The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1909-02-05
Now For Separate Statehood.


distance of separate Statehood, only t
have their hopes dashed by the Repub
lican leaders, who feared that the polit
ical complexion Of the new voting com
munities might be Democratic and tina
the strength of the minority party il
the Nation-and especially in the two
houses of Congress might be increased
accordingly. As compromise the
leaders offered the two territories join
Statehood. In sort of referendum
provided for in the joint Statehood bill
the people of the two territories rejected
the offer. They wished to be erected
into separate and Independent States or,
else, they chose to remain in the list OF
the Nations Territories.
1t was more or less of national
scandal-the spectacle of dominant
party's squelching arbitrarily the ear
nest and proper aspirations of the citi-
zens of two territories and that on strictly
partisan political grounds. The pro-
ceeding was rather widely condemned
by persons removed from the theater
and machinery of party politics. The
inhabitants of New Mexico and Arizona
themselves felt the situation keenly.
The two peoples were not altogether
congeniaI; they did not wish to be con-
solidated they did not wish to consti-
tute single State on such an extensive
territorial area; they did not care to see
their labors for the upbuilding of their
respective sections swallowed up by
vast, joint State, and they did not like
the idea of surrendering the traditions
that were connected with the individual
territories. The Republican leaders
themselves-at least, some of them in
recent months have changed their atti-
tude. They have become fairer Their
change of heart was reflected in the Re-
publican platform of last summer,
which included a plank declaring for
separate Statehood for New Mexico and
Arizona.
And so the two territories loom up
again as prospective States. The House
Committee on territories reports, with
the approval of both the majority and
members, bill providing for
separate Statehood for the two ambi-
tious territories and setting forth va
rious terms of admission. 1t is believed
in Washington that the bill will pass
the House of Representatives without
trouble. So far, SO good. 1t is in the |
Senate that the rough journey is ex-
pected The bills enactment would |
mean four new Senators of uncertain |
political faith. Suppose they should not
De devout, faithful and helpful adher-
snts of the G. 0. p? Suppose they
should not be, indeed! To the Senate
hat would be unspeakable. And so the
Senate will move slowly on the separate
matter. There are those who
ire daring to predict that the bill will
all of passage in the upper House.
Whether they are right will be shown
Don. The one thing that is evident
low is that the Senate will not welcome
he bill with open hearts and arms, the
republican platform to the contrary
Notwithstanding.
Statehood is not a garment to be
Chilly bestowed. Its significance is pro-
)und. 1t extends to fundamentals of
and of life. 1t gives votes
} persons who have not had them be-
IRE, 1t admits great communities to
lie prodigious American fellowship. 1t
ltends the Federal Constitution over
ew ground. 1t gives new forces a
oice in the Government of all the peo-
lie. And in applying for the great ben
it it is to be hoped that New Mexico
nd Arizona come with minds conscious
the bigger and higher life they seek
nd of the responsibilities it brings.
they are daily disciplined and
and are ready. That, at
asst, is the supposition Of their friends,
no in Kentucky are numbered in null
tudes. A great proportion of us look
,rdially toward the two territories
hose people have striven so long and
ard and patiently for Statehood and
ish them not only a quick voyage
trough the House, but a safe trip
trough the Senate and into the fam
y.-Louisville Courier-Journal.