Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1846-02-28

II IOHyIteS 10 w cbs HI tiiC Cdcc VI hiCui-dbs
Congress said they might ,Daire their right to
first authorize Territory to become State. if
they chose to do so but they by no means
yielded the principle, tina, The act OF the Ter
ritory was Illegal, in such case, unless first
authorized by Congress.
II is true, Congress, TO all appearance, will
be glad to get rid of US as Territory and
the probability is very great that in our case,
as 10 that of Michigan, they will waive their
prerogaiive if we 60 but.ing our heads against
the door Of that august assemblage before il is
opened for our reception bnt then, il will be
with Us, as it was with Michigan, ,ce must
pay our oacn expenses in the matter, which
will not be less. probably, than $4,000, or
possibly $4,000, including the taking CT the
census.
Michigan, / think, had something in her
treasury, as she had provided for Territorial
tax sooner than we did; but yet she had to
borrow some $4,000. Of rag currency man.
ufactory. to pay her Convention. Some CAL
culaie that $50 900, will pay our Conventional
expenses, because Michigan borrowed that
amount for that purpose. Bot il should be re.
neinbered that Michigan had to JorroD this
amount. over and above the taxes she had lev.
led for that same purpose; thus beginning the
world. as it were, with this amount added to
her other improvident debt.
| Our head-long Legislators have provided. first
for the sale of the Milwaukee Canal Lands, for
which they had no earthly right. and then.
secondly. they have provided to take the avails
of j! to pay the expenses Of the Convention.
The amount thus used, therefore, becomes in
fac, debt. kind Of forced loan, which must
be subsequently, paid. 1t is supposed now, if
all the liabilities of the Territory were known,
that our public deb, is little il any less than
$4,000; and to build Penitentiary will re-
quire some $50,ooo more, which we must have
or suffer rogues to run at large. Now 10 add
10 all this the expense of holding Convention.
and deb. like that is no hifing matter.
| can but think, that if our woud-be Sena-
tors, Congressman. Governors, Judges, &c. &c.
are as patriotic as they are anxious for pet
office, they would be willing to wait year or
two. seeing il would be so much to the benefit
Of their dear constituents, till we see whether
Congress- will not authorize Us 10 become a
State, and make an appropriation to cover the
expense thereof.
lam aware that il is our right TO be admitted
into the Union--not to force our way into it
when we have 10000 inhabitants and we
certainly have more than that now, but this
abstract right does not foot the bill of the ex-
pence. The Duiohmon sail, " He was fool,
that would bite his own nose off to spite his
face.'' And he tina. will load himself with
deb, for the monetary qualification Of crow
ing upon his o,cn dung hill" cannot be much
wiser.
Before people vote for becoming State.
prudence and wisdom will say-count the
cost. If We are not in too great hurry, Con-
press, not only to do Us justice, but TO get rid
of US as Territory. will make the necessary
appropriation. When young couple get
married and begin the world for themselves, i,
| is great accommodation TO have the expense
thereof paid, and small ouii, furnished, by
their parents or friends. Bot if, on the con-
trary, they rush hastily into the matter, make
an expensive wedding and outfit. and, iss the
whole, contract heavy debt, they will grapple
long with poverty and trouble, if not become
bankrupt in ihe end.
Now people may and viii do as they please.
but, unless Congress makes an appropriation
10 cover the expense Of our Convention SO that
we hear of il before the first Tuesday Of April
next, we ought certainly to vote against be-
coming State, and to use all fair and honor
able means TO induce others TO do likewise.
There is one other very serious objection TO
this State law. and one which will influence
many votes against the measure. That is, lis
alien principle. foreigner who has been six
mouths in the Territory, and has declared his
intention TO become citizen, has right, not
only to vote, bu, is competent TO be elected
a delegate" TO the Convention. Under the
operation of this Law persons who were born
in foreign lands. and are, by the laws Of ma
lions, under allegiance-and have not taken
any oath OF allegiance 10 our uosefnmeh' OF
country. and perhaps never may-for all who
declare their intention to do so, do no, do 1t;
may no, only vote for delegates, but may be
delegates 10 form our State constitution Un-
iii foreigner is naturalized you cannot compel
him to bear arms in defence of the coun,ry;
and yet, under this law he may have voice in
making the paramount law Of The land And
when he has The power thus in his own hands,