The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1882-06-07
THE MEMORIAL.

20 draft it, to the constitutional
convention on Tuesday, and which
was laio over until to-day, at the
suggestion of Gen. D. H. Wells, who
presented 1t, before it was adopted
MEMORIAL.
TO the Honorable the Senate and
! House Of Representatives. of the
| united States, in Congress assem-
| bled::
Gentteme1l-The citizens of the
United States in the Territory of
Utah, through their delegates in
convention. respectfully present this
memorial, asking for admission into
the Federal Union as free and
sovereign state, on the same footing
as the other states, under the name
and title of the State of Utah; and
herewith submit the constitution
which they have adopted.
| When the people who opened this
vast region to civilization, and rem
dered posi- bic its settlement by the
advanced races, first planted their
feet upon the virgin soil of these
valleys, it was part Of the domain of
the Republic Of Mexico. Five hun
dred of their stalwart men were in
the field aiding in the war with that
DO wer, and they occupied this part
of the country as loyal citizens of
the United States, unfurling It's flag
to the mountain breeze, and pro-
ceeding to organize a provisional
government, preparatory to becom-
ing a part of the Federal Union.
When, by the treaty Of Guadalupe
HidalgO, this portion Of Mexico was
coded to the United States, they
sought at once, by proper means to
secure the rights and privileges of
statehood. California, the settle
ment of which by citizens of the
United States was largely due to the
people of this territory, made appli-
cation at the same time as they for
admission into the Union, and was
successful. To Utah was granted a
territorial form of government.
For thirty-tWo years, the citizens of
this territory have been kept out of
the Union, and under the disad-
vantages of a system which, in
many respects, is foreign to the
principles of democratic republican
ism. They now, for the fourth time,
approach your honorable body,
with their respectful petition for
that republican form of govern
ment which Congress is required by
the Constitution to guarantee to
every state in the Union.
And they submit that Utah has
outgroWn the conditions, if they
ever existed, which justified the
establishment of that imperfect
political system bich has been so
long continued. Her population
numbers at least 10000 souls.
Her agricultural, stock-raising,
manufacturing, mineral and other
resources and industries are of such
magnitude that she is abundantly
able to bear the burdens and meet
the expenses involved in indepen-
dent statehood. Her cities, towns
and villages exhibit all the marks of
thrift, prosperity and order that
indicate capacities for self-govern-
ment. Unaided by any extraneous
assistance, schools for the education
of her children flourish in every
settlement within her borders
The local laws protect life and
property with more than common
safety, land extend all possible liberty
to persons of every party, creed
and race without distinction. Rail-
roads and telegraph lines connect
her people with each other and with
all parts Of this great nation, and
they are familiar with the common
interests and public questions which
blend the various States in political
unity. There is nothing to prevent
Utah from taking an active part in
the Federal compact but those bar
riers of prejudice which have been
built up chiefly through misrepre-
sentatiOn aided by unfamiliarity
with the facts.
We further submit that the exer-
else of absolute and unlimited power
over the great body of citizens in
habiting this Territory, which is
claimed by Congress as a right, is
anti-republican in theory, and most
oppressive in practice. We have no
voice in the election of the national
Legislators who, without understand
ing our condition, occasionally
make laws to govern US, or of those
authorities who appoint officials to
conduct our affairs. The governor
placed over us without our consent,
has the power to render void all the
acts of the legislators elected by the
people, by simply withholding his
signature thereto. This absolute
veto power is added to the supreme
authority of Congress to abolish or
make null all or any Of our local
laws. The essential principles of
American republicanism, as enum-
Grated in the Declaration of INDIE
pendence, are thus grossly violated,
and the people Of Utah are kept in
condition of VaSsalage alike
unworthy Of a free government,
irksome to those who are COM
PEELED to endure it, and subver-
sive Of the inalienable rights of
men.
We direct the attention of your
honorable body to the pledged word
of the nation, in the treaty before
mentioned, agreeing that the people
residing IN this region at the time
of its ratification should be "incor-
porated into the Union of the
United States, and be admitted at