Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1884-12-14

for legislation of distinctly political
character Ia past. there ought TO be
reason for hope that Congress VIII
deign 70 give some attention TO the
question OF securing TO the people OF
the Territories their indispatable
right 10 self-government- The Terri
tnrial condition Is an unnatural and
anomalous one. The invention OF
Territorial governments grew out OF
| the peculiar conditions established 10
this country by the existance OF q
body Of fertile public land that could
be fully occupied osly after an I'm
mense increase OF population. To
| tide over the period when this land
should be Ia process OF settlement,
still too sparsely inhabited 70 admit
OF the satisfactory introduction Of the
machinery Of popular government q
mere tentative and artificial system OF
government from Washington was
devised. Not only IL was not intended
that this system should be permanent.
but II was not intended by any just
man that Il should be continued q
moment beyond the time when there
was reasonable evidence that the
people OF q Territory were equal In
point of numbers, Of intelligence and
Of devotion 70 free institutions TO take
upon themselves the cares and duties
OF Statehood. Nor has there ever
been any direct test imposed TO prove
that this time had arrived. That Is
easy enough of determination, with
out any specific requirement in the
way OF population or wealth, and
then there remains but one duty
clear and imperative. Congress
should bestow upon the people the
privilege OF seif-rule, q privilege
which II has no moral right, and In
oil probability no legal right, to with
hold. The lessons of our history
with reference to this Territorial
question point all In one direction. In
dependent of the dangers OF form
OF government which Is essentially
that imposed by monarchies upon de-
pendent colonies, indepedent of the
abuses which a.e pretty sure 10 be
generated by making Territorial Of
fees asylumns of refuge for defeated
or disappointed politicians OF the
States, the mere existence OF unad-
mifted territory is a constant tempta-
ton 10 the misuse Of political power
II was 30 In the days OF slavery. when
the first battle ground was over the
question Of its extension 10 the Terri
tories OF the West and Southwest. Il
Is so today, when Q political party
seeks TO strengthen its power by de-
liberately debarring from their right
ful participation In national affairs
many hundreds OF thousands OF the
most intelligent, energetic and loyal
citizens OF the nation. Il Is time for
this monstrous denial OF the rights
intended To be secured TO all our peo-
pie to come 10 an end. And |, must
be accepted as safe general princi-
pie that every Territory should be
admitted to the privileges and re-
sponsibilities OF Statehood nt the ear
lest possible moment after IL has
demonstrated its title to enjoy the
same. OF course il Is Dakota which
points the most obvious moral of
these conclusions. A section OF
country containing some 450, 900 In
habitants, with 5000 miles Of rail-
road In operation. 1000 school
houses, so, 900 children OF school
age, and an assessed valuation
OF over $S4. 000, 900. has been kept
waiting in defiance OF every principle
OF justice and every idea OF what our
government Is supposed TO represent,
for the poor privilege OF regulating
its own affairs; because 10 grant il
would be 20 imperil political control
by the Democratic party Of one
House OF Congress. aud 10 add a
small number 70 the Republican cleo.
soral vote. Even after division, upon
which the people OF all sections of
the Territory are Row agreed, rs they
ought 10 be, South Dakota would
have q population Of between ESQ, 900
and 800, 900, with all the accessories
which the most exactlng could de
mand rs condition to admission.
We are able 10 appreciate the proper
lions 10 which this hoary abuse
OF keeping the people of the Terri.
tories dancing attendance upon the
political managers has grown, when
we fnd II Is still matter OF doubt
whether the Just clsims OF Dakota
will receive recognition at the hands
OF the present Congress or the Con-
gress-elect
In point Of fact, and the fact itself
ought TO do something toward com.
posing the situation politically, Il
would be for the highest welfare Of
all concerned, II al least four new
States were TO be Immediately incor.
porzied Ia the Union. Even adopt.
ing the test that q Territory should
have about sufficient pop, lation TO
entitls II 20 one Representative In
Congress on the pfcseat apposfion.
ment. which, by the way, l. not a
constitutional test 81 all. bat oniy an
invention Of those who think that II
Is their prerogaiive 10 prescribe the
conditions on which their fellow -cisl,
zens shall enjoy equal rights with
themselves, there arc four Territories
which either tniiill the condition now
or are sure 80 do 50 before the nee
eesszry pFellmina-ies 10 admission
could be alteaded 10. South Dakota
already dis the bill. North Dakota,
Montana and Washington are ali
much further advanced both In pop
ulaslon and Ia al the material evil
dendss Of progress than were half
dozen States that might be mension-
ed. when their claims werr recoxnix-
ed. IL would be proper and fitting
act 10 add these four 10 The thirty.
eight States thai now Arrugste them
selves = measure of exclusive power
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