, 1876-07-03

| out consulting them! Ia the warrant for 1t founG
in the declaration that all Governments derive
their just powers from the consent OF the gov
! crned:" II not, where is it founds Ought not Con-
gress to keep "a closely as it to our well-recog-
nized and established tdeas and methods in govern
Ing the Territories! II so, why should it not allow
the citizens Of the Territories the right Of clcctng
their own Executive and Judicial officers; the right
OF legisatng for themselves, subject to the ap-
! proyal Of Congress, il you please; and voice
ELECTION oi President and IN national affairs gen
orally, The laws Of the United States extend
ed over the Territories; they pay tcfr share Of the
q The United States are the States themselves.
Unless some valid reason can be given why the citi
zene Of the Territories should Be emasculated OF
1T Is an ontrage-to do it. And, if there is auch
reason, it has never occurred to me. I came Of
yotlng age twenty years ago; and, although have
citizen Of the United States, developed as much
love Of and pride IN my country, obeyed the
Hy laws, paid fn} taxes, carried my musket IN the
10 the cause OF good government, rs understand
my fortune to i've ali t6at time IN tie Territories,
have never had vote for President, for Gov
ernof or Judge, Or voting member OF Congress.
/ Was born in Massachusetts,. brought up In New
aoIik' and hare seen d good, many people from
those and other States since came to the Terri
torres. Yet never could wherein we essen
italy differed; wherein they were more fitted to
cAc[cee Inc common POLITICAL rights OF the CtLEcu3
OF the States than wis. Is it not absurd to claim
that !, oo0, 00G men in a State are competent to
are not?
Because the Territories are not States, and It is
necessary Tor the National Governmental organize
and govern them until they are atrong enough to
eple ] eesi e1ens dS e M
political rights whatever. Where Il Territory
grows quickly to the rank Of Statehood it doesn't
be OnlF Tor short nut hov t6f 1f
Territories now which, have been organized already
httcen or twenty years and which are likely 70 re-
main Territories twice Us Euch longer. With the
people Of these Territories 1t il matter OF life-
time. II the founders OF our Government could
have fofcseen such state Of things, no doubt they
manner. Bnt the nation las " now now !uos ap.
parently. grown, too great to be just,
and, not content with Systematically stealing
cal rights; it taunts then. with their dcsttntion.
plays the role Of the highwayman, who robs you
OF what you have, and knocks you down becanse |
ihe people Of te Territories Of all voice in elect
ing the President it rescnts their attempt to inu.
ence his nomination as fraud" 1t is too ab-
In point OF fact tho delegates of tho Territories
have just Us sound natural right in a National |
Convention as the delegates Of the States; just as
tho election OF President: Just US much Natural
right to voting representation IN Congress. just rs
much natural right to elect their own Governors
tHA VUA5Eb- 1uE supervision OF luEtF legislation
by Congress is perhaps nnavodabto and tlat il the
only ground upon which even that can be Justified
Nor are their politicians any less respectable than
those Of Illinois, as you charge. Why should they
bc2
OF course, in all this except such Territories as
Utah and New Mexico, where there exist special
reasons for national interference and tutelage
Nor do care much about the subject in general
Congress has lett life in the Territories quite i've
able so to speak, yet Tho Territorial system has
grown mp gradually, and whatever impcrfections
there may be in it are due to other causes than in
tcntion, OF even neglect, on tho part Of Con
.ress. It is ae good Us could have been expected
Still, the tendency ought to be toward Improve
nent. Tbs systcm ought to proceed upon Amer
can ideas, and By American methods, rs much as |
possible. And it ]. mol ycry cncoa raging in that
ziew to have snch ideas propouncd This of yonra
have been cndcayoring to show the ahsu.lity of
O. j. HoLl1sTER