The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-05-19

admitted with only one or two representa-
tives in Congress would in very short pc
riod be entitled to a great increase Of rep
resentation. So, when California was adj
mitted on the ground of commercial and
political exigencies, it was well foreseen
that that State was destined rapidly to be-
come great prosperous mining and COM
mercial community. Tin the case OF Colo
RADIO, am not awarS that any rational
exigency, either of q political or commercial
nature. requires departure from the law
of equality, which has been so generally
adhered to in our history. TX information
submitted in connection with this bill Is
reliable, Colorado, instead of increasing,
has declined in population. At an election
for members of q Territorial Legislature,
held in 1861, 10, $50 votes were cast. At the
election before mentioned, In 1864, the
number of votes cast was 6,l92; while at
the irregular election held in 1865, which is
assumed as a basis for legislative action at
this time, the aggregate of votes was 5,9O5.
Sincerely anxious for the prosperity and
welfare of every Territory and State, as
well as for the prosperity and welfare OF
the whole Union, l regret this apparent
decline Of population i'll Colorado; but it is
manifest that it is due to emigration, which
is goin" out from that Territory into other
regi, within the United States, which
either are in fact, or are believed by the
Inhabitants of Colorado to be, rlcherln III NIL
neral wealth and agricultural resources.
If. however, Colorado has not really de-
clined in population, another census or an
other election under the authority OF Con-
gress wonld place the question beyond
doubt, and cause but little delay in the ul-
| innate admission of the Territory as a
State if desired by the people. The tenor
of these objections furnishes the reply
which may be expected to an argument IN
favor Of the measure, derived from the en-
| abling act which was passed by Congress
on the 21st day of March, 1864. Although
| Congress then supposed that the condition
! OF the Territory was such as to warrant its
| admission as State, the result of two
! years experience, shows that every reason
which existed for the institution of 4 Ter
ritorial instead Of n State Government in
| Colorado at its first organization still con-
tinues in force.
The condition of the Union at the pre-
sent moment is calculated to inspire eau
ton in regard to the admission of new
| States. Eleven Of the old States have been
for some time, and still remain, unrepre-
sented in Congress. 1t is common inter
est OF all the States, as well those repre-
sented as those unreprescntcd, that the
integrity and harmony of the Union should
be restored as completely as possible, sc
that all those who are expected to bear the
burthens Of the Federal Government shal
be consulted concerning the admission o
new States, ami that in the meantime ne
new State shall be prematurely and unne
cessarily admitted to a participation in tn,
political power which the Federal Govern
ment wiclds-not for the benefit of any in
dividual State or section, but for the com
mon safety, welfare and happiness of thu
whole country. ANDREW JOHNSON.
WAsHlNGToS ID. c.. May Is, 1866.