, 1862-12-20
Isa Division of the Territory Dasirahle2

Is d O1NlSlOu O1 Jle O6SI6Dl6g
The question of the division of the Territory is
in agitation above the mountains and will proba-
be a fruitful topic for the next six months Wheth
er when that period is passed the question will
for time settle back into obscurty or not will de-
pend upon the sincerity with which the question
is now brought forward. That local feeling has
much to do in creating this desire in CERTAIN quar-
ters, is sufficiently apparent to take away all
force and weight from the speciOus arguments
used. That these local questions will prove diff
cult of adjustment and somewhat disturbing to
unity of force there can be little doubt. That
there is any real soundness in the argument OF
difference of interests pursuits of the the peo-
pie in the upper country TO sensible man will for
a moment claim with any sincerity; for if an ar
gument of that kind were good for division of
the Territory it might have been applied with
greater force to nearly every State in the Union
California more especially. In connection with
the question of division up the question, sis
it more desirable to remanin territory or become
State ?" Certain office holders located in the
lower country are advocating DIVISION but the
reasons given are shallow and not sincere Peo-
pie in this region may advocate division for fear
the Capital may be Moved away from the Sound.
People in the upper country may advocate the
same thing for the sake of having a Capital in
the upper country, but the real facts of the case
would disclose what is not always too apparent,
that the large majority of the people don't care
much about the matter at all. Men who have
business of their own to attend to- who expect
and intend to live by their own labor and not by
the favor of Presidents and official patrons would
stop to count the cost and probabilities before
committing themselves to a division.
The location of the Capital, the Penitentiary
the University, or that of any other public insti-
tuition has been used by pious souls long enough
as objects OF barter and trade Let them, for the
people and Goyernments's sake, be located some
where, we care not where, honestly, on their own
merits, where the wants of the public can best be
subserved and let the question Of division stand
upon its own basis. If by remaining intact the
Territory can soon become a State, we say, in all
candor, a division is not desirable The number
of Federal officials sent into this Territory accord
ing to the the caprice Of every administration has
borne too great ratio to the entire population.
They assume too much Importance, and unfortun-
ately for the public welfere and the interests of
the nation, exercise pernicious influence. There
has seldom been an official sent into the Territory
who has not, first or J asst, used his post as a
stake with which to gamble for the delegate
ship.
Our judiciary even, a branch that ought to be
independent of political juggery has not always
afar, and some decisions have smelt of popular
clamor. Were the Territory divided on the only
natural line, the Cascade Mountains, the Sound
region must remain territory, to be cursed by a
quadrennia shower of Egyptian frogs, for QUAR-
ter of a century, or become what would be pref
cradle, a part of Oregon.
All these matters must be duly considered be-
fore the question of division can be finally de-
cded.-O Overland Press.
While we cannot but admit that the arguments
of the editor of the Press in opposition to the di-
vision are in the main, correct, as doubtles are
also the reasons alleged for the advocacy of a
division, we must demur from an impression
which would likely arise from this first assertion,
namely: that "the question of the division of the
Territory is in agitation above the mountains. -
The only agitation that has ever been made of
this subject has sprung from one source alone,
and we venture the assertion that there are not
fifty intelligent permanent settlers east of the
mountains who would to-day vote for the dvis-
ion of the Territory as proposed by the few who
have advoca ted it. We know that the people of
Wala Wala county are almost an unit against it,
and we have the assurance of intelligent men from
the upper counties that there are but few
there who advocate it. We have the
plans of the few political hucksters who are thus
prematurely agtating this scheme, and if We did
not know that the popular voice was so strongly
against their policy, would give them passing
notice.