Du Buque visitor. [volume] (Dubuque, Lead Mines, Wisconsin Territory) 1836-1837, 1836-11-16
Vol. NO. ISL

form them that no Sttc3 2dlpefs Htett "'o' S "
his office! Where were they! In the hands
Of the governor. Did he wish 70 make tne aP
nortionment in secret? Or did he fear that If
the census was seen, that Belmont would not
appear as the centre Of population! Why did
not the governor insert the number of inhablt-
ants of this territory in his proclamation! He
should have done it to satisfy the minds ofthe
people, that Belmont was the centre of popu-
iation, and that he had made correct appor-
:ionrsisn. to each cf the counties.
1t singular anomaly in the history OF this
territory, that her governor should have acaited
until the great city Of Belmont was reared up by
Spectator from Illinois, before he convened
the legislative assembly, and at time when
the people We're looking forward with tremb-
ling anxiety to the period when the unconnect-
ed mass of organic materials should be cement
ed by the representatives of the people---when
courts ofjustice and law should be established
to protect the ssweak against the strong," and
when peace and order should take the place of
tumult and confusion.
Look at the time that elapsed from the 9TH
dav of July, until the governors proclamation
was issued. Did it require all this time to
take the census! Why then this delay! Was
it not to give time to the Belmont proprietor
to complete the council house, and other build
ings, and were not those buildings nearly COM
pete when the proclamation was issuede
Why was not this, and other proclamations
signed by the secretary Of the territory? Is
he not as much legal officer as the governor
himself! The act establishing the territorial
government Of Wisconsin, has provided that
the secretary of said territory ''shaA record and
preserve all the la,os and proceedings of the le-
gislatiue assembly hereinafter constituted, md
nh he cfe nf
his ececutive department' How is it possible
for the secretary of this territory to discharge
that duty, which the law has enjoined upon
him, and which he would willingly perform,
unless those documents which relate to execu-
tive proceedings are placed in his hands?
The governor should have remembered, in
calling the legislative assembly at Belmont,
that he laid himself liable to one Of the same
charges made against the king of Great Bri-
tain, In the celebrated declaration of indepen-
dence: "That he has called together Legislative
bodies, at places unusual, uncomfortable, and
distant tram the repository Of their public re-
Cords" DC. This charge is almost literally
true. Yes, this was one of the charges II,
support Of 'aohich, the heroes and sages of the
revolution, sspleaged their Eres, their fortunes,
and their sacred honor" and was one Of the
causes which impelled the separation of the
colonies from Great Britain forever; and here
must say, that the converting the legislative
body at Belmont, a place u,,comf ortu6le ssand
assfant'' from books and documents, necessa-
ry for the use of the members, has been the
cause ao!sich impclled the separation of great
number Of citizens from the governor of this
territory.
If ever sincerely regretted the act Of pub
lie officer, it was this. Governor DODGE came
to this territory popular man, and l say de-
safvediy so---he was received warmly by the
people, and they hailed with more than COM
mon Joy, the return oftheir fellow-citizen, with
an appointment which placed him in the exc
cutlye chair; but when they saw him turn
round, and in their very faces convene the
hrst Legislative assembly, at place almost u
Universally execrated in this territory. "a place
built up expressly for the seat of government
'by sordid Spectator from Illinois, whose
only object was speculation, they were struck
with amazement.
ii the governor has lost many friends and
supporters. he may justly charge the loss up
on that insignificant place, Belmont, and it's
grasplng proprietor, whether he was interest
ed In that place or not. If Interested for him
self, or his relations. or if no wis. ID to build
up John Atchison, he has now reaped his re-
ward.
must now diyerge from the course inten-
ded to have pursued in this communication,
and once more notice some editorial remarks,
which appeared in the Belmont Gazette of
NOV. 9Th. Of the voluntary apology limited 1T,
C"rtitss knows nothing. He will be the last
10 oiier an excuse when none can be fairly de-
manded. Such a course may be taken by the
person alluded to, or by the Belmont editors
and their covert assistants; but such will not
De the course of Curtius. Some who have an
OBJECT to gain, will be obsequious to the great,
assume the manners and language best suited
to their purpose,
land crook the pregnant hinges of the knee,
Where thrift may follow fawning.''
The editors of the Gazette have stated once
Jor all, that they are the sole editors and pyogyi-
etors Of that establishment. This assertion |
doubt materially. They may be the ostensible
editors and proprietors Of that press; but does
not certain individual, formerly editor of the
Galenlan," stand behind the curtain as the
chlef Juggler! the same man who was the COM
Panon and pulfer Of the governor in the last
indian War, and whose prowess was so great
vas 1t Is sadly that he fearlessiy assaulted and
look the scalp of dead Indian!' Does not
one OF the editors well remember his old en-
Pioyer! Does he not know how well he paid
MS Journeymen printers!
The editors Of the Gazette have acknowledq.
ca, that at one time, the proprietor of Belmont
a .,ld o'om mat press, and am inclined to think
that In fact he is the owner still.
As the editors of the Gazette are fond or :;
wing advice, Curtius will now take the sane
privilege, and say to them, that thew should be
eztremely cautious how they use the word I'm.
n I, for it might be applied to them and
ahe establishment of that press with ten fold
force, and they should beware how thew chal.
lenge its application. s-'''
IN CURTIUS.
ITO he coof;nuo1N