The old Abe eagle. (White Oaks, Lincoln County, N.M.) 189?-189?, 1893-05-18
A MATTER OF RIGHT.
New Mexico's Claim to a Place Among
the States.

committee to New Mexico and other ter
ritores to investigate their eligibility to
statehood, some facts and arguments in
favor of the admission of New Mexico
as state may be of general interest,
and certainly will be presented to the
committee for consideration.
Apart from the obligation which the
nation owes to each of its citizens to Sc
cure to him the right of self government,
except where special exigencies prevent
specific promises were made to the
people of New Mexico at the time of it's
acquisition, which have hitherto been
disregarded.
When Gen. Kearney made his peace
full entry into Santa IFe he issued for
NAL proclamation assuming the govern
ment of the entire territory, and contain
ing this statement: at is the wish and
intention Of the United States to provide
for New Mexico free government, sim.
liar to those in the United States with
the least possible delay" The people
were satisfied with the pacific sentiments
of the American commander, relied on
the promises of the proclamation and Of
fered no opposition to the occupation OF
the whole area of New Mexico.
Relying on these pledges and anxious
to possess all the rights of American cit
lzenship, the people early in 1850 held
convention, adopted a constitution,
elected state officers, legislature and
VIM S. Messervy as member of congress.
In July the legislature elected r. II,
Weightman and f. G. Cunningham as
senators, and they with the member Of
congress, proceeded to Washington.
While on the journey they were met
with the intelligence of the passage on
Sept. 9th OF the famous compromise
measure" which admitted California as
a state, and relegated New Mexico to the
condition of territory.
From that time to the present at
tempts to secure admission have con
stantly been made. The delegates have
introduced enabling acts and the people
have never rested contentedly under
their deprivation of the right of citizen.
ship.
In respect to population the claim oI
this territory is indisputable. No terri
tory, at the time of its admission, with
the exception of Dakota, had contained
the population now in New Mexico, so il
is evident that there is no reason for de
priving the people of New Mexico OF the
ordinary rights of citizens on the score
lack of sufficient population. On the
contrary, it has more population thar
Idaho and Wyoming combined consider
able more than Montana, nearly or quit,
four times as much as Nevada, and real
ly $1,000 moro than Delaware.
On the question Of the value OF taxa
BILE property sufficient to support a stat,
government there can be no excuse fo
delay. The assessed valuation Of prop
eriy is much larger than that Of man,
other territories at the time OF their nd
mission. The credit Of New Mexico il
excellent, Notwithstanding the preiudic,
against territorial securities in iiuaucia
cepters. On the subject Of the resourcer
Of the territory the assertion may b,
made that it is endowed with create
natural resources aud With greater vari
ETY. than any other state or territory il
the Union. No territory has ever erect
ed no many public buildings or possesse,
n 50 much public property as New Mexico
] Without the slightest aid from the GOV
h ernment il has built most beautiful
] capitol, a substantial penitentiary an
Il more recently an insane asylum, univel
4 sity, agricultural college aud school {
r mines
BY many, the people of New Mexic
It are looked upon as foreign and not
u harmony with American institution
e This objection will hardly hold good
land which absorbs half a million 10
% eiguers every year and aud which ma
ie nges to assimilate the very worst ell
ID mcnts Of continental Europe. New Me
leo was acquired in 1916 aud all Of ils /
a. habitnnte, except the oldest, were bo
on American soil, and its people belong,
toa sister republic with institution
~ similar 10 ours and 40 needed no educ
=" tiou in free government. In Now Mexi
. the foreign element in the population
" " smaller than anywhere in the count
p" except certain southern states.
In every respect in which she can co
trol her own deetiny New Mexico IL q
W vancing. Her population aud veal
j" are increasing aud railroads ure fcachu
~ every section. Through great sysiei
~ Of irrigation her productive acreage
"' being increased. Tho sole obstacle
- rapid advancement is the continued 4
iitofial condition.
=. When you want the very hest of n
~ ar ghuitp burp auurltuU unty,lefs f,. "a