The Montana post. [volume] (Virginia City, Montana Territory [i.e. Mont.]) 1864-1869, 1867-11-23
.sTHE STATE OF MONTANA. :.


The Democrat has another long leader
upon this, TO it, all engrossing subject.
1t charges the PosT with combating the
proposition. solely because the Terrific
ry is not Republican, and its admission
as State would add 10 the Democratic
representation in Congress- If we should
admit the implication, would il not be
fully as just and apparent to charge the
Democrat with advocating the measure
solely because it would add one more
Democratic State to the Union, and
open up an opportunity for the election
of host of Democratic officials in Mon
tana, whom the people would be taxed
to support, instead OF having the ex
penses of its government betrayed by
the General Governm mt If you come
to search after nlotiUes Mr. Democrat,
we assure you we can attribute yours to
a much more selfish ambition than ours
and besides this. il wonld involve the
bleeding of the peoples pockets to an ex-
tent of which evsn Democratic partizan-
ism would soon tire. We base our OBJ
jections upon the general proposition
that it is premature to urge the sdmis-
sion of Montana as a State. The DIM
0crdt sustains the Capital veto-so
do we. If, as Governor Smith argues,
it is premature TO, at this time, locate
the seat of government of the Territory
and the people are not prepared to take
action on the matter, how can you con-
sistently urge that the time has arrived
when the people of Montana are will
ling, and the Territory prepared, to as
sumo the responsibilities and definite
action of State2 If Congress proposes
to shear off from our eastern borders
four degrees of longitude, and extend
our domains degree to the westward,
will they forestall the intent by erecting
Montana into a State with its present
boundaries The Democrat urges in
one column the propriety of saddling
upon the people an excessive and bur
thensome tax for the payment of all the
present and largely increased number
of officials, and in another urges the leg
islature not to squander the peoples
money by voting trifing compensa-
ton to the three Judges of the Terrific
~, because, forsooth, Congress ought
to pay them without taxing the people
of the Territories" 1t would be difficult
to reconcile the inconsistencies of such
Dolitical economy We have stated
heretofore that there are many and good
reasons to be urged in favor of State or
Canization, and we would that Montana
was in a condition that we could consci-
entiously add our voice in urging its
admission. The question, which the
Democrat is intent upon forcing upon
us, resolves itself into this, primarily
Has Montana q sufficient population and
wealth to assume the responsibility and
expenses of State organization. If a
population of 10000, or at most $4,000,
people, and a total property valuation
six millions, is sufficient, then Montana
if prepared in that respect. If it is not,
we claim the argument in our favor.
The Democrat draws parallel between
government and social relations, and
argues upon the lively sense of duty be
gotten by the responsibility Of indepen
dence. We refer it to the fact that all
law experience and precedent establishes