the great lakes9 "Suppose," citizens
ask with justifable warmth, "the treaty
had been ratified, would not all the causes
still remain for invoking semi-barbarous
methods of settling state questions, if en-
ployment of such agencies are ever iusti-
fable 2 There is but one answer to be re-
turned to inquiries like these Congress
more than year sgo, expressed itself con-
corning the Canadian commercial friction,
and by statutes that are scarcely less than
mandatory directed the application of re-
Faiistory remedies. To these laws the
Administration gave 10 heed. Now, how
ever, when its fishery treaty scheme is re-
fused the necessary concurrence Of a CO.
ordinate branch of the Government. the
Executive becomes suddenly enthused
with patriotic fervor and quick with the
pressing necessity for maintaining the ma
tional honor by furnishing our neighbors,
though it can only be done a. the expense
Of great deal Of self-inaicted injury.
According to Mr. Cleyeland's message,
there has been long conducted system Of
commercial portage by Canada across
American territory that is in violation Of
or not justified by our treaties with Great
Britain, yet not until the fishery treaty Of
the Administration is defeated does the
Executive manifest any solicitude con.
cerning the matter. This one fact will
be entirely sufficient to negative any polit
ical boom the message may have beer
expected TO give the Presidents caudi
dacy for reelection.
IT is very gratifying 10 learn from on,