Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1850-08-21

mend any thing as ut to be adopted Dy
the people. Their whole duty was con-
fined to what they might be able 10 per
form. subordinate to the wishes OF the
people. In this matter II was evidently
contemplated that they were 10 act as the
agents of the inhabitants. and not As
officers Of this government. Ii must be
recolected that the only government then
existing in the Territory was quasi mill
tarv government; and Congress has
made no provision for the establishment
of anv form of civil government. and as
the President doubtless believed that.
under these circum stanc ess:,ie people had
a right TO frame government ior fhem-
selves. and submit II 10 Congress Tor lis
approval, the order was a direction that
the then existing government should not
stand in the wav of the accomplishment
of the wishes Of the people. nor to thwart
those wishes. if the people entertained
them. for thee establishment OF Tree. popu-
lar. republican civil government. for their
own protection and benefit. This IS evil
dently the whole purpose and object OF the
order. The military officer II. command.
and his associates. were American cltl-
zans. acquainted with the forms Of civil
and popular proceeding. and it was ex-
pected that thew would aid the inhabitants
Of the Territory by their advice and as
sistance in their proceedings for establish
ing government Of their own. There
IS no reason 10 suppose that Colonel
Monroe. officer as much distlngul she'd
for prudence and discretion as for gallant
conduct IN arms. meant 10 act. or did act
otherwise than in entire subordination and
subervencv 10 the will of the people
among whom he was placed lie was
not authorized to do. nor does the Presi-
dent understand him as intending to do
any thing whatever in his mi Itary charac-
ter. nor TO represent in any way the wishes
Of the Executive Government Of the L.
States.
To Judge intelligentlv and fairly ofthese
transactions. we must recall to our recol-
lection the circumstances OF the case as
they then existed.
Previous 10 the war with Mexico, which
commenced in May, 1916. and received
the sanction of Congress on the 18th Of
that month. the Territory of New Mexico
formed a department or State Of the Mexi-
can Republic, and was governed by her
laws.
General Kearnev. acting under orders
from this Government. invaded this de-
partment with an armed force; the Cover
nor fled at his approach and the troops
under his command diSpe -sel. and Gen.
kearney entered Santa fe. the capital. on
the 18th OF August, 8I6. and took pos
session Of the Territory in the name OF
the I nited States. On the 22l of that
month. he issued proclaim alton to the
inhabitants. stating the fact that he had
taken poss assion of Santa Fe. at the ne ad
Of his troops. and announcing Ibis in
tention TO hold the departu ent with its
original boundaries Con both sides Of the
Del Norte) and under the name Of New
Mexico.'
BY that proclamation he promised to
protect the inhabitants of New Mexico in
their persons and property. against their
Indian enemies. and all offers; and as
sured them that the United States intend
ed to provide for them a free government.
when the people would be called upon to
exercise the rights of freemen IN electing
Their own repreS to the territorial
Legislature. On the same dav he esta-
blished territorial constitution bv an
organic law. which provided or executive
legislative. and Judicial departments ofthe
government; defined the right Of suffrage.
and provided for trial by iurv. and at the
same time established a code of laws.
This constitution declared that 1.-the coun
try heretofore known as New Mexico shall
be known hereafter and designated as the
territory OF New Mexico. in the United
States OF America:" and the members of
the lower House of the Legislature were
apPortioned among the counties establish
Ell by the decree of the department of
New Mexico. of June II. 1874. which
counties. II is understood. include all the
territory over which Texas has lately at
tempted TO organize counties, and esta-
blSh her own jurisdiction.
On the % of December. 1916. copy
OF this constitution and cole was trans
mltted by President Polk to the House of
representatives. in pursuance Of call
on him by that body. In the message
transmitting the constitution. he saws. nat
portions of it purport to establish and
organize ornament territorial govern
ment over the territory. and to impart to
its Inhabitants political rights which. un-
der the constitution Of the United States.
can be enjoyed. permanently. only by
citizens Of the United States. These
have not been approved and recognized
by me. Such organized regul atoms a,
have been established in any Of the con-
quered territories for the security of our
conquest. for the preservation Of order,
for the protection Of the rights Of the in
habitan,s. and for depriving the enemy of
the advantages of these Territories while
the military possession of them by the
forces of the United States continue. ,riU
be recognised and approred.'
Near four years have now elapsed since
the quasi military government was es-
tabliShed by military authority. and re-
ceived. with the exceptions mentioned
the approval Of President Polk. In the
meantime. a treaty of peace has been
concluded with Mexico by which boun-
dary line ives established. that left this
Territory within the United States. there