Santa Fe daily New Mexican., 1890-08-07
A STATE GOVERNMENT.
A Stirring Appeal to the Intelligence
of the People in Behalf of
the Constitution.
A Call for AdvanCement-A Demand for
independence The Benefits of
Statehood Set Forth.

To the People of New Mexico
Forty-two years since, New Mexico be-
came q part of the United States by
treaty stipulations with Mexico; that
treaty guaranteed that those Of her people,
who did not retain the character of Mex
ican citizens should be incorporated into
the union of the United States, and be
admitted at the "proper time" to the
enjoyment of all the rights OF citizens Of
the United States, according TO the prin-
ciples OF the constitution.
1t is only in state that you can have
the enjoyment of all the rights OF citizens
according to the principles OF the consti-
tuition.
By that treaty, state government was
guaranteed to you. Mexico, in ceding
New Mexico, in her wisdom, looked to
the further protection and welfare of her
citizens, and knowing that state gov
ernment would give the greatest benefit
and security, stipulated for it on behalf Of
the relinquished population.
During all these years the people Of
New Mexico have patiently waited and
constantly petitioned congress to declare
that the "proper time" had arrived. In
September last, pursuant to an act of the
legislature, convention assembled at
Santa Fe and framed the constitution
which will be submitted to you for adop-
ton or rejection at the general election in
November.
Everything indicates that the 'proper
time" has arrived, and if you desire to
enjoy the rights guaranteed by the con-
stitution, and be free and Independent,
and not servile, you can do so by adopt
ing that constitution framed for that pur-
pose.
We ask you to abandon territorial
form of government, and assume that OF
state, because a territorial government
is contrary to the spirit and genius of
American institutions; is in violation OF
the letter and tenor of the Declaration of
Independence, and conflicts with every
right secured to you under the federal
constitution. The supreme court of the
United States in one of its decisions, re-
ferring to territory, said it was SAC
quired to become state and not to be
held as a colony and governed by con-
gress by absolute authority" X x
"Territorial governments are organized
as matters of necessity, because the peo-
pie are too few in number and scant in
resources to maintain state govern
ment." They "are contrary to
the spirit of our American institutions" ,"
and "are to be tolerated and continued
only so long as that necessity exists. !"
These are the expressions of the highest
court in our land. They are judicial
exposition OF the status of the territory.
They show you in what estimation a ter
rtorial government is held by people re-
siding beyond its limits.
Under the territorial government, you
have no right to select your governor, or
other ministerial officers, nor are you
consulted with reference to the same.
Judges who are to pass upon your dearest
and most sacred rights, in many instances
have only held the position for pay, with
out regard to the public welfare. The fre-
quent changes in the judiciary, and the
appointment of many judges unacquaint-
ed with your laws, and who are frequent
ly ignorant and corrupt, has rendered the
decisions of your courts uncertain, change
able and unworthy Of respect.
The territory of New Mexico has al
ways been made the dumping ground for
the political debris of the states. Both
political parties in the states, at the two
last general conventions of each, made
pledges that all territorial officers should
be selected from residents. For four
years after the first pledge was made, it
was broken and disregarded in nearly
every instance. The few who were ap-
pointed from residents were not Of your
choice or liking. Since the second pledge
has been made, it has been only little
better regarded.
A territorial government means weak
ness, instability, wrong, oppression and
outrage to the people. 1t means that you
are not complete citizens; are incapable
of sef-government, and not entitled to
enjoy the rights OF American free men !;
that the people OF territory must be re-
tarded and kept back in progress that
your laws may be amended and abrogated,
and others you do not wish, and which
are not for your interest, may be imposed