The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1888-02-02

1t is amusing, and also somewhat
aggravating, to read the comments of
eastern and southern papers upon the
result of the late storm that caused
such disaster in portions OF the coun-
try. Universally it is hcralded as the
..Dakota blizzard" and some editors
frantically gusll with ironical Sympa-
thy for the unfortunate, bcnightcd
Dakotans. True, one of the severest
snow storms that ever ragged in this
locality has left its devastating mark
in frozen victims and isolated instan-
ces of loss of stock: but the storm did
not originate in Dakota, neither was
its force spent within her borders, for
beyond the western boundary the
storm iend nursed its force and Mani
toba, Montana, Minnesota, Iowa,
Nebraska. Wisconsin, Missouri and
the entire area Of the Mississippi val
ley to th,: Gulf Of Mexico was swept
by the cold blast that was formed out
side the territory. True. many young
and middle aged lives were smothered
by the ice king and his storm demons.
but the like might never occur again.
The unfortunate feature was. it came
when the principal casualties are re-
ported near the closing Of schools for
the day when those who remained or
used the necessary precautions about
keeping the proper course for their
homes, were unharmed and, as to the
number, why, the death by sun stroke
in one day in Chicago has exceeded
the entire number lost in this storm
scattered over thousands OF square
miles. Compare the condition of af-
fairs here today with the situation
east for the last three or four days
Snow four feet on the level trains
blocked between Albany and New
York. In Maine, Vermont, Illinois
and all eastern states are almost un-
surmountable banks of snow to en-.
counter and the thermometer far be
low what the mercury scaled here.
Yes, and while we write, kilograms
tell Of the storm raging along the en-
tire Atlantic coast from Nova Scotia
to Florida with great loss of shipping
and lives. This storm certainly did
not originate in Dakota.
No, it is selfish and a wrong mo-
tive that prompts unjust aspersions
and disheartening illusions to Dakota
Jealousy and desire to check immi-
grafton thither causes untrnthful as
sertions ard exaggerated statements.
One thing our eastern and southern
brethren had better record truthfully
is the list of annual hurricanes and
malarial visitations that characterize
their localities, and compare their
death-rate with that of Dakota and
then admit the, to them, unwelcome
truth, that with all our storm casual
ties their mortuary record would down
the scale heavily against ours. With
al this Manitoba breeze, the frost king
has 50 dropped his silvery gems that
the earth, when budding spring comes,
will drink the invigorating draught
that the dried up and exhausted fields
of our eastern neighbors have sighed
for. The alarm tocsin so brazenly
sounded by men desperate to keep
their young men at home may defer
q few, but the rich, unriyaied soil, un-
surpassed climate and unparalleled in
ducements this fair and attractive
land presents will still draw to its bor-
ders the sturdy and active onea who
desire to become participants in the
giant strides of this growing country
towards a powerful and influential
member of the union.