Arizona republican., 1906-09-03

of New Mexico to work out the pOssi- 'bilities of your territory as your people shall determine without the approval i or criticism of Arizona. The people of this territory claim the same right. The injustice of MT Beveridge's pet measure would have deprived both ter ritOries of this right and would have l been an everlasting shame on the na tion and on a congress attempting to 1 saddle such a proposition on us.
 Tt is not in the spirit of an over 1 self-esteem that ArizOnians believe the points of difference in the people and 1 interests of New Mexico and Arizona many: that the common ground so far as joint statehood is concerned, slight. We are a unit in the belief that the efforts are aspirations of true Ari- zonians, past and present, for state hood with the integrity of it's present boundaries unimpaired a statehood commensurate with the greatness this territory is emerging intO shall not be abOrted and lost by lending effect to the present measure, and party lines throughout Arizona have been and are now fast giving way that the situation presented at this time may be effect iveqly and overwhelmingly met to the lasting credit of a people who regard their territorial integrity as Ohio re- gards hers.
 "On every hand this sentiment is voiced No Paul Revere could call the people of our towns and country to a livelier interest or alertness. In this banner county of Cochise. an endorse ment of jointure is likened to the hiss of a copperhead-this without animOs- ity toward New Mexico, but a treason at home.
 ITO those who think they see their personal interests ascend with joint statehood. theirs is a lost cause. The supporters of the measure are already routed in the fight, and this because of the manifest unfairness throughout the whole proposition, and your peo- ple with ours, are lovers of fair play.
 That the development of both ter ritoIies would be materially retarded and especially ours. by consolidation in statehood, is a unanimous expression on the part of the many who have left New Mexico to find homes and occu- patton in the flOurishing centers of act ivity here in Arizona.
 "Without particularizing. it is appar- ent to those who have gained close acquaintance with the true conditions prevailing in both territories. those who have sifted the matter down to cold facts, that no one imbued with a sense of justice toward each territory. no one actiated by motives free from personal ambition or aggrandizement can con clude that statehood should come to the two territories other than separate for each.
 Tt is now too late if the time ever was. when Arizona can be bulldozed by a merger proposition. For her part this territory will remain with grati- tude in virgin spinsterhood for all time rather than to blissfulIy and yieldinSly pull over the coverlets of joint state hood with New Mexico as her Iegiti- mate bed fellow.
 T trust my dear sir. that you will appreciate and understand the spirit in which I write. I have merely tried to reflect accurately the sentiments on the subject under consideration enter tained throughout Arizona. and with out acrimony on my part. l trust that in placing this matter SO fully and frankly before you I have not exceeded the latitude accorded to every citizen in the expression of an honest opinion or of voicing in sincerity the opinions held by others here.
 Our position is not taken out of resentment toward or in disparage- ment of the people or interests of your great territory. but with patriotism and loyalty to the people of Arizona and the ideals long cherished by them. |
 Have the kindness to convey my expression of regard and high esteem for Major Llewellyn to that gallant officer. and believe me, sir.
 "Very respectfully yours, etc.