The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1890-07-05
IDAHO AS A STATE.

At last we have attained to State
hood! We remember years ago al
observation of DR.. Ballard, then
governor of Idahog "Man feels him
self more of a man in state than
in a territory" There was some
truth in this. Territorial govern
ments are artificial, and in a degree
a species of serfdom-of depend
ence and subsection. They imply
inferiority; the rule Of superior
remote and uncomfortable. State
hood restores something wanting
not that it grants many additional
rights affecting life, liberty and
property, for the same constitu-
ton of the United States protected
these last week as we'll as this week
but it gives US something more OF
local, home rule, and the control
of our own affairs. 1t gives US the
power to represent ourselves; to
have q voice where before we were
dumb. It gives US representative
who will have the right to vote as
we'll as to speak. More than this, 1t
gives us two Senators, who, if they
have the inclination and ability,
have the power to reflect the inter-
ests of Idaho in that exclusive, per-
emptory body where its tones have
been unheard and its feelings ig-
nored. It seats Idaho beside the
imperial States of New York and
Pennsylvania. 1t will make it re-
spected by the President, and by
Congress; and in the business world
it obtains an honorable standing as
a State of the Union, and not as
mere dependency without absolute
power to assert or maintain.
1t is no light thing for a-tss4r4ri ito5y
to cast off its shetland drop the
word "5srstory" from its name.
There are duties to be performed as
we'll as pride satisfied. We turn
our backs upon the past, and throw
ing wide open the doors look upon
a future. Perhaps in a financial
view Statehood may not bring with
it all the blessings anticipated by
the sanguine. The experience. of
the two Dakotas ought to be warn
ing. Idaho has not now all the
population and wealth which many
ardent advocates of Statehood have
figured and pushed to the 'front.'
but it has wealth and resources
which time will develop, and which
can make Idaho powerful State
in the future. 1t will be we'll not
to make q mistake in the beginning.
The interests Of politicians are not
alone to be considered. This State
hood is breaking up Of old things
laying the foundations of a new
order. History commences with
Statehood-all before it are legends.
Whatever may be done within the
next six months will breed long
train Of consequences. The old mo-
notonous condition perishes with |
the Presidents signature to the bill, |
and We can already forsee conflict
of personal interests ready to sub
ordinate everything to supreme sell
tishness.
Let not those who have been
foremost in precipitating Statehood
imagine that division Of the spoils
among themselves is the only thing
left to be done. If there is any
thing valuable in Statehood to the
people Of the State it is something
more than clamorous grabbing for
the offices. III feeling and bad blood
are already manifesting among SEN
atorial aspirants and state candi-
dates, but thus far it appears to be
confined to only one party. If it
continues, it is more than possible
that Idaho may eventually prove
to be to the republican party what
Colorado was to the democracy.