Albuquerque evening citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1905-1907, 1905-09-30
UTTERANCE
ON JOINT STATEHOOD

In considering and discussing the
statehood question it might be well
to look right into the merits and
duties of congress, as well as the
rights of the people comprised within
the areas of country or territory ask
ing admission to statehood.
Nearly all of New Mexico and Ari.
iona came to the United States un-
der the treaty OF Guadalupe Hidalgo,
which was ratified in 1S4S.
This treaty provided for the protec-
ton of the Mexican inhabitants of the
territory coded. It provided for the
protection of the free exercise of the
liberty and religion of these Mexican
citizens. II would be well for all
those who have so much to say about
the objections to M~eXicans, their
rights and their religion, and the
rights of congress on the subject of
admitting these territories to state
hood to read with care and study the
scope of article Q of this treaty, which
reads as follows:
"The Mexicans who in the territory
aforesaid shall not preserve the CHAR.
acter as citizens Of the Mexican re-
public, conformably with what Is stip-
ulated in the preceding article, shall
be incorporated into the union of the
United States, and be admitted at the
proper time Ito be judged of by the
congress Of the United States) to the
enjoyment of all the rights Of citizens
of the United States according to the
principles of the constitution: and in
the meantime shall he maintained and
protected in the free enjoyment of
their liberty and property, and secured
in the free exercise of their religion
without restriction"
It will he observed from the fore
going article OF the treaty by and
| through which this territory was coded
TO the United States that congress is
the sole judge OF when the same shall
or can be clothed with statehood. That
the rights, privileges, etc, of Mexican
citizens who should choose to become
citizens of the United States should
be protected in their liberty and prop
erty, and the free exercise Of their
religion, and that when admitted TO
statehood these citizens should be
clothed with all the rights of citizen
ship as provided by the constitution of
the Unuited States.
The trety of Guadalupe Hidalgo is
nv 'Nli law VI inc lduQ IT covers,
so much so as Is the constitution of
the United States. Every provision
of that treaty is as binding, and in fact
more so, than is the federal laws of
the land, because congress can change
the federal laws, but it requires the
sanction of both the governments of
the United States and Of the republic
OF Mexico to change this treaty, or a
single obligation thereof.
Hence this section above set forth Is
binding upon Arizona and New Mex.
leo. There is no escaping IT.
Congress alone is empowered, IL IS
made the duty Of cOugress-nOt Of the
people of these territOries-to deter
mine the proper time 10 admit the
same 10 statehood.
There We have IT,. This we must
accept. Congress must assume the
entire responsibility, but at all times
protecting the American-MeXican in
the free enjoyment of an their liberty,
property and religion. These are OBJ
legations which are as fixed as a part
of the territory coded As are the ever-
lasting mountains. We cannot avoid
them. To do so, would be a violation
of u solemn treaty obligations.
Remember this, while discussing
statehood and our Mexican citizenship.
Tucson star.