Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1846-02-03
REMARKS OF MR. C. CROSWELL,
OF wALwoRTH COUNTY,
ON TIE SUBJECT OF STATE GOVERNMENT
In the House Of Representatives. January
18th IS46

In the House Of Representatives. January
18th lS46.
The Governors Message being under
consideration, in Committee OF the Whole,
Mr.. CRoswELL rose and said:
Mr.. Chairman: There is one subject
embraced in the able message of our wor-
thy executive. and alluded TO in the joint
resolutions from the Council, which am
of the opinion, has more than any other,
claimed the attention of my constituents;
and upon this subject beg leave to offer a
few observations. Viewing the final con-
summation Of the proposition of State
Government iol the people ofthis Territory
and the many complicated and vitality i'm
portant questions intimately connected with
it, as the stepping stone 10 our future pros
perity or adversely, must be my apology for
occupying the attention Of the committee
at time when our existence as branch Of
the Territorial Legislature must, necessarily
so soon terminate.
1t has been truly said that il is sublime
spectacle TO behold young nation on the
eve of preparing for war. 1t is not the re-
Election equally noble and sublime when
we contemplate the triumphant progress of
freedom and selEgovernment Oh this cont
non A nation offreeman, that, in so short
space Of time numbers her millions, liv-
ing h7ppi'y under the benign influence of
her equitable laws. The change that is now
occupying The minds of our people, will but
add another link in the great chain that
binds ths-Union in the glorious cause Of
civil and religious liberty. Another, ard
yet another, will soon join US in our on
ward march in this triumphant experiment.
But i, is no longer problem 1t has be-
come cheering reality. Seventy years ex-
per ence must convince the world that man
is capable Of self-government. The pro-
gress of law and order-the extension Of ed
ucalion, refinement and civilization, and
the thousand incentives TO peace and hap
piness, all so closely interviewer with our
progress as a nation, must cause every true
philanthrop;st to rejoice at the wide range
our state sovergntes are taking, and the
enlightened provisions of their constitutions
Even Texas-''poor, benighed, lost Tex
as''-so often pointed out as the vilest spot
on the continent as the refuge of every
villain that left the States. has given to her
people in many respects,the most liberal and
democratic constitution possessed by any
State in this Union.
Sir, ours must truly be a change from
Territorial dependence-migh | no; say
~as-aalg 2-to that of State sovereignty and
Independence. Who does not know, that
at present we are scarcely respected in the
halls of Congress? Wis -ons;n can be seen,
sess; on after session, suppliani for those
fa,ors which belong TO her. and should be
demanded as hci right-tavors which are
granted 10 the States as soon as asked. -
Look at the last appropriation made for our
Territorial expenses! cut down to a most
niggarIy pttance ofdollars and cents. A
gain, the appropriations for harbors on our
Like shores, so much needed TO preserve
the lives and property ofour citizens. Year
after year have the citizens ofthis Territory
memoralized Congress for these appropi-
atoms, aud pointed out the great necessity
for them, and the tendency they would have
to hasten The settlement of the country, I'M
I'll the people were absolutely driven to un-
dertakc the work themselves. And finally
when Congress could 10 longer turn deaf
ear TO our supplications, witness the ertrcme
Hberalny of the appropriations. Not one
quarter the amount really necessary for the
con D G il n Of the works; thereby creating
vexa,ious delays and damages, that by a
more LIBERAL course of policy might have
been avoided. Why this indifference and
nattenlion to our wants? Is it not our own
| insgnifcance?-ou lack of weight and in
1uence on the floors of Congressl-Sir the
the grand secret is, that we have no share
in President-makinS. We are of no &C
count in the Presidential canvass, and ouI
rights never will be duly respected, until
VIC assume that position.
five are TO plpce ourselves under q
State form of government within period
of five or six years, and believe its mos
determined opponents do not contemplate
| a more remote period, then the sooner some
decisive action is had the better. That a
great change has taken place among the
people since the last vote was had in refer
ence to il, believe is conceded in every
quarter. In the county of which thave the
honor in part TO represent, scarcely an ind
vidual can be found opposed 10 it. Ou
laws want revising. A glance at the stat
ute book will show any man how great the
necessity. We have some laws that are
most clearly Observation-Disclosures tina
are vague and unmeaning; and may pos,
sess but one merit,-and that 4 negative
one,-giving to each individual an opportu
nifty cf placing construction upon them Il
suit himself.
Our Territorial OF State limits is anothe
question that should attract the early at,en
ton of the people. 1t is matter of regre
that il could not have been settled long err
this. when there were fewer obstacles il
the way of a fair and candid adjustment
II Congress in its assembled wisdom ha
. wrongfully given portions of our Tcrritor,
t to Illinois and Michigan, We must ccrialni
: assert our claim to a candid investigation
and firmly maintain our right TO exercise
jurisdiction over every portion OF that whc
clearly belongs 10 us in administering on
State government This question OF Ter
ritorial Limits has already been agita,ed, an
the inhabitants of that portion of lllinoi
claimed as belonging 10 our Territory. ar
ready, nearly to man,to join their destin,
with ours.
: Among the many objections that | hav
; heard urged against Stale governmental
-, r.,,p;nent are these: That ave hav