The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1858-12-15

ed and rendered applicable 10 all Territories
which may hereafter seek admission into
the Union.
Whilst Congress possess the undoubted
power of admitting new State intoth Union,
however small may be The number Of its in
habitants, yet this power ought not, in my
opinion, TO be exercised before the popula-
ton shall amount to the ratio required by
the act for the admission of Kansas. Had
this been previously the rule, the country
would have escaped all the evils and misfor.
tunes TO which it has been exposed by the
Kansas question.
OF course, it would be unjust 10 give this
rule retrospective application, and exclude
State which, acting upon the past practice
of the government has already formed its
constitution, elected its Legislature and other
officers, and is now prepared to enter the
Union.
The rule ought 10 be adopted, whether we
consider its bearing on the people of the
Territories or upon the people OF the existing
States. Many of the serious dissensions
which have prevailed in Congress and
throughout the country would have avoided,
had this rule been established at an earlier
period of the government
Immediately upon the formation of new
Territory, people from different States and
from foreign countries rush into it, for the
laudable purpose of improving their condi-
tion. Their first duty to themselves is TO
open and cultivate farms, to construct roads,
TO establish schools, to erect places of relig-
ious worship, and TO devote their energies
generally TO reclaim the wilderness and TO
lay the foundations of a hourishing and
prosperous commonwealth. If, in this in
cipient condition, with population of a
few thousand, they should prematurely enter
the Union, they are oppressed by the burden
OF State taxation, and the means necessary
for the improvement of the Territory and the
advancement of their own interests, are thus
diverted to very different purposes.
The federal government has over been a
liberal parent 10 the Territories, and gen.
erous contributor TO the useful enterprises of
the.early settlers. 1t has paid the expenses
OF their governments and Legislative assem-
blies out of the common treasury, and thus
relieved them from a heavy charge. Under
these circumstances, nothing can be better
calculated to retard their material progress,
than 10 divert them from their useful EN- ploy-
ments,b by prematurey exciting angry political
contests among themselves for the benefit of
aspiring leaders. 1t is surely no hardship for
embryo governors, senators, and members of
Congress, 10 wait until the number Of inhabi-
tahts shall equal those OF single congress
sional district. They surely ought not TO be
permitted 10 rush into the Union, with pop.
ulation less than one-half of several of the
large counties in The interior of some of the
States. This was the condition of Kansas
when it made application to be admitted
under the Topeka constitution. Besides, it
requires some time 10 render the mass OF a
population collected in new Territory, at
all homogeneous, and TO unite them on any
thing like fixed policy. Establish the rule,
and all will look forward 10 it and govern
themselves accordingly.
But justice to the people of the several
States requires that this rule should be es-
tablished by Congress. Each State is entitl-
ed to TWO senators and at least one represen-
tative in Congress. Should the people OF the
States fail TO elect a Vice President, the DOW
ell devolves upon the Senate to select this
officer from the two highest candidates on
the list. In case of the death of the Presi-
dent the Vice President thus elected by the
Senate, becomes President of the United
States. On all questions of legislation, the
senators from the smallest States inthe Union
have an equal vote with those from the larg.
est. The same may be said in regard TO the
ratification OF treaties, and of Executive ap.
pointments. All this has worked admirably
in practice, whilst it conforms in principle
with the character of government institut.
ed by sovereign States presume no Amer
lean citizen would desire the slightest change
in the arrangement Still, it is not unjust
and unequal TO the existing States to invest
some 40 or 30 thousand people collected in a
Territory with the attributes of sovereignty
and place them on an equal footing with
Virginia and New York in the Senate of the
United States ?
For these reasons, earnestly recommend
the passage of general act, which shall
provide that upon the application of terri,
torial legislature, declaring their belief that
the Territory contains number of inhabi-
tants which, if in Sste, would entitle them
TO elect member OF Congress, it shall be
the duty of the President to cause census
OF the inhabitants 10 be taken, and if ionnd
sufficient, then by the terms of this act au-
thorze them to proceed Gin their own wayn
to frame State constitution preparatory to
admission into the Union. | also recon-
mend that an appropriation may be made, to
enable the President 10 take census of The
people Of Kansas.
The present condition of the Territory of
Utah, when conirasled with what il was one
year ago, is subject for congralulation. 1t
was then in state of open rebellion, and,
cost what it might; the character of the gov.
eminent required, that this rebellion should
be suppressed and the Mormons compelled
TO yield obedience to the constitution and
the laws. In order to accomplish this OBJ
iect, as informed you in my last annual
message, appointed a new governor in
stead OF Brigham Young, and other federal
officers TO take the place of those who con.
sulting their personal safety, had found it
necessary to withdraw from the Territory.
To protect these civil officers, and TO aid
them. as posse comitatus, in the execu-
ton of the laws in case of need, ordered
detachment of the army TO accompany
them 10 Utah. The necessity for adopting
these measures is now demonstrated.
On the 18th oil september, 1851, Govern.
or Young issued his proclamation, in the
style Of an independent sovereign, announ-
cling his purpose 10 resist by force of arms
the entry of the United Statee troops into
our own Territory of Utah. By this he re-
quired all the forces in the Territory, TO
'shold themselves in readiness TO march at
q moments notice TO repel any and all such
invasion," and established martial law from
its date throughout the Territory These
proved to be no idle threats FORTS Bridger
and Supply were vacated and burnt down
by the Mormons. to deprive our troops of a
shelter after their long and fatiguing march.
Orders were issued by Daniel II. Wells,
styling himself "Lieutenant General. Nau.
VOC Legion" to stampede the animals of
the United States troops on their march, 10
a.. al. =. A q