Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1856-04-09
NEW STATES KNOCKING FOR
.ADMLSSIONLN INTO THE UNION.

MISSION INTO THE UNION
The Legislature of Oregon which, clos
ed its session on the 3Oth of January,
passed bill providing for submitting to the
people Of the Territory, at special election
for the purpose next month, the question OF
asking admission into the Union. The pop
ulation Of the Territory, so far as we remem-
Der, is now somewhere between sixty and
seventy thousand, which by another session OF
Congress will, no doubt be amply sufficient
to constitute State. We can hardly doubt
that the decision of the people will be in the
affirmative. In the present state of the Ter
ritory with respect to the indians, it would
perhaps, be wiser than to wait two or three
years longer, as State Government at best
involves heavy expenses, and if the Indian
war should continue, the expenses would be
largely increased. This prospect, however,
will not probably prevent the vote for admis-
sion into the Union. Territories, like boys,
are ambitious. The latter are impatient to
be men, the former eager to assume the Dig
nifty of States.
The people of Utah were to vote on the
same question last month, at the recommend
alton of Brigham young, the Prophet-Gov-
ernor. The populatian of Utah is about the
same as that of Oregon, and we presume
that the vote ON the question of asking for
admission into the Union has been all but
unanimous in the affirmative, the Saints re-
garding the recommendation of the Prophet
as equivalent to a command from Heaven
Brig CHAM Young and other high dignitaries
of the Mormon church who share his coun-
sells have strong motives for wishing to obtain
admission into the Union as soon as possible.
1t would relieve them from all surveillance
of the General Government, and enable them
to establish the Mormon delusion upon per-
fectly Independent basis; for though the out
ward form of government would be repub-
lcan, it would of course be administered in
the Mormon spirit. The mass of the people
of Utah no more govern themselves than do
the serf's of Russia, and would be quite as
little self-governing if the Territory were
changed into State as they are now.
In recommending the measure to the Leg
islature, the Prophet took very high grounds.
his object was to place the people Of Utah,
" "beyond cavil, upon the platform of equal
rights, constitutional sovereignty and free
government, based upon the principles sacred
to every lover of American liberty as emf
mating from the people," The most sacred
principle of all in the prophets mind is of
course that upon which Polygamy rests
The discussion of this principle will bring up
the whole question of popular sovereignty y
in new and anomalous form, probably at
the next session of Congress. How shall it
be decided? Many persons perhaps will be
disposed to reply, "Ask Mr. Douglas" he
having set himself up as the great Doctor
upon the general subject of popular sover-
eighty" lie did, if our memory serves us
right give sort of non-committal opinion
upon the question some time since, but he
will be called upon more clearl to define bis
position. 1t is SO new and nice State ques-
tion that we do not feel ourselves compe-
tent to decide upon its strictly legal and con
stitutional merits. A great deal can be SAID
on both sides. But on moral grounds, there
are very deided reasons why the Mormons
should be excluded from the Union until they
snail nave purged themselves OF thls aDoml
nation. These reasons WILL we imagine, op
crate strongly against them when the ques
ton comes up in Congress.
A proposition was introduced into the late
legislature of Minnesota providing for the
calling of Convention to form State
Constitution, with the view of asking admis
sion into the Union some two years hence
but we believe it was not adopted.
Kansas comes last in the list, but he
claims excite more interest than those of al
the other territories above named. The peo
pie have formed a State Constitution elect
ed Representive to the House, and onl,
the other day two U. S. Senators were cho
sen at Topeka. They now ask admission int
the Union. This, with other questions re
lating to Kansas, must be decided by Con
gress, whose rig ghteous action we hope to re
cord before the close of the session.
Chicago Democratic Press.
A pilot on fat-boat on the Ohio recentl
saw most wonderful sight in the heavens
bo wos watchino eaoerv the comets tai