Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1888-07-07
AN GRAFTON.
BY Gen. Hugh j. Camppeu,
July 4, 1888, at Centre
vile, Dakota.
The Statehood Question and the
Right TO Organize State
Discussed.
(conclued from yesterday. J

The greatest lawyer and iurist OF ths |
northwest, and one OF she greatest OF the |
country, Judge Cooley, OF Michigan, in \
a recent review of this action OF Michi. |
gan, has said that Michigan was right
and congress and the president were /
wrong.
Congress has repeatedly decided that
this action is right.
The supreme court Of the United |
States has SO decided.
OF lste years, certain class of men
who are ignorant OF the HISTORY OF the
past, and more ignorant of our constitu-
tion and our Institutions, have given ut.
teranee to this proposition:
That congress must first create q state.
Cr to put 1t, as sometimes stated in
other words, congress must first breathe
the breath OK life into the state.
There never waB more nonseusical
and STUPID proposition enuncleted by
any man, short of natural born fool.
Baalam's ass was an elegant atatea-
man, and Thompson's colt, which swan
the river to get drink, was phiIoso.
pheF, along side the man who makes this
proposition. Congress can no more
create state, that it can create baby
or any other living thing. The true
principle that governs, has been so often
stated by congress and as often settled,
and settled also, by the supreme cours OF
the United States.
LII has never been more ably nor more
clearly stated, than in ihe present CON
Rrese, on May 25, 1883. in the house, by
Mr.. Butterworth Of Ohio. ] quote his
own words:
Congress has no power 10 create Q
| new state.
..'The people, and they only, may
create new state.
"And II all needful and requisite con-
'ditions are complied, SO shat 10 is made
manifest shat new state in the sense
implied by these words exisss, they
have right to be admitted into she
union. Congress ie in duty bound lo
admit the new state. To refuse is
denial OF Justice TO she people Of such
'ssste.and denial OF clear constitutional
right"
''Congress has the power 10 admit new
states, not to create them.
| The people alone can organize state.
IL must be their work. No other power
! .or tribunal can do it for them,"
And now listen to this from the same
great statesman.
''If congress- negleots or refuses to
directly furnish community in terri
tory with the forms OF law--the invita-.
'tion under which these proceedings may
be had, may not the local Legislative
Authority perform that. or may not the
people themselves in their primary
capacity assemble in pubic convention,
frame and adopt a constitution, organize
"a state government, and demand ad-
i m nj tho mo- okak $hra far
'into the union r.
"Either method is clearly regular.
Now listen to what the supreme court
say, Dred. Scott vs.. Sanford, 19 Howard
"a territory ia acquired TO becsme q
state. and not SO be held aa colony
and governed by congress with absolute
authority,
Territorial governments are organized
sas matters OF necessity, because the
people are too few in number, and toe
'scanEy IN resources, to maintain O state
government.
These governments are contrary &c
the epIrlt OF QUE American constitution
HTbey are TO be tolerated and con.
tinued only SO long as that necessity ex,
lists.
i Senator Edmunds showed the senate
that the people OF Dakota by solemn
treaty guarantee, as we'll as by the con-
ssisution, we're entitled 10 two states,
n The great republican party, In III
, platform, of Chicago, last June, resolved
that:
tRhen the condition OF population
material, resources, public intelligence
and morality, are such, as to insure {
stable local government therein, the
people of territory should be per-
mitted ss right inherent in them,
right 60 form for themselves conRtitu
tions and state governments, and 10 ad.
mission into the union"
i Republican platform, 1888.
Colonial government on any othe
principle than this means Imperialism
. II means Romo and Cesar. Tits danger
) GUS to the whole republic.
In addition to all this, our organio 40
declares that this territorial governmen
is merely temporary.
sl Now then il this 10 only a temporar,
: government. IL our people are not to-
i few in number, and too scRnt in resources
to maintain state government; il thi
territorial government is contrary to tn
: American constitution, as the suprem
/ court say,
II II ii is only 10 be tolerated and con
tinued 80 long as the necessity for il ex
lists. It that necessity NO longer doe
Q exist. IL we have the coherent right /
a frame state government. and to ad
mission into the union.
Then these conclusions follow, q
= surely as day follows night:
: Then congress has no lawful right {
Q coEt tinue this territorial government.
q Then this territorial government
unlawful.
Then We are not bound to obey it.
Then We have lawful right 10 set
= aside.
al Now come to the practical question
How is this to be doneS
First would say, that the frss an
indispensable requisite, is that an ovel
AZ whelming majority Of the people wis
q, to govern themselves, and wish to uni,
l. In doing something, and agree on BON
At common plan OF action.
rel No small body OF men, In convention
s or by resolutions, will accomplish any
ss thing. Unless the majority OF the pc
er pie agree upon BomethIng. and agree
o. earnest, nothing can be done.
81 We may 60 on whining, and begkir
ID and Crying and bowling TO congrez
at and t0 the people OF the United Stat
Of until We die, and that will never q
I'd complish anything.
ee II Is . ahumihAting, degrading aiet
" to; see 600 900 citizens pleading sl
whining like babies, for saat which th
ch havs the right and the power TO take |
ce themselves. il they had she spirit 70
St. lit.