St. Paul daily globe., 1889-07-05
The New York Congressman
Makes a Great Address to
South Dakotans.
Meaning Of Independence to
the Quartette Of New
Born States.
Saratoga, Yorktown, Apo
mattox, Federal Union and
the Constitution.
Brilliant Peropation OF Con-
graduation to the Peo-
pie Of Dakota.
knecial 10 the Globe

Special to the Globe
HURON. Oak. July 4.-The leading
event of to-day's great celebration was
the address of Sunset Cox, the popu
lar New York congressman. Mr.. Cox
was attentively listened to and
many times roundly applauded. he
began his address by referring to Ger
ain decisive battles Of the world, III
which Saratoga bore part. "ihere
was more enduring Importance" SAID
the speaker, ''in investigating tne
chain of causes which led up to these
battles. and which helped the world
mark great changes in tread OF pro-
gress. The Fourth of July was a
pivotal period in a larger sense.
Our fathers then struck not for their
liberation, but for their independence.
They never lost the former" The
speaker then considered the inadequacy
Df the Articles of Confederation.
which led to the Constitutional era OF
1889. He discussed in detail the grand
events connected with both hemls-
pheres-America and Europe: and
held that the ascending series of acts
which eliminated in our Constitution
and in the French revolution, barring
its excesSes was the end when
crowned the work and made
the year 1889 ''annuS mlrabllls."
Reference at some length was made to
the French centennial and the Strug-
giles there for tree,
REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT.
He then referred to the cesslons by the
states of Virginia, Massachusetts, North
nnnnpnfpH
with the Northwestern lands, to the
federal government. quoting Chief JUS
tice Chase as holding that the title OF
these lands, by virtue of the conquest,
was in the federal union. Dilating
upon the acts of the early congress. the
ordinance of 1887 and the preparations
for the proper disposition of the lands,
as drawn by Jefferson, he came to the
Louisiana purchase, in which was Sltu-
ated the four new states just about to
be admitted to the Union. The speaker
made a resume of the incidents con-
nected with the purchase of Louisiana,
its necessity ard the foresight of Jetfer-
son, and held that the wisdom OF this
purchase showed that jefferson was
first among American statesmen in his
vision of our future beyond the Ohio
and the Mississippi.
WISDOM OF THE PURCHASE.
"The wisdom of the purchase led to
reconciliation with Spain, for that
Jealous power was in actual possession
of Louisiana when the treaty was
signed, although it had been legally
transferred by Spain to France. Some
of our contemporary writers have lmag-
lued what Washington would now think
Of the progress Of the greater West. AL
though he had an idea of the vaStneSS
Of our imperial future: and although he
travelled to the Ohio valley and project
ed water connections between the At
lantic and the Ohio river-the develop
ment of the WeStermOSt West, could he
see it to-day, would confound his ken,
give additional hemOr TO his compass,
and astound his most eXtravagant
fancy.
''He was, in many ways, first in war,
first in peace, first in the hearts of his
countrymen; but his foresight as to our
domain was limited by the Ohio river
Or at most to the territory east of the
Mississippi. 1t is Thomas jefferson who
was first, and will forever remain first,
as the statesman and artificer OF that
policy which comprehended the lands
between the Mississippi and the Pacific.
His vision was not blinded by the
beauty and richness of the Virginia and
Ohio valleys. 1t reveled in the tilth
and wealth of ages unborn, beyond the
widest dreams of the planters of the
Atlantic coast. Besides, he made a
practical provision as well as economic,
provision as to the details of our lands
and their settlement. His plan compre-
hended their division by townships, sec
tions and quarter sections, and their
sale to the settler. The Great West was
to him more than land for homes and
farms and states. 1t was charm, like
all Inspiration
Paradise and groves,
Elysian Fortunate Fields-liHe those Of old
Sought in the Atlantic main."
Mr.. Cox then referred to the dedica-
ton of lands to settlers by the earlier
and later congresses for educational
purposes, aud, more recently, for the
homestead. He dilated upon the neces-
sity of education, and hurled an anath-
ema against those who would impair
the great endowment. Still discussing
the matter of lands, he referred to the
recent events connected with Indian
reservations and treaties, and laid down
the doctrine as follows:
EMINENT DOMAIN.
Recent events in the Indian territory
Show how important and advantageous
to the settler is fair start and an equal
right to secure a portion of the public
lands. That government would be, i'll
deed, derelict which would allow either
violation of treaty or violation of law
to crafty an excessive appetite for
land. Under the recent provisions re-
lating to the unOccupied and reserved
lands of Dakota. it is to be hoped that
the settlement and growth of your new
state may not be hindered, but en-
hanced; and that every portion of the
soil within your limits may be occupied
under conditions of good faith toward
the red man and fair play toward the
white.
ut must not be forgotten, however,
that the settlements on both sides of the
Missouri river. amid every possible dis
aster of drought, fire, tempest, savage
ry, treachery, and warfare, were each
and all made by the energy of white
men. By your own rare energy, within
eighteen years, the yield of civilized in
duStry has risen there to fabulous pro-
portions. 1t is, therefore, hardly prob
lem for social science to solve, whether
these lands should be held by races who
cannot or will not work them at all. OF
If at all, not advantageously, while the
eager and diligent white race is only toe
ready to test the fullest capacity OF
your peerless soil by the alchemy of sun,
water, plough and civilization. Vattel
confirms the superior title to the soil il
the civilized man who will till it.
THE SIOUX INDIANS.
The love of Land and What 2