Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-03-16

able the people TO consult as to the proper steps
TO take under their new government
II 1t does not pass it will he necessary to en-
ape them to consult as to the steps necessary
to then take.
For this fight must be kept up till we win, az
we shnll
To aid Mr.. Cox and our friends in their work
for Dakota. the committee urges upon friends of
division to ut once hold meetings in the various
towns and cities. and send to Mr. Cox petitions
signed by rs many citizens as possible setting
forth the sentiments of the people,
Ii nothing Is done by congress the issue is up
on us.
1t simply means that you will have to decide
Tor yourselves, within the next three months, in
the formation of party lines. in the nominations
for members Of the legislnture for delegates to
the national conventions md for congressional
delegates, the question whether you will lie i'll
under the den weight OF intolerable taxation,
ruinous interest and burdens of vari Jus kinds
winch are eating out your life and substance
mite number of yeirs to come, or whether, in
the spirit Of true American freemen, you will
undoubtedly take the manly, lawful and peac-
able steps Which the people of other territories
IN like circumstances us yourselves have hither-
to taken successfully, and which will lead di-
rectly and immediately to local self-govern-
ment, responsible to the people, chosen by the
people, and acting Tor the people.
This will be for you to decide in the next few
months m one way or the other. You must either
move in a body and help themselves
ahe.reiore, to give IN opportunity to the
eeople, as such, to express their will on this
Important matter, it has been suggested That
the people be chilled together in a large delegate
convention this coming spring, at some conven-
lent time and place.
And also, that Mt the same time and place
leading members of the four great interests
among us be requested to call together conven-
rntely and on the day following the general con
vention to consider and act upon any reeom-
mendations which that convention may make.
1t is therefore contemplated that on the day
following the general convention there will be
assembled conventions of the four following
named bodies, to be called by the members OF
each:
!. The farmers and business men.
2. Tho press.
3. The clergy.
Z. The legal profession.
Upon the Inst named order falls most directly
and heavily the ruinous rates of interest and the
unjust exactions imposed by corrupt legislation.
Ihelr repres natives in that convention will
consider how this movement may be guided SO
US to best remedy taese evils,
The press is the voice of the people, through
which alone public sentiment can be uttered
with power. When united and in earnest they
are omnlpotent They will review the pro-
ceedings Of the general convention, and if these
are stamped with their approval, that will
to defeat,
The clergy have in their charge those high
moral and intellectual interests which alone
| only live and flourish under and by the free
workings of the spirit of American loyal self
government. It will be for them to take into
ton, and. if they approve it, under their views
| of duty and their responsibility to God it will
then be for them to make this movement in
vlnc1ble by appealing to the sense of right and
wrong of the people, and thus browning our
efforts with the sanction and dignity of high
| moral purposes and of duty.
The legal profession and the public are suffer-
eynanElS in
| CATION which amount to denial of Justice
Also to them do the people look, as leaders in
all such times us these, as defenders of their
rights and libert les, when denied or imperiled.
Their advice and counsel, as a profession, at
| this iuncture will be of great benefit to the
All these great orders of society should be
consulted in this emergency. It is their bust.
ness; They will suffer if no, hing is done. They
must decide what is to be done.
If their combined wisdom shall unto upon q
plan of action, that plan will carry the people,
Tor they are the people. and il the people shall
unite upon any plan they will be triumphant.
is fairly taken, and the subject is fairly pre-
sented to them are equally favorable todivision
| as the people of south Dakota.
There are indications showing that they have
walked up to the fact that the Aberdeen move.
ment was merely a local enterprise, such MS ie
incident to all capital schemes, and is as ininl-
ical to the interests of north Dakota as of south
| Dakota.
The committee respectfully suggests to the
friends OF division in north Dakota q friendly
cooperation upon their part in this contem-
plated movement; by such measures as, may be
most suitable and convenient to them.
This committee makes an especially earnest
appeal to the weekly newspaper press of Dako-
| tn for their cooperation and assistance in this
crisis in Dakota's affairs.
The weekly press are nearest to the people,
represent them most directly, and reach them
most me closely and generally They are power
lie opinion. Without their aid the daily press
Is partly powerless. In this emergency we shall
all be called upon to give of our time means
| and labor for the common welfare.
The committee asks the editors of the weekly
press to do their share in this work, as public
teachers, by editorials and by the publication
| of all important documents on this subject
| Tho committee makes this announcement
now, in order to call the attention of the people
to this subject beforehand, that it may be fully
discussed and conclusions arrived at when the
| time comes for action.
| The committee respectfully con1mends these
subjects to the careful. thoughtful and patriotic
| consideration of all the good citizens Of north
Dakota and south Dakota.
BY order of committee.
| HUGH II. CAMPBELL,
Chairman Central Committee OF Division and