The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-03-02

PVrSHht IHOhn Now MEXICO.
ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE FAvoR OF THE FoRMA-
rIoS or STATE GOVERNMENT.
From The lSoula Ne, HIer;.o, n.....l..Q

Important from Now Mexico.
ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE IN FAvoH OF THE FoRMA-
rios OF STATE GOVERNMENT
From the Santa FS Netc Merican, December g.
solemn crisis in your affairs is at hand, and
every interest which you deem to be sacred and
which you are bound, good citizens 10 protect
Is endangered. The undersigned are your fellow
citizens and the pending will involve us alike
IN one common late. The evils with which we are
aticted ought to be tolerated by no freernen; and
we are threatened with still greater evils ought
we, therefore, ignomniously servilely and savish-
~ submit, and deserve the contempt of all man
Kihos SUBMISSION to wrongs is not characters
TIC OF an American heart; then let us be freemen-
let US consult together, look at the dangers around
us iuil In the face ascertain the true character of
the impending crisis, and if we cannot all think
and act in concert?
we hold that Mexicans, Americans, and others,
residing IN this Territory, are American citizens,
and all alike entitled to the rights privileges,
and protection. We all equals, and what will
affect the one must affect the other and cannot
resist the conclusion-it is our bounden duty to
place New Mexico on footing Of perfect equality
with the Proudest and most prosperous State of our
10 aid in bringing about this grand result is the
object OF this address to the people of New Mexico.
we desire to throw of the slavish manacles which
bind US to obedience TO the miserable apology for
CIVIL government which now obtains in this Terri
tory, and to infuse into the body polite dis
crction-an energy that will protect our lives and
property--an enlarged and sounder morality and
TO call 10 the public service distinguished for
their sagacity, uprightness, and wisdom. In doing
this the principles OF our federal Constitution must
be the polar star that shall direct us in this holy
undertaking to establish for ourselves, our wives
and children, good government, in which we
may live happily and securely We will not, know
ingly, advise course that, by the merest POSSIBLE
ity, shall violate the sacred right of single citizen
in this Territory. We shall advocate the formation
OF republican constitution, which is authorized and
nf fhe nil Stat
and we repudate all factous movements, and de-
sire careful and severe examination of the facts,
which we shall now briefly advert to, to the end
that an honcst, expression of the majority
shall control and fix the destiny of this people;
and to their potential voice shall ever bow with
profound Difference.
The want of good laws, 80 enforced as to secure
the end OF honest associations, is so manifestly OBJ
vious, further ausion to the evils resulting there
from is deemed wholly unnecessary. No one is
secure IN his person or property. Our fellow cit.
zens are murdered and robbed, and our wives and
children are seized captives by the savage In
dams, who roam over your magnificent mountains
and your beautiful and fertile valleys, that they
may riot in blood and carnage, and carry desola-
ton and pollution into your domestic sanctuaries.
Are not these things true, and you unwilling
to do aught to put an end to the horrible desecra
ton to which we, the people of this Territory,
daily subjected? We trust not. A Christian hui
manity forbids 1t, and savage humanity should
forbid it.
Among the remedial measures suggested, is the
illusory one of territorial government, to be estab
hshed by an act OF Congress. 1t is now abuudantly
apparent that the Congress Of the United States will
grant no such government, and, we are constrained
to say the folly and absurdity of urging the people
to await further developments is equaIled only by
the suicidal policy recommended--for it gives to
your enemies the time and power to trample you
down, and to triumph over your degradation and
downfall. But if the reverse were possible, could
territorial government effectually the
determinations SO universally desired in this ter
a phprrd not In tnrrr fAr tol frnU-
ernments, the chief and controlling officers
selected at Washington city, by individuals whom
we are proud to honor; but our isolation and
the peculiar circumstances which surround us
cude the idea that they better able TO Judge
corning our wants and necessities than we, who
victmized by imbecile and netficien. govern
ment. The republican doctrine of the world is the
people are capable of wise self government Are
we, Of this Territory, ready to contradict this we'll
established fact, to abase ourselves and to acknow
ledge our ignorance and weakness, and our infe-
rority to those to whom it is privilege and duty
to become equals II SO, why ask for any partici-
patton in the conduct of the government Of the Ter
ritory! Let us bow to our masters, and cease our
comp ainings.
We have heard but two reasons urged in favor of
territorial government. First-tbat we, the peo-
pie, are incapable of self government-an obsolete
idea, that is entertained nowhere in Christendom,
unless ii has abiding place in this Territoryan
idea perfectly shocking TO an honest democracy, to
a puse repubcanism. Is it possible the few who
may control without the fear favor, affection Of
the people, wiser and better men, more Just and
sagacious, than when they mix with and impart
their light and knowledge to the great mass, The
idea Is prcpostcrous, and If the opinion nothon
estly entertained, would be a gross insult 10 the
people, and deserving of the condemnation
The relief from taxation is the second
urged in favor OF territorial government. We
pray that the people of New Mexico may not be
deceived in this matter. In all govern ments and
in all countries the people taxed directly in
directly, and the taxes now unequally levied and
paid In this territory would be abundantly sufti-
cient TO support State government, il properly
expended. But the truth is the people Of terrific
rial governments not exempt from taxation,
and he who denies this fact is ignorant in the
trcme, or is trying TO deceive you. Because of the
want of system wholesome legislation rigid ac-
countabty, we are justified in the conclusion that
under n State government your taxes would not be
necessarily increased beyond the present amounts
which you pay, but equalized in such manner
TO be oppressive to no one. freeman selfish
and mean at heart 10 be unwilling 10 make rea-
sonable, just, and equal contributions, all things
considered, Is unworthy Of the protection of be-
neficent government.
But the people Of New Mexico have claims upon
the justice and libcrality of the Congress Of the
United States that cannot be disregarded. Con-
gress has been liberal in her appropriations Of
money and grants OF public lands to the territories
and States. We are perfectly assured the present
Administration, and the present Congress Of the
United States. will mete out 10 us a Just and equal
hbcrality, and can do so only by money stock
appropriations ana why DO we say 30. because
one, in out Of this Territory, can point out TO
any one the public lands of this Territory, nor will
they be able 10 do for many, many years to
come And further, Is il not the duty Of the Gov
eminent of the United States 10 adjust every title
that may be contested by the Government and a
CITIZEN We think 80; and 30 far relieve the State
that is ahe people, from all uncertainty and unjust
taxation. Such claims have upon the justice
and iberality of the Government Of tho United
States, we repeat, cannot be disrcgarded.
But the subject Of taxation is one Of minor nte-
rest, compared with the freedom Of the citizen,
and theprotection due to his sanctuary. Military
domination in this territory, under the circum-
stances, is necessary evil but who is IL that docs
not declsim against II, as at direct with the
spirit Of our American institutions, and who is il
that will sympathze with suffering people, who
have.the remedy in their own hands and refuse TO
administer III
To correct the evils 10 which we have briefly adj
verted, suppose you had State government. Your
governor would have authority 70 call out troops to
snnihate the impudent and audacious Indians who
prowling through your territory destroying the
very elements Of all prosperity; and in doing so, he
would give quiet and protection TO every citizen and
sojourner within your Jurisdiction and the Govern
ment Of the United States would be bound 10 pay