Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-05-18

pened where the inequality was so great
When such an inequality is allowed,
Congress is supposed to have permitted
it on the ground of some high public
necessity, and under circumstances
which promised that il would rapidly dis
appear through the growth and develop
ment of newly admitted State. Thus,
in regard TO the several States in what
was formerly called the Northeast Ter
ritory, lying east of the Mississippi their
rapid advance in population rendered 1t
certain that States admitted with only
one or two Representatives IN Congress
would. in very short period, be entitled
10 n very great increase in representa-
ton. When California was admitted on
the grounds Of commercial and political
.exigencies, il was well foreseen that that
State was destined to rapidly become a
great. prosperous and important com
mercial community.
In the case of Colorado, | am not
aware that any national exigency, either
of n poltical or commercial nature, re-
ouires a departure from the law ofeqnal.
inv which has been so generally adhered
10 in our history. If the information
submitted in connection with the bill is
reliable, Colorado, instead of increasing,
has declined in population. AT an cleo
ton for members OF Territorial Legs
lature, held in 1861, 10, $50 votes were cast
At the election before mentioned, IN
1864. the number was 6, l92; while at
the regular election, held in 1865, which
is assumed for basis of Legislative ac-
ton at this time, the aggregate number
of votes was 5,905 ~ l.Isi.
Sincerely anxious for the prosperity
and welfare of every territory and Stale,
as well as for the prosperity and happi-
ness of the whole Union, ] regret the
apparent decline of population in Colo
RADIO, but it is manifest that Il Us owing
TO the emigration which is going on from
that territory into others within the Unl-
ted States. which are, in fact, or are be
lieyed by the citizens of Colorado to be,
richer in mineral wealth and agricultural
resources. II. however, Colorado has not
really declined in population, another
census or another election under author
ty of Congress would place the question
beyond doubt, and cause but little delay
in the ultimate reception of the territory
as a State, If desired by the people.
The tenor of these objections furnishes
the reply, which may be repeated to an
in favor Of the measure, de-
rived from the enabling act, which was
passed by Congress on the DIST day Of
March, 1864, although Congress then sup
posed that the condition of the Territory
was such as warranted its admission as
n State. The result Of two years show
that every reason which existed for the
institution Of territorial instead of a
State Government in Colorado, at its
FIRST organization, still continues In force
The Constitution of the Union at the
present moment is calculated to inspire
caution in regard to the admission OF
new States Eleven of the old States
have been for some time, and still re-
main. unrepresented in Congress. 1t IS
A common interest of all the States, as
we'll for those represented as for those
that the integrity and
harmony of the Union should be restored
rs completely as possible, so that all
hose who are expected to bear the bur
len of the Federal Government shall be
consulted concerning the admission OF
new States, and that in the meantime no
new State shall be prematurely and un-
admitted TO a participation
n the political power which the Federal
Government Yields, not for the benefit
If any individual, State or section, but
or the common safety, welfare and hap
,iness of the whole country.
ANDREW JOHNSON, President.
Washington. d. c., May 10, 1866