The Feliciana Democrat., 1858-11-13
WHEN SHOULD TERRITORIES BE ADMITTED
AS STATES?

There has never been any fixed or even general
rule on this subject. and Territories have been I'D.
,hi,ted as states without much regard to numbers
Indeed like some goodnatured parents who have
permitted their children to marry and set up for them
serves Deiorc either legal age actual maturity war
ranted such step. the Federal Government has nj.
most invariably permitted Its Territorial Off spring 10
assume the responsibilities of sovereignty whenever
they pleased to do So The reason for this il in mart
at least owing to that general tendency among our
people to cast OF extra double government OF anv
kind. and Congress. syfnpathiZng with this feeling
as well the people of the Territories Is generally
ready to admit them into the Union and almost a.
ways on their own terms. But it is evident unless
indeed, means are taken to enlighen the northern
mind on the subject that slavery" as in the Kan.
sas case, will vastly compicae this question of ad
mssion aud therefore 1t will be necessary to fix upon
some general rule that ell men North and South will
accept as standard or test authorizing the admis.
sion OF new States into the Federal Union. What
shall this rule be? This opens into the broad ques
ton Of the Territories their nature relations and de-
pendence on the States on which We have neither
room nor inclination at present to enter and will
con'lne ourselves to the simple consideration what
amount Of population in the Territories should au-
thorize their admission States?
II would to be the interest Of the Territories
TO protract their homage Or Territorial existence az
long as possible, and equally the interest of the States
10 hasten their admission as fast they can. IL the
Territories continue the Territorial regime they avoid
The expense OF State governme ment and obtain from
almost any amount Of money for government build.
ings, libraries. expense OF judicial proceedings etc.
and, to certain extent. for internal improvements
and If they can be coaXed driven into the Union
the States or the Federal government will of course
save itself from very considerable expenditure Of
the Federal treasure. Nevertheless it is q fact es.
pecially OF late years, that the Territories have been
rushed into the Union without much regard to their
Interests, sometimes almost the Territorial
government was organized and, in one instance al
least without having any (egaD Territorial govern
ment ut all.
The cause Of this hasy and improper course will
he found in the ambition Of individuals generally
broken down politicians from adjoining States, who
employ all their tact and cunning to get up State
Government. and themselves sent as its Representa-
tives to the Federal Congressl There is such wish
| to be independent to participate In the great
affairs OF the mighty nation, that these adroif
and cunning trcksters have little trouble in accom-
plishing their ends and the territory is often made
state years before either justice to itself or to the peo
pie OF the Union warrant such consummaton.
| But the question comes back, what rule or wha,
amount of popu ,ton shall authorize their admis
sion. Congress has fixed certain ratio of represer
tation and as soon as the people of Territory have
sufficient population to elect member of Congress
they are certainly entitled to admission. for though
| II seems unfair that New York, with its three mil
lions. should have sufficient population to member
Congress- they are or may be de aco well as de uc
independent States whenever they have such popula
tlon whether in the Union out Of it. There musl
be some period OF some condition when American
communities have actually reached maturity and
complete political independence and certainly whel
they have arrived at condition corresponding witt,
that of the original States they are fairly entitled to
he determined, but in view of the past troubles and
present complications of that badly regulated com.
munity, 1t would seem only just and proper to en-
force the only true rule, and compel them to stay
out until they have the legitimate population.