Year: 1866

Inequalities of this character have already
occurred, but it is believed that none have
happened where the inequality was so great.


When such inequality has been allowed,
Congress is supposed to have permitted it on
the ground of some high public necessity.
and under circumstances which promised
that it would rapidly disappear through the
growth and development of the newly adj
mitted States Thus, in regard to the sever
al States in what was formerly called the


Northwest Territory" lying east of the
Mississippi, their rapid advancement IN pop
ulation rendered it certain that States admit
ted with only one or two Representatives in
Congress would in very short period be en-
titled to great increase representation
So when California was admitted on the
ground of commercial and political exigen-
cies, it was well foreseen that that State was
destined rapidly to become great prosper
Gus mining and commercial community. In
the case of Colorado, am not aware that
any rational exigency, either of political or
commercial nature, requires departure from
the law of equality, which has been so gene
rally adhered to in our history.


If information submitted in connection
with this bill is reliable, Colorado, instead Of
increasing, has declined in population. At
an election for members of Territorial Leg
islature held in 1861, 10,580 votes were cast.
AT the election before mentioned, 1854, tine
number of votes cast was 6,192; while at
the irregular election held in 1865, which is
assumed as basis for legislative action at
this time, the aggregate of votes was 5,9O5.
Sincerely anxious for the welfare and pros
perity of every Territory and State, as well
as for the prosperity and welfare of the whole
Union, regret this apparent decline of pop
ulation in Colorado, but it is manifest that it
is due to emigration, which is going out
from that Territory into other regions with
in the United States, which either are in fact,
or are believed by the inhabitants of Colora-
do to be, richer in mineral wealth and agri-
cultural resources. If, however, Colorado
has not really declined in population, another
census or another election under the author
ity of Congress would place the question
beyond doubt, and cause but little delay in
the ultimate admission of the Territory as a
State, if desired by the people. The tenor
of these objections furnishes the reply which
may be expected to an argument in favor of
the measure, derived from the enabling act
"hiSh oo PdooSo py SVASeiCoo OH tuC 61ot VI
March, 1854. Although Congress then sup
posed that the condition of the Territory
was such as to warrant its admission as a
State, the result "f two years experience
shows that every reason which existed for
the institution of Territorial instead of
State Government in Colorado, at its first or
ganization. still continues in force


The condition of the Union at the present
moment is calculated to inspire caution in
regard to the admission of new States
Eleven of the old States have been for some
time, and still remain, unrepresented in Con-
gress. 1t is a common interest of all the
States, as we'll those represented as those un-
represented, that the integrity and harmony
of the Union should he restOredas complete
ly as possible, so that all those who are ex-
pected to bear the burthens of the Federal
Government shall be consulted concerning
the admission of new States, and that in the
meantime no new State shall be prematurely
and unnecessarily admitted to participa-
tion in the political powerwhich the Federal
Government wields-not for the benefit of
any individual State or section, but for the
common safety, welfare. and happiness of the
whole country. ANDREW JOHNSON.


WASHINGTON, D. c., May Is, 1866.