Graham guardian., 1906-09-21
Democratic Platform

chalfman OF tue PLATFORM COM
mittee, read the platform as fol.
lows:
Actuated by the plainest dictates
Of self interest and, as we believe
by the loftiest motives of patriot
ism as well, we declare again our
intense opposition to the union of
Arizona with New Mexico into
one state. We further proclaim
our unswerving purpose to main
tain the independence, the interg-
rity and autonomy of Arizona by
resisting in every legitimate way
known to free men the effort now
being made by designing persons
to join this territory in an unjust,
unequal and ruinous union with
the overwhelming population of
New Mexico, and to this purpose
We pledge the vote of our party in
the coming election. And to Sc
cure the defeat of this unholy alIi-
ance, we call with confidence on
every citizen of Arizona Of what.
ever political party to unite with
us in preserving inviolate the laws,
customs and institutions of our
commonwealth from the exploita
tion of New Mexico.
Under bardships and disadvant.
ages unknown to other state build
ers the people of Arizona have
reared great commonwealth of
which they are fond and of which
they are justly proud. To them
alone is the honor and glory of
this achievement. They have by
exercise OF high civic virtues put
into easy and successful opera
ton every energy of a great and
prosperous state; and they look
with natural horror on any pro.
posal TO violate toe promise made
by congress to Arizona in our or
ganic act; by uniting them again
to New Mexico from which they
were, for potent and proper rea-
sous, separated more than forty
years ago, by the influence and
advice of Abraham Lincoln.
We are now, by every rule here.
tofore invoked, entitled to separate
statehood, and we reaffirm our
determination to remain vet a ter
rltory rather than enter INTO a
union odious to our state pride
and dangerous to the peace and
happiness of both territories.
Patriotism demands opposition
to joint statehood, and on the
broad ground of devotion to our
commonwealth all political parties
can meet and with one accord, save
the state.
We are unalterably opposed to
Joint statehood between Arizona
and New Mexico, and would pre-.
fer to remain territory forever
than TO accept statehood under
such conditions.
/ We declare for an honest and
equal taxation of all property just
| ly subject to the same, including
mines and corporations, without
discrimination in favor of anyone
whomsoever, so that the wealth of
the country may bear its full pro-
portion of the burdens of govern
ment.
The republican national admin
istration, IN its pernicious efforts
to force Arizona into union with
New Mexico, against practically
the unanimous protests of her peo-
pie, perpetrated the greatest politi.
cal crime in the history of our
government, and we congratulate
the people of this territory that
through the efforts of our distin-
guished delegate to congress, Hon.
Marcus A. Smith, backed by the
patriotic citizens of the territory,
this calamity was averted.
We rejoice in the splendid sue
cess of the unbeaten and unbeat-
able democrat, the Hon. Marcus A.
Smith, whose brilliant service in
the congress OF the United States,
is the possession and pride of the
whole territory. In spite of
treachery and unheard of difficult
ties, Arizona, under his leadership,
still retains her integrity and
autonomy. We appeal to all citi-
zens of the territory, irrespective
of party TO lay aside partisan pre-
ljudice and JOIN with us on the
broad platform of patriotism, and
love of Arizona, and return him to
the position he has so signally
| hnuorad