The Arkansas advocate., 1835-08-14
NO. E9

have formed their consultations and sto,e governments under the authority of inc government of the United States, and that the act granting this power must have been considered, in every instance, m indispen- sabie preliminary step. The I'stfitorie; oi tie United States are fee and republican governments. but as they are ereated by Congress and thence derive all their Idseers, they aro clearly dependent govefnmeiits.s
 Under the views here presented, can the Genefal AssemGy, vested only with power ay orr organic law, to make aws for the 4 eflfte4g ef .396aisasa pass an uct autaor- i2ing the people 10 hold . convention 10 to make ! Gonstiiqlion. when the people themselves have not the power, and cannot exercise i laRiullj. onld rot m aet of tie General Assembly, by means esuhieh the Territorial government would bs dis solved, be directly "repugnant to, and in- consistent with" the organic la@, and: con sequeDtly, nuil and yoid
 The words Of the organic law are "The General Assembly shall have power to make ais both both tigii tgii aud cfifnifsj. for the good 8ouernlasai ef lie people oj said ief'7tolg, not replignaat to, or inconsistent with the constitution and laws of the United States. The legislative power of the 1Se- neral Assembly is strictly confined to raak- ing laws .fof fhe TsfatoT4. They have no power to dissolve, or disorganizs, fa aifer CT change the government established ii9y the parent government. Nor can the General Assembly efeet anew form of government, nor can they vest in the people power winch they do not themselves possess. 0 pass, therefore, aH aet of tue I.iad pro- Posed Ii my positions afe correct, would be an act of usurpation, and void. IS szwould also De any act Of the people under it. II, therefore, were to give my aid 10 this yin- lawful proceeding, should consider myself to be forsWorn and from this consideration only, and not from any Of those unworthy motives which are imputed to me, I have declined to convene the Legislature at an earlier period ihan usual.
 am not opposed to the admission of Arkansas, at the earliest possible period after she has obtained the proper authority 10 form state Constitution. ftrust l will bo es much pleased as any other citizen. to see the Sta.e of Arkansas take her proud station as one of the independent States of the American Union. Populations, iatelli- gence, and wealth, are now flowing into this Territory; and We have every reason 10 hope that ere long we will possess Il ilourlshlhg, prosperous and happy people. entertain no fears as 10 the admission of the State of Arkansas, whenever she pre- sents to Congress arepublican Constitution, made under the sanction and authority of the government itself and think all grounds Of approximations as 10 unjust or unreasonable restrictions, are without foundation. am satisfied that Congress will be as free to extend to the people of this Territory all the rights and powers 10 which they may properly now lay claim, as they have heretofore been generous in acts of lberalty and munifieenee. Tie govern ment of the United States has too much at stake. to rish the consequences of exclud- ing sovereign State after she has establish ed an independent government, under her authority; and indeed, Congress cannot do i in good faith, she presents a consfitat,on conforming n allrespeols with the principles ofthe federal constitution. Ihaqe no doubt but that our Delegate can obtain for the peo- pie the power needed, Letsit then, be ob- tained immediately after tic opening 1.-The next session of Congress, so that he Con- veniion may be assembled in March or April next and every difficulty will then be re-. moved, aud the admission of the State of Arknansas into tho Union can easily be ef- ] fected before the adjournment of the next Congress. VIM. s. FULTON.
 LitAs Roek, August 1, 1885.
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