Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-29

The Great Boon o. Statehooo.
1t is highly desirable in the national in
terest that the remnant of continental and
contiguous territory belonging to the
United States" should be converted into
states and admitted into the Union at
single stroke. The section of such terri
tory composed OF Oklahoma and Indian
Territory is to become one state. The
House proposes that the remnant composed
of contiguous Arizona and New Mexico shall
also be made into a single state. The SEN
ate by a very narrow margin dissents
1t is clear that the territorial remnant
composed of Arizona and New Mexico must
be disposed of all at once. for action in re-
spect 10 any part of 1t viii determine large
ly the fate of what remains. Either the
entire remnant is TO be admitted sim
gle state. or II less than the whole is thus
admitted it means that the remainder of
the section will ultimately also be made a
separate state, the alternative being its
ACKNOWLEDGMENT and addition to adjacent
states row or then existing II could not
continue indefinitely the sole occupant
OF the territorial transition stage of exist
ence. -,-----a---
The statehood question concerning the
whole of this section should be settled at
this time. Either there should be adoption
of the House view that the resources and
population of the whole Of it are necessary
as the foundations of sovereign state, in
which case immediate statehood may be
proffered; or else separate statehood for
Arizona and New Mexico should be practi-
cally agreed upon III which case the two
new states could be admitted at the same
or at different times. now or in the future,
according to the judgment of Congress.
1t is suggested that Joint statehood be
proffered TO the two territories. statehood
to fail as to both If either by popular
vote rejects It. 1t is urged that acceptance
or rejection should be by a separate vote
of these territories, instead of by the COM
bined vote of all the people within the Dor
ders of the proposed new state, the conten-
ton being that no territory should unjustly
be forced into statehood In associations
which are displeasing 10 it.
But greater Injustice may result from sep
srate voting. A small majority against joint
statehood in Arizona, FOR instance would
deprive all the people of New Mexico of the
rights and privileges of speedy statehood.
The men refusing this great boon would not
merely inture themselves, but thousands or
others who are eager for statehood. If it is
unjust that men III Arizona should be
forced" into statehood by New Mexican
votes. it is equally unjust that men in New
Mexico should be barred from statehood and
denied the privileges of state citizenship by
the votes Of a few men IN Arizona. The in
Justice to the New Mexican consists in deny
ing him citizenship in the Union. the most
precious political gift that the world knows.
The injustice to the Arizonan consists in
raising him from a comparatively degraded
political status and forcing" this boon
uaou him.
Territories Tor territory belor ging to the
United States) are technically in political
slavery, since their ultimate government lies
in body outside OF themselves in which
they are not represented. and in whose acts
they do not participate. A territorial dele
gate unrecognized by the Constitution and
voteless is not part of Congress, does not
constitute representation in Congress, and is
merely a petitionlng agent OF the territory,
with the privilege OF the floor of the ma
tlonal legislature. Admission to the Union
raises the people OF the new commonwealth
from the comparative serfdom of territorial
dependency to all the privileges honor and
power of citizenship in a sovereign state.
The American right Of territorial citizens
precious and nalienable-is to be exalted
from the dependent condition and endowed
with all the rights OF state citizenship.
NI4CNNNtt III Tue bHI4ltH OF Congress q SUI
ticient population OF the right sort to CON
stitute state has settled within
reasonable bounds upon rational territory.
The right to be admitted to the Union
does not extend to cover dictaton to Con-
gress OF the terms of such admission.
The question of separate or joint state
hood is in the end 20 be decided by Goa
gress in the national interest. considerate
OF but not governed by local cIamor in the
territories. There Is an element of alb
surdity in an aggrieyed cutlery by territorial
dependents against having the great boon
Of statehood forced upon them because
the associations and conditions of the git:
are not precisely In accordance with their
wilkins. One must not tPharisee-like) scorn
escape from political hades and admission
to political heaven merely because some
body else (even pubican) Is permitted 10
enter with him. AS well might the new
conner to the angelic host. before whom the
pearly gates are open, balk at the entrance
to bubble over the AZ of his halo. the tone
OF his harp. or the size and cut OF MS
wings