Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1842-07-22

approaches, we feel cOnslSaneu, tOnA 'A1o
por.ance Of this subject, 10 present every reason
which, in our opinion, should induce the people 70
cast their votes ron Conviction, at least no 'ae a.
our limited sphace snd the shorsness OF time Will
permit.
The question We are called upon to decide i new
in the history Of Territories or Of gosernme"t-no
people, except the people Of Iowa. were ever called
upon to decide whether they would form govern
ment for themselves or not previous to direct action
in the matter. Heretofore, Gas the history OF the
past proves) Congress has passed law authorizing
the people of the several different Territories 10 meet
in convention and form State Constitution, 10 be
presented for their consideration and when acted up
on, they have been received into the Union on an
eouai;y with the other members OF the confederacy
But with us the ease is different-we, as people,
are first to decide whether we will take this STEP be-
fore any measures be adopted to effect and Sc
cure so desirable an object.
Michigan was the first Territory to vary from this
general practice She, in advance OF any action on
on the part of Congress, held a convention; when,
to accompany her, the Legislature of the Territory
of Arkansas, then in session. passed an act author
izing and directing the people Of said Territory to
form Constitution, with the view Of admission at
the same time with Michigan. This law the Acting
Governor vetoed, when it was re-passed by the Or
eanic majority of two-thirds and became the law OF
the Territory. This was done in January, and un-
der it the people formed Constitution, and in the
month of juno following, with population OF but
about 10000, were admitted into the Union as the
State of Arkonsas, al the same time with Michigan
The practice of the country has become perma-
nentiy settled in relation TO the admission Of NEW
States so far as to admit neither northern or south
en-, State unless at the same time it be accompanied
in its application by from an opposite section OF
the country this has arisen and is fostered by the
jealousy that exists, and will exist between the
slave and nonslave-holding States-and this jeal-
busy must be overcome in the way it has hitherto
been. by the admission of two States at the same
time and from different sections of the country in
| reference to this sectional feeling.
Let us then inquire into the present condition Of
things. Some two years since, Robert Lucas, then
Governor Of the Territory, and who has ever felt
deep and abiding interes, it's welfare and prosper
y, in view Of its rapidly increasing population re-
commended and urged upon the Legislature the pro-
preiy, at that time, of taking steps to procure our
admission in company with the people Of FLORIDA,
who then were aeitating the subject. A bill was
introduced into the House of Representatives, pro-
viding for the people of Florida and Iowa to form
Constitution preparatory to their admission into the
Union. but for some couse this bill never became
law.
The people of Florida, however, did not remain
quiet under this action, but met in convention form
ed a Constitution. which, through their Delegate,
has been laid before Congress, and which now only
waits the action of that body to enable them to stand
upon the same footing their neighbor States
while Iowa has slmJered over her mort vital inter-
ests.
But Congress has not yet had any action upon
this Constitution and will not until northern, State
seeks admission with Florida. Wherefore it be-
comes momentous question 10 the people Of Iowa.
for them to determine whether they will accompany
consin shall effect her admission with the southern
| applicant. If we are not admitted with Florida. we
shall have to remain Territorial government sub
ect TO all the drawbacks we now experience doubly
increased for probaly period of twenty years-for
there is no southern Territory that can fellowship
with US when Florida is once 'admitted-we must
accompany her, or we are thrown back into servc
state of dependence upon a remote General Govern
ment whose interest in our behalf will decrease as
| the period Of our minorship increases
It is the hight of fully to suppose that Congress
will defray the expenses Of our Territorial Govern
ment for long period, when is known that we are
Territory of population of 100000, and with
ample resources, but too picoyunish and nigardy to
tax ourselves the small pittance necessary to deay
the expenses of selfgovernment.
The first reason then we would urge is here stated.
that we must either be admitted with Florida, OF
there is no hope of admission, except at remote
period, which we opine even the opponents of immc.
date admission would not relish or advocate.
Again, the present is very propitious time for
the formation of our Constitution, while the whole
country is deprissed in its pecuniary affair, arising
from the extravagant expenditures of public money
upon use less systems of internal improvement We,
with such lively examples before US. cannot fail to
profit by the folly Of neighbors. and the ruin
they have brought upon themselves and at the same
time organize our government upon basis of the
strictest economy.
As the State Of Iowa we should enjoy much
higher charcter abroad than, as Territory, we
could ever hope to attain. A Territory is look
ed upon as mirror, helpless. except SO far as
its guardian may he pleased to aid. and conse-
quent'y while in that station. subject TO all the