The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1888-06-01

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committee to formulate an address to
the American people setting forth Dako-
ta's wrongs. The committee as named
consisted Of J. L. Robinson, Coddington;
n. W. Price, Sanborn; n. NJ. johnson,
Nelson; F. ]. Correy, Sphinx; G. c.
Moody, Lawrence; e. A. Van Wormer,
Barnes; r. W. Wheelock, Dawson. The
document is one of the most pointed
and convincing arguments ever issued
by a wronged people, as will be seen by
the following. We only give a portion
of the address:
For five years have the people of Dakota
asked congress for division and admission.
For FIVE years has our prayer been ignored.
We now appeal from the arbitrary decree OF
congress to the American people. Herewith
is our case:
We are 100000.
We represent that We are
Intelligent.
Industrious.
Energetic.
Enterprising.
Moral.
Loyal.
We have never been charged with incapaci-
ty for self government.
Our territory contains l5O, 900 square miles.
Every acre is fertile and productive.
Our climate is healthy, invieorating and sa-
luxurious.
An immense population is assured.
Dakota is four times as large as Ohio.
We ask that II be divided into two states of
equal size.
We ask that these states be called North Da-
kota and South Dakota.
We ask this because the present territory is
Too large for convenient governments one
state.
Because our people desire to be near their
own government.
That they may supervise its actions.
That they may be held responsible to them.
We ask it because we desire an equal repre-
sentation in congress with other states.
We ask 1t because we wish to have adequate
representation in our state legislatures.
We ask it because small states are governed
cheaper than extremely large ones.
We ask it because North Dakota and South
Uakota arc naturally senarate communities.
We ask it because the natural separation
has been augmented
By the lines of travel.
10y Inc leRlSidIlOn OF twenty years.
By the location of public institutions.
By the will of the people.
And recognized by all benevolent. religious
and political organizations.
We further ask that both North and South
Dakota be admitted at once.
These just requests have been refused and
ignored by congress.
We are oppressed and suffer great hardships
tooo,,sa "a tho inootion Of aonnraSo On mn
case.
These are our grievances:
We are disfranchised.
We are permitted no voice in selecting our
rulers.
Our Governors.
Our judges.
Even our clerks of court.
And many other officials.
Are appointed by the federal power.
Incompetent, dishonest, offensive and arbi-
trary officials are thrust upon us.
Hear us further:
The Republicans in congress have used ev-
cry effort for our relief.
The Democrats in congress have bestowed
every effort to keep us In our present condi-
ton.
They a%nnounce openly thar they do not pro-
pose to admit two Republican states.
And in truth they never intend to admit
one.
One recognized Democratic leader recently
declared that congress can, at its option. keep
us In this state of vassalage forever.
Twice has the Republican senate passed
hills for the division and admission OF Dakota.
Only to see them killed in the Democratic
house of representatives.
our only hope for relief is In the election OF
a Republican congress.
We now make a personal. appeal to every
voter In America to come to our assistance.
III YOU are a Democrat
Consider our condition.
For once lay aside partisan feeling.
And come to the relief OF an oppressed peo-
Pile.
Republican congressman.
IL no other way can you serve us.
Because the majority OF Democrats In con-
press are inflexibly opposed to us.
And the caucus Is king.
We here rest our case.
Ayain afirmlng our oft repeated declaration
that we are unalterably Opposed to the admis-
sion az Dakota as one state.
And that we will resist such action by All
constitutional means.
We appeal for justice and assistance.
To YOU who have the power to help us.
For we are helpless.