Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1847-01-23


vid Ogden, John Quincy Adams, Chief
Justice Marshall, Judge Story. and
many other able lawyers and Jurists
have decided that an issue made with
Illinois for this claim in the Supreme
Court could not fail. Sir, am surpri-
sed that the opinion Of one gentleman
here should be taken and made the ha-
SIS of our action rather than the opin-
ions Of the gentleman before quoted.
And ! was not less surprised to hear
/ that gentleman say we did not want the
territory in disputc-that our state
was now large enough, and too Iarg
What state egotism? The state was
now too large!-did not wish il lar
ger! What cortcmptible system Of
fnancierlng! What an unnatural and
unheard Of magnanimily! Why, gen
tlcman, who own large farms or much
land, do you not give away to your
neighbors, who have none, all but what
is required for your own cultivation?
Practice the system with your own
property that you recommend and
urge upon the Convention,
| have no other reasons to urge TO
influence the convention to retain the
provso. First, the interests Of the
people Of the disputed district, WHO
have wish to be with us in Wiscon-
sin, as they form legitimate portion
Of the fifth division Of the Northwest
Territory. Tie interests Of these poo
pie are identified with ours-their
sympathics are with us-,hcir prefer
enccs are with us-thc expression
which we called on them TO make
was made for US and TO be with US.
and they are expecting that this Con-
vention. will make provision for them.
and by our admission enable them to
become part and portion of Wiscon-
sin.
Again, the burdens Of supporting q
state government would be greatly les.
scned BY the disputed territory forming
q part Of the State. The assessed val
nc ofthis portion Of the State is nearly
equal to that Of Wisconsin proper. :.
The expense, to extend the state GOV
eminent over the whole would be but
trihing; therefore the burthcn of the
expense felt by the supporters of the
government must be greatly diminish
! ed.
Entertaining these views would
that my right arm should wither soon
CIR than sign constitution that did not
retain or possess the right to make the
issue as proposed by this proviso, for
the Incorporation Of the disputed dis.
trict within the limits Of the future
state Of Wisconsin. And however
reebly these reasons may have been
presented, ! will ask the convention to
pause for a moment before voting on
Il ttIis, tho .aost i-opo~t~"t raaiiirn in the
constitution. Are the rights to the conn-
try in dispute to be, to US, irrevocably
lost-etcrnally and hopelessly lost
II is not mere question OF day or OF
years, or a proposition to be incorPo-
rated into the constitution to be aItcs-
ed or amended for the necessities OF
the future; but il is giving away forev-
or and without compensation, rights
which we hold by an ordinance as sa'
cred TO us rs our own lifc's blood, and
as binding on Congress as the most sol
emn contract can be in the sight q
immutablc justice and right.
A word upon another branch Of thu
subject, and am done. | wish, Mr.
. President, to call the attention Of thC
members to the proposition which bai
, been presented here TO change the lint
Of the northwest boundary. Impor
, tant as it is, it has hitherto been con
sidercd Of little consequence by th'
majority Of this Convention. vie"
It in different light. consider IT
= question faught with momentous con
, scouences. ask members if they arc
Drapared to reject, cast of, or give a
way, without any consideration, TWEEN
tv-lire thousand square miles OF valua-
bic territory bordering on the Alissis-
siDsi and extending to Lake Superior,
cour.cd by many large and navIgable
rivers. fertile in soil. rich in minerals
and valuable for its lumber, and rapid
" settling with an industrious and en-
+ tcrpri5ing population. ask, are you
prepared without instructions from
that portion of the Terriiory-without
regard TO the interests Of the west, OF
the opinion, will and wishes Of more
than twenty delegates from the west,
who stand united upon this floor in one
+ solid nhalanx on this question, and