Sturgis advertiser. (Sturgis, Dakota [S.D.]) 1887-1???, 1888-05-09
HAIL TO THE cHIER.

HAIL TO THE oHIEr.
stColonel'' John<H. King, after having
opened the reservation, has returned to
his teepee on the banks Of the classic
Rapid.
In spite OF Senator Dawes, the Indian
society, the whole American eongresa
combined, he passed &he bill through
both houses, told the interior depart
mant to endorse it, and ordered Presi-
dent Cleveland to sign it. Waiting
only long enough to see that the ex-
ecutive did as he was bid, he hisd him
self home to the arms Of q grateful con-
stituency, to rest from ms labors and
reap the reward dine him for his her.
culean achievements. We are sorry to
see the colonel leave Washington just at
present. Other things there of moment
GUS Importance to Dakota are demanding
the attention OF just such ability as his.
Colonel King should have remained
there at the post OF duty. Dakota
wants to be divided. Dakota wants to
be admitted. Colonel King could have
accomplished both. He would have
seen that both houses did what all Da-
kotaians desire. He would have COM
PEELED the recognition Of Dakota's claim.
For these reasons alone he should have
been retained in Washington. His
thorough acquaintance with Washing
ton society; his influence with the
members of both houses of congress;
his known intimacy with the president,
and his general, all-around weight, po-
litically and morally, are talents that
should have been made use ct by the
territory at the nation's capital. We
are sorry to see that leading men of this
territory through their prejudice,
bigotry and fear of Mr.. Kings rapidly
growing popularity, have not worked
in the interest of the above named gen.
tleman, but have allowed him to return
to his home, undoubtedly glad Of his
departure.
Il would be the proper thing, if the
people Of the territory, or more particu-
larly the residents Of the Black Hills,
would insist upon his returning to Wash
ington and entering upon the work for
Dakota's benefit. OF course if success
crowned his efforts as it would, with
out any doubt whateuer-his reimburse
ment financially by our people would be
liberal. He could easily get Dakota
divided and the southern half admitted,
and the people OF the northern portion
by retaining him in their cause after
cur work had been completed, could be
admitted easily to statehood. This, if
prompt action were taken, would un-
doubleday give the republicans four new
electoral votes at the next election OF
course if the colonel enters on this work
he will insist upon immediate division
and admission of both sections. IF pre-
sented by him in the light of demand,
congress and the president could not
help but gracefully accept the situation
and put the measure through alt once.
But "eyery cloud has its silver lining"
Colonel King is home, and the people in
their blindness will not send him back.
The inhabitants of the new county of
Meade desire recognition. They need
some one Of undoubted standing with
the administration. What better man
than John 81. King can be engaged by
the people of this end Of the county to
call on Governor Church and demand
immediate recognition Of Meade county !?
The governor would not dare refuse him
his demands, as he undoubtedly desires
to retain his position. If he did refuse
what was asked what would there be to
hinder Mr.. King from going to Wash
ington and telling the president that Mr..
Church must be removed at once? All
can readily see the position the governor
would be in, and for fear of any such
contingency arising we would immedi-
ately be recognized and the commits
sioners named by Mr.. King would be
duly appointed. Tt is an i'll wind that
otows no one good, and the returning
Of the colonel from Washington, although
to the detriment of Dakota gen.
orally, could be utilized easily as su-
prerne benefit to the people Of the Hills.
This is case worth examination. Let
us labor to this end.
Several of the papers Of the Hills have
worked against Colonel King from the
start, have printed severe structures
against hina, and have not allowed him
all the honor in this fight for the OPEN
ing of the reservation. We think we
can speak for them when we say they see
their mistake and now and forever more
will ardently support any measure the
Hon: John Fl. King will endorse. We,
with all homage, humbly bow and ac-
knWledge the honorable John n. our