The Arkansas advocate., 1835-06-26


 }-sufficient to protect their property and their lives. Knowing the rich quality of our soil, the temperature of our climate, the advantages of our navigation, and the general cohVeniences of our country. the merchant, the capitalist, and the planter, of wealth and enterprise, from all of the ] Southern and Western States, have poured ! in upon us, to invest their means in the fatness of the land before its prices were enlarged by the erection of government, which would open the eyes of all, and bring on the most wary as well as the ad- venturous. Previous to that, men of wealth would not risk their fortunes among US. And it is men of wealth-capitalist -slave-holders- land-holders,- must pay the taxes and support govern ment. They have more that requires pro- lection, and 1t IS just that they should pag more to protect 1t. What, fellow citizens, was the situation of Arkansas, before this strong indication of a State Government was advanced to the nation? For several years her means had been at stand, the population had increased but little and her moral character less; and 1t Is a matter of fact, though the blush may mantle on our cheek in its acknowledgment, that instead of moral improvement we had rather re- trograded in the scale of beng depravity of manners and even crime seemed 10 assume a stand and boldness among us, against which the frailty of our laws and ! the exertions of the better disposed found 1t in vain to contend. Contrast our pres- ent prospect with those existing four years ago. The most obtuse mind can surely see the difference. Instead of the outcast, the refugee, and the culpfit from the peni- l tentiary and the dungeon, we now open our arms to receive the honest farmer, the in- dustrious mechanic, the enterprisng poor man, as we'll as the rich, to gladden. the land and assist Us in the promotion of the art and moral of living, as we'll as ill the in- portant matter of self-government. Within the last twelve months, without data to give at this tirse the precise amount, public lands have been sold for about eight hundred thousa,,d dollar8, as we are well informed, q sum without parallel in former years. - The revenue arising from those lands, and the capital placed upon them, would of it. l self almost pay the expenses of State Government. Then, Mir. Chairman, if the bare movement in favor of this policy, by our constituted agent at Washington City, has produced such an accumulation of means in so short time, what may we not expect from the adoption and final ratifica- 1 ton of the measure by the whole People Mississippi and Red River, within them- selves, are amply able to sustain an inde- pendent government ;-Are not Arkansas and White River, with their ample resour- ces, of equal ability-and equally patriotic and willing? Then where Is the futile ob- l jection that, "ace are loo poor" A moYe- ment in the matter four years ago, when our claims were as strong as now because the ratio representation had not then been increased, would at this day have found us in much more prosperous condition. But the enquiry is made, why is our Territory now in debt? There are many reasons why 1t is so. The revenue from the lands appropriated to private use within the last year, Is not yet realized. The taxes upon 1 slaves introduced within the same time have not been realized. Our revenue laws are not good. They are not well executed. ] Every officer in the Territory has some in : 1 fluence. upon the Treasury: from our Gov ernor and Judges down to the Justices ofthe Peace. A proper responsibility is not pla- ced upon our officers, because we have but a very partial power to control them.- When all our officers become dependent upon the people, as they would be under a State Government, their duties would be more faithfully discharged. The eyes of the people always upon, and with power to call to account and disgrace, an officer for dereliction of duty, would have a much more salutary influence upon his con duct, than tribunal which has little or no interest in the matter. two thousand miles distant. With the same means which we have heretofore had, confidently hazard the opinion, that under State Constitution, with well regulated revenue laws, and with the same taxes that we have heretofore paid our Treasury instead of embarrassment would now be Gtil and oyerfowing It requires no arithmetieian to tell its condi- ton with our increase of wealth. As to the objections that we have not sufficient population, 1t carries absurdity stamped on it's face. Though on terms of amlty with the present executive, l am not in the se- erets of the cabinet; but am informed that by fair computation of the population oi the counties from which the returns of the census have not been received, by comparl- son with those which bave, and with the former returns of the census, that that ofii-