The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-09-11
VOL. W
NEW MEXICAN CORRESPONDENTS,
SANTA FR, Julv % 1871

ifon liner ~ slce Dhker, lion MIR. w eightmaD
MIR. J. Griener, the Buckeye author of a. N.
Wagon Boy Songs" but now Indian agent po
master Love, Rev. Mr.. Smith and lady. mission.
aries Of the Baptist Board, and Colonel Sumner.
command. Bishop EAmay comes by the South.
ern route, and is now at Albuquerque, or in that
neighborhood He signifies his intention Of
making rigid work Of reform among the Catho.
lie clergy and population here lie will fad
enough to do Of such work, If he is disposed 70
turn his hand to it. Never was there a more
corrupt aud abominsble set Of men set 10 "lord
it over Gods heritage than the Catholic clergy
OF this Territory. There would seem to be no
depth of Satan that they have not fathomed-
no sink Of abominable iniquity in which they
have not wallowed They snuff corruption as
"a wild ass snuffeth up the wind and drink
nquty as the OK drinketh in water.n la poll
tics, they have displayed the same INSCRIPTIONS
and unprincipled corruption that has marked
their course in religious matters, and, to use an
expression which an idividual once used when
told him certain person had joined the church,
" il will be o blessing to community if they can
only be made good hypOeriies" q
Major Weightmsn, am informed, does not
intend unpacking his goods as the election for
Delegate to Congress comes off in September, and
he expects confidently to be returned. AT pres
emit, it must be confessed that the Majors chance
is altogether hsttering. The candidate of the
Independents party was foisted upon them in
packed meeting, as | informed you in former
letter he never had the confidence of many, even
of his own party, and will not now be sustained
by them. Many who favored his claims in the
start have become dissatisfied, and fallen of from
him and others who then pledged themselvesto
his support feel bound to fulfil their pledge,
though they do il with reluctance being now sat
isfed that his election is out Of the question. In
this state Of things, several of the more infusn-
tial membersOf his party have waited upon him,
candidly stating their convictions, and respect
fully asking him to withdraw aud give ulAee 70
another man ; but this he obstinstely refuses to
do, !. would be q little avail to put another
man up wnne ne persists TO pc the candidate, as
it would require all the force they could muster
to bear down the strong combination Of official
; and priestly influence against which they would
have to contend. Unless, then, some change
should take place in the aspect of things you may
expect Major Weghtmsn again at Washington
the coming winter, as a minister once said with
. no preventing Providence nor high creeks
The courts have not been organized as yet, but
I suppose they will be soon There is an urgent
demand for it, The county courts were all sus-
pended by order Of the Governor Il suppose he
acted under official instructions) some months
lo,n md I'D. a
that further action Of theirs would be illegal and
invalid. The consequence of this order has been
J. very disastrous. In some of the counties, espe-
cislly in this and Bernalillo, the jais were full
' Of prisoners, and the counties without cent in
k their treasures to sustain them. Many of these
: unfortunate prisoners are doubtless thus confined
for trivial offences, and many perhaps, could they
b have had trial, would have been discharged
Thus justice has been thwarted, and the coun
e ties involved in debts which they not able to
a | sustain.
n The present Administration of our Territory
is anything but popular one. The form of Gov
!, eminent which Congress has inflicted upon US
v makes the Governor dictai r, and our present
d incumbent is no ways indisposed to use his pow
~ er whenever it will advance the interests Of his
"a party. One Of the most dangerous elements o.
l. power rests in his hands that was ever put into
Ia the hands of man-and that power is placed shere
. nv AS >rsAasa A. ,rS
ie Unconditional veto power. BY the terms of the
law, no act Of the Legislature can become law
10 though passed by unanimous vote of both
Is Houses without it receives the signature Of the
l. Governor. This places the whole Legislative
a.
r ment should be independent of the Executive
Y, entirely and absolutely under the control Of the
latter. The conseq Of such an AxrAnge-
ment cannot but be disastrous. A this
enormous element of power the facl 1nOSt
q all the appointing power for the ~ is
3 vested in the hands of the Executive, S1 as sl
70 the Indian agents are subject to his instruction
y partment through him, and then tell me if am
l. mistaken in saying that our Executive is clothed
l. with the powers Of Dictator
% IL ever there was reckless and interruptions
70 violation Of plighted faith and promise to any
conquered people, it has been manifested in the
course Of policy pursued by our Government
y, toward this people II ever conquered people
have saffered. shameful outrage in their feelings
: and their rights, the New Mexicans have been
e that people. A short review of that policy may
g serve to enlighten the minds of some of your
o readers or at least to refresh their memories 1t
may be well to state, as preliminary remark,
=. that the inhabitants Of New Mexico are deeply
u anti-slavery in their feelings. SO much indeed
o do they abhor that system, that it is question
in the minds Of many, even of the A mericans here
, whether serious attempt TO introduce that sys-
tenn would pot be attended with a revolution.
This sentiment WAS known to the commander Of
our forces when he made his entrance into the
Il Territory, and it was no doubt in view of this
: and to lulu all apprehension on the part Of this
. people, that General kearny, on the 18th Au-
gust, ls46, made proclamation to the people
issued from this city, in which he declared RS fol-
' lows; 1t is the wish and iatadion Of the United
{ States to provide for New Mexico free GODyB-
neni, with the least possible delay, similar to those
in the United States,n &c
III 1t should be said that this was only the proc
lamation Of q military commander, for which the
Government was not responsible, and by which u
was not bound reply, that, unfortunately for the
, honor Of our Government, las things have since
terminatedJ the proclamation Of X earny was rat
flied by the Government at Washington. In the
instructions given TO Kearny from Washington
dated Sd June, 1916, the Government says
F.: Should you conquer and take possession OF
New Mexico and California, you may assure the
people Of those provinces that 1t is the wish and
design Of the United States TO provide for them a
free Government with the least possible delay, sam
; iiar 10 that whieh erists IA oar 1errRorieS.2
Now, ii is we'll known fact that all the organ
lied Territories then existing In our Government
had free form Of government Oregon was pro
vded with Territorial form Of government 10
December, lS47, ereindlag slaoery by lam. Inc
/ "A ~, Ns0