The Bottineau pioneer. (Bottineau, N.D.) 1885-1895, 1889-05-16

pdIdLlclcu Ill Tie nlSCOFy Oh any dnu
the question rises in the mind of
thinking man, to what do we owe the
increase? There are many things
that we have helped to build; among
others we might mention that Intense
spirit Of liberty that has ever pos
sessed the hcartsof our people. Them
selves oppressed abroad they know
how sweet and dear is freedom to the
downtrodden races humankind. But
above all there stands the glorious
constitution Washington and Frank
lin, Jefferson and Adams and many
others Of Revolutionary fame were
born that they might make the Amer
lean nation. Had they copied from
the constitution Of England the
United States would have been a fail
IRE and long ago would have ceased
to exist. In some respects the Eng.
fish constitution is grand, but with it's
roy al lineage, aristocracy, nobility,
and state church, it would not thrive
upon American soil. Had we copied
from the constitution Of France. we,
like that nation, would ever be amid
broils and tumult; would have been
sitting: insecure upon the rising crest
Of a volcano. The slow and sluggisl,
constitution Of Germany with its pom
derous machinery would never suit
the busy, rushing, hurrying people
that habitatc our land. Our fathers
looked abroad, chose wisely from the
varied constitutions what was suited
to the wants of a people gathered from
zone, added to it what was necessary,
and with it's amendments it stands out
to-day before the gaze Of humanity
the grandest constitution of any land.
1t is based upon such broad principles
Of right that it can be forced without
a standing army-standing armies
which eat up the substance Of over
taxed and weeping nations. I have
already spoken of Dakota. 1t is a
great country. 1t has a magnificent
outlook; its prospects are brilliant.
But, just stepping into the sisterhood,
where long ago she should have been,
the time is somewhat critical. A con.
.stitution is to be formed hat will not
drive away the coming thousands with
all their brains and money, but rather
that will extend to them the greeting
of welcome and the open hand of
friendship; a constitution broad and
liberal like that Of Washington's; a
constitution that will not crush the
poor man and give to the rich mon
opoly; q constitution hal will not
prevent the extension of railroads,
for they are the agents Of progress,
o on the other hand give this fair
domain into their hands to squeeze its
f -blood; a constitution that will
look carefully after our school lands,
for magnificent as they are, in them
there is a power that cann 1t be estim-
ated over the coming generations, in
them is almost self.supporting schools,
if wisely handled, not running go-as-
you-please, but for the entire year.
Great indeed is the future Of Dakota
if wisdom is in her councillors.
The first century of our nations
life has closed. The new one davis
in all suspicious way. Who now can
paint the close of the second? Will
our nation extend northward until it
is washed by three oceans? This GEN.
fury has brought into use the steam.
boat and the telegraph, the cylinder
press and the sewing machine, the tel
ephone and the cotton.gin-yes, and
I glory in the thought that they are
all American inventions. England
has given to us the locomotive and its
train Of cars. Will this century stand
still? No! a hundred times no! We
are just crossing the border Of the
power of electricity. Greater light
is yet to dawn.