The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1891-03-20

danger the safety of the government
itself. A prenleditated conntvance OF
these companies with foreign invasion,
or domestic insurrection might easily
blasS CUR government at the mercy OF
its enemies. Aid the same disposition
which leads them to fob the people
would lead them to rob or destroy h
government If they conceived 1t would
be to their advantage.
Land reform is attended with as many
difficulties rs any question with which
Ne have to deal. How to preserve the
RIGHTS 81 property, the obligations OF the
government, ala tie natural rights OF
tillers of the soil. may Well puzzle the
wisest philosophers. 1t seems TO me the
only clear way for government to recog-
nize the Godgiven right to the soil OF
those who till 1t mot have it tilled) and
that this result should be brought
In tic ieast injurious and most equitable
manner possible.
Ballot reform may be resolved into
two questions: Who shall vote? and
How shall they vote?
iii regard to the first, I think It IS
time to consider whether the ignorant
and vicious population, which exists in o
greater or less degree In all our cities,
Shall be allowed not only to vote, but to
control the votes of others, while it1telli-
gent women all over our land are de-
prived of all share in a government
which affects theft interests to fully as
great a degree as that Of men. And
why the foreigner, ignorant Of our in.
| stittitiUns, ignorant of our language, ana
perhaps opposed to all restraints OF law
| and order. Should be permitted to vote
| after q residence of but a few months On
! payment Of o paltry sum for his papers
which. perhaps. Is furnished by some
scleming politician, and taking the
cath, the obligation Of which he does not
recognize; while our W sons, who at ID
years OF age are better qualified to exer>
else good choice and sound Judgment IN
voting, arc required to wait five years
before they are treated as full citizens
or allowed to exercise the rights OF free
men. The principle embodied IN inc
Australian ballot system no doubt wonlo
be a great improvement or the present
plan if properly guarded. But in many
cases where it has been adopted the best
features have been so changed that IL
cannot be much Improvement. The o.
ject aimed at should be to insure the sec
recy of the ballot. To make some degree
of intelligence in the voter necessary
To render bribery unsafe and to remove
Che voter as far as possible from partisan
prejudice and to facilitate the success Oh
independent nominations.
And now, my brothers, how is it with
our own organization? Is there not
something more necessary to secure uni
formity of constitution and plan SO as to
give greater efficiency and permanently
to our society?
Should there not be more systematic
and definite information provided for SO
that we may know the feelings, plans
ind action of all parts of our brother
hood? If the secret work has adVan-
tagcs of power and p~ermanence, ougnt
it not be adopted? And if that is
concluded on, should there not be, in
addition to the peculiar work, or system
for each state, a genera! mystic bond by
which brethren from all parts or our
country should be recognized and wei
coined by each other.
Should there not be some prescribed
actiye work for each Of our officers to
perform? Are we not by our lack OF
system and our Indefinite, loose organl-
zation as q national society, laying our
selves liable to be absorbed by other
more compact organizations, which al
though having the same general objects
in Wow would not be so congenial to our
brotherhood? I ask your earnest coli
sideration Of these matters. and trust
that you will leave nothing undone
which seems necessary to the efficient
and successful execution OF the great
work we are attempting.
Let us not be deceived. 1t is no time
for boys play and nlOck demonstrations.
There was a time when the corporations
and monied oljgarchics looked upon III
with unrufled contempt. That condi
tlon is changed. Three million voters
wItiIuuU aupIuvuru< .eei.uI ui = up,~.nroaH
even though their discipline may he i'm
5 perfect and their lines disconnected
The enemy is already marShalled for the
bat3e. We must conquer or suffer igno
minious defeat.
BE not deceived. This people must be
redeemed. If VIC prove unworthy
: of Tie trust we have undertaken, Goo
will raise up other instruments to &C,
) compliSh His will. for He has ~purposeG
4 great things for the nation, and He vii
accomplish them. But we. how shall
i we answer for our lost opportunities:
How shall we answer on that day whcl
! nations and societies are put on trial a!
y well as individuals?
; Let US acquit ourselves like true men
: let us encourage each other; let us close
up the lines; let us lift up the banner O.
freedom OIL high: let us pass the WORD
> down along the ranks. THE People
) God, and Our Native Land" Let u:
! shout the battle cry, Omitted We Con
Il qncr," and our foes will be scattered
, Light will break forth as the morning
!. Liberty will triumph. Our country will
be redeemed.