The Arkansas advocate., 1835-10-09

posed to all the dangers and difficulties of q border people, duty to ourselves and to cur country should prompt us to become q iiilii- ed and harmonious community, In order that we may more securely rely upon each other for support, should the hour Of trial ever arrive. Our situation, t IS true, gives us strong claims upon the protecting arm of the General Government, whose duty it is 10 preserve peace anion5 the indian tfeesi and defend the frontiers of the Union yet, without union and harmony at home, even the acknowledged patriotism and bravery of the people of Arkansas might prove an un- avai!ng reliance, should our liberties ever be assaulted by powerful invading force.
 congratulate you. gentlemen, upon your having met for the last time as the iegissa- tive department ofa dependent government. From an enumeration of the inhabitants of this Territory, taken for the present year, our population Is found to be equal to the ratio fixed for Federal Representation. This circumstance. together with the ac- cession of wealth and intelligence which have accompanied thls influx of population, 1 has created, in the minds of the people, strong desire to throw off their dependent condition. This spirit of independence ought not 10 be repressed, and ii is the duty l of the Peoples Representatives to do every thing in their power calculated to aid them l in the accomplishment Of their wishes. In government like that of the United States,
 in which the rights of man are secured by Republican Consultations, and which is composed of State sovereignties, enjoying the right of seif-governHent to the fullest extent, 1t was but reasonable 10 expect, that the people of this Territory, who have tenn pofariiy consented to live in dependent government, and to submit to the authority of superior power, should look forward with pleasure to the time when they are to be freed from their dependent situation, and enabled to establish a government of their own.
 Considering the pecuniary sacrifices and l the increase of burthens which a change of government was calculated to produce, fave doubted tic expectancy of too sudden change, hiit have feit no desire 10 check the tide Of popular opiniea in favor of a State Government; and, as the people have willed if, 1 how feel 1t to be my duty 10 for ward this important object, by all the means competent to be used by the Executive power of this Territory.
 The United States must make final surrender to the people of this Territory, of their right to the sovereignty of ihe soil and right of domain, within our boundaries, and must declare the people within those limits, 1 to be, as community, sovereign and in- dependent, before We can be freed from our colonial condition. Whenever this is done with the consent of inc people, this l Territory will become State, and, under the Federal Constitution, will go into the Union upon all equal footing with the osi- ginal States. Ny reflections upon the pro- vision in the Constitution, vesting the pow CT In Congress ''to admit new States into l the Union,a have led me to the conclusion, l that the work eff admission Is commenced, when Territorial Government Is organiz- ed within ihe limits of the Union, and that II is continued by progressive steps through the various grades of Territorial Govern nent, until al last the Territory Is acknoWl- edged by Congress to be an independent State, and authorized 10 take upon herself eiIgoYernment. The Territory then be- comes Slate, and beng already within the boundaries of the United States, must necessarily be one of the States of the con- ] iederacy. l have doubted, also, the power ct Congress to require the submission of l the Constitution of new State 10 theul, l for their approval. This seems 60 me to be unnecessary, as ii is in the power of the State. immediately afterwards, to change her fundamental law m any of it's features, not inconsistent with lhe restrictions pre- scribed by the Federal Constitution. IL is the United States, and not Congress, who have guaranteed to each State in the Union, Republican form of government. They nave imposed an obligation on themselves to see thal the governments of all the States are Republican. Ii a new State, in adopt- iag her findamentai law, or an old one, in altering her Constitution, make their gov ernments in any respect ami republican, they violate their obligations 10 the Federal Constitution, and place themselves in an attitude of defiance towards the United States; aud, until they change the anti-re- pubhcau features of their Constitutions, they must be regarded as guilty of rebellion.
 To fix and establish the fundamental principles ssof civil and religious llberty.,' as the .sbasis ot all laws, constitutions. and governments" and to assist and protect the