The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1867-08-07


was generally conceded that by any division of the
State under the act of annexation there would be-
least free State formed out OF the western terri
tory This apprehension, or this certainty, itself led
to the suppression ofany public discussion and from
the conviction that it in the interest of the
domestic institution to submit to the inconve-
niences of mammoth State territory than by any
subdivision surround the slave State States with
a Gordon of free territory. Under restraint now
from this apprehension we can discuss publicly this
question, as in caucus or convention it was formerly
DONE The starting point always was whether the
State should be divided into two or four States and
whether by lines of latitude longitude Or accord
ing to natural river boundaries. Inasmuch as all
the streams of Texas run, in general course from
| North to South, the question was and is narrowed
down to the ISSUE whether the division should be
North and South, Or eastward and westward. The ad
vocates of the former wont to urge, and will do
again, that the possession of portion of the
board important to each of the States, that
justice and equity required this division, in order to
secure harbor port of entry, to each of them.
On the other hand the advocates of division by lati
tude, eastward and westward contend that the pos
session of the seaboard would not superinduce the
ownershps of halbor for cach for that there was
but harbor if harbor it can be called, Oh the sea-
board, and that belonged to Gavcston that to di-
vide the State this way would require each State to
build railroad to the gulf and theconsequence would
be, in effect to make all ofhe States either really de-
pendent upon Galveston harbor and that the most in
ferlor the gulf; else northern and eastern Texas
must follow their natural outlet by the way of Red
river, and thus enrich New Orleans. There is in ad-
dtion to this OBJ lection, based the expense aud
distance of these long lines of railways running from
North to South an insuperable objection as always
appeared to u.s. to this mode of dividing; that would
cut the State in such way to throw the timber re-
9ion too much to ITSELF and the prairie region to it
self The great desideratum being to throw portions
OF each region together
Jnd IL chouI bo
membered that in 1850, Texas sold portion of her
territory to the United States and that since that time
the apprehension of free State the west has acted
as caycat to public discussion about a subdivision.
The act of annexation contemplated subdivision of
the then entire territory of Texas But by virtue of
this sale, much less territory is left, that subd
vision into four States is neither necessary practical
bic or equitable; is the manner of dividing linz
tied either to lines of latitude Or longitude
The present wants the popuation and the future
development Of their productive and commercial re-
sources require that the territory of Texas should be
divided into two States; and matter of equity, if
this to be fnality with equal moeties of terri
tory near that circumstances would permit
A moments inspection of the map would suggest to
any candid observer the line of the 3lst degree of
latitude the northern and southern boundary of the
two States, or the dividing line between them But
as both of these States would be Of such inconvenient
size, on account of the Rio Grande and Nueces PENN
sua, and the Pan Handle north of Red river, that
hnaty would result from the division. In order to
provide for further and perhaps necessary DIVISION
and to carry out far possible the spirit of the act
of annexation, the sd degree of latitude should be
selected in preference the southern boundary of
the first State to be created. There would then
be left to the south of it. sufficient amount of terri
tory to form two large and splendid States, with this
line as their northern boundary and the Brazos river
as the common dividing boundary between them.
The territory south of the 32d degree be divided
ftap rolo Of in
To give to this State what it ought to have for
the full development of its great resources its south
ern boundary should be extended eastward from Lo-
gansport Tor north few miles, and then eastward by
southern boundary of Caddo parish to the Red river
or better STILL to project it direct from Logansport
the 32d degree the river. With this cession from
Louisiana, and the cession of all that portion of La
ayette county in Arkansas, lying west of Red river,
(both of which belong naturally to the new State,)
and by the surrender Of the Pan Handle for consd
Grafton, to the United States, the boundary Of the
State south, would be the 32d degree of north ati-
udc, from the Red river to the eastern boundary line
of New Mexico The Red river would be its entire
eastern boundary and its northern Boundary also,
within short distance of the eastern line of New
Mexico if not entirely up to that line, on the lO3d
degree of west longitude. This line of longitude would
be its western and the common boundary between it
and New Mexico In shape, the Lew State would re-
semble Tennessee and Pennsylvania, and would ex-
ceed in size the latter, while it would resemble and
surpass in few years, the former in its productions
and its population.
But the financial objection is practical one and
deserves practical answer. The new State would
commence its existence with larger population and
more wealth than Texas had in 1S45. Nay more not
outstanding the losses from emancipation, we believe
it would begin with more wealth than it had at the be-
ginning of the war in 1861. What increase of both
population and wealth might not reasonably expect
from wiser economy and better administration as
applied to the finances the public improvements, and
the material developments of the new State.
TIE NEW sTATE-How FORMED roLITIcALLY-ITs CEs-
sIoSs AND ACQUISITIONS.
Having already indicated the necessity for divi-
sion, and shown"how, geographically, it be done,
with due regard to the material interests of the people,
it remains to consider how it be politically accom-
plshed. Keeping in mind the equity Of fulfilling the
provisions of the act Of annexation it is only by the
consent of the people themselves of the proposed State
that the State itself can be created. There has been
no time since the treaty made so propitious as
the present Tor deciding upon this consent. For,
under the reconstruction bills convention will be
called, probably this year, and as the constitution
adopted by this convention will be referred the peo
pie for ratification, the of the people in the
tics north of the SD parallel might be taken at the
election for members of the convention, upon sim
pie ballot question of for division" or 'against d.
vision upon each ticket voted If the wishes of any
considerable majority should be thus expressed in M
FOf or dFlSlOn, the convention could insert prOVl-
sion in the constitution upon the matter decreeing
that if upon the vote for the ratification, upon like
issue prescribed for division " against DIVISION"
it should appear that the wish of the people is in its
favor, the first legislature should be authorised to en-
force their wishes by appropriate legislation. This
constitution is to 60 before Congress for its approval
and if approved with this clause in it. the of
Congress would thereby be obtained. The State
would form part of the old until its boundaries could
be fxed and without change of district county Of
fccrs, u"tl, the legislature might PROVIDE the egis
lature of the State could take charge of its inter-
nal administration. This could probably be accom-
pshed within year after the restoration of the pres
ent State. The people of the new State territory
would be authorised to take this course, without re-
gard to and independent Of any cession by either Lou
isiaua Or Arkansas; but as the acqusons from these
States important to it, of river and rail
Improvements, an opportunity could be offered to
these States to make their cessions in time by sim
ply calling the Texas convention in advance Of theirs
and inviting these States make their cessons fla
division of the State be not accomplished in this way
and this time, it will be effected few years hence
under the operation of sectional and influences
infected with the corruption of the lobby, and in
way to damage the entente eoTuale of friendly par
tition SO necessary the railroad connections be-
tween the old and new State, If fer any cause, the
people of the territory of Louisiana and Arkanas,
the States in their sovereign capacity, should refuse
these cessons, the people in the proposed cessions