Title: Journalistic Coverage of the 1883, 1885 and 1889 Constitutional Conventions
Abstract: B. STATE SOVEREIGNTY AND NATIONAL POLITICS In September 1885, the Evening Free Press (Pierre) reprinted an article from the St. Paul Pioneer Press, which once opposed the division of the Dakota Territory into two states but now supports it: The St. Paul Pioneer Press has generally opposed the division of Dakota, but now comes out in favor of it. We clip the following editorial from that journal of the 9th: The Sioux Falls convention, which assembled yesterday, while it lacks some of the spontaneous and enthusiastic popular backing which has accompanied other similar movements, serves an important purpose. It stands a concrete protest against the tyranny which a democratic congress has determined shall characterize the relation of the general government toward the helpless people of the territories. In fact, just as far as there was less bustle of preparation for this convention, in just as far as the people of South Dakota stopped to question whether it was worth their while to make a success of this meeting to draft a form of government, by just so much do they emphasize the injustice which has almost driven away hope, the last resort of those who suffer wrong. There is nothing which the people of Dakota could do to express their desire for division and admission, for the first right of American freemen, participation in the government which they acknowledge, that they have not already done. It is not wonderful if it should seem to them scarcely worth the while to frame another protest and appeal, to present to the body which has denied them when the proof was equally as clear as now. It is as a continuance of agitation that this convention is valuable, and that it has a work to do. Agitation is the only resort short of revolution which remains to a people kept out of just rights by the insolent dominion of superior power. And agitation has been found effective in this country, where people think for themselves. All that Dakota has to do is to keep her demand before the eyes of the people in order to win her final triumph. There is no longer a shred of pretext for opposing division and admission. The census returns have swept away the last frail defense behind which partisans took refuge. Not even a democrat will have the hardihood henceforth to assume that Dakota lacks one of the requisites of statehood. With a case so clearly established, this question cannot longer be kept from assuming rank as a national issue. If the democratic party insists, as it is prepared to do, that Dakota shall stay out simply because her coming in would probably imply an addition of two senators on the republican side, then Dakota will play a prominent part in the next national contest between the two parties. There is a limit beyond which not even party attachment can be relied upon for the perpetuation of wrong. It is, therefore, well considered for Dakota's representatives to meet in council, to prepare a constitution and to renew formally their petition for the rights that are constitutionally theirs. Let the territory speak once more with no uncertain sound. If a greedy and unprincipled natty shall again turn a deaf ear, the people will soon hear and answer. (48) C. CONVENTION PERSONNEL, COMMITTEES AND PROCEDURES On April 10, 1885, the Black Hills Daily Times (Deadwood) publicized scheduling and procedures of the 1885 constitutional convention. The law providing for the holding of a constitutional convention for that portion of Dakota lying south of the 46th parallel, introduced and championed by Hon. F. J. Washabaugh of Deadwood, provides that on Tuesday, the first day of September, 1885, the separate counties shall, at a regularly called election, select delegates to attend the convention at Sioux Falls on the 29th of September, which convention shall draft a constitution, which shall be submitted to a vote of the people at a special election, at the same election state officers provided for in the constitution, members of congress and members of the legislature shall be elected. …
Publication Year: 2014
Publication Date: 2014-06-22
Language: en
Type: article
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