New States.

Holding a majority in both branches of the Fifty-first Congress, the Republicans will undoubtedly admit two or three Territories in the Northwest to the Union of States. We have heretofore expressed the opinion that such Territories as have a sufficient number inhabitants and are capable of supporting a large population engaged in diversified industries ought not to be deprived of the privileges and advantages pertaining to statehood. The case of Dakota is one that appeals with great force to all who desire that justice shall be done to a rich and rapidly-growing Territory, whose population has for some time been sufficient to warrant the erection of a State Government within its boundaries. A bill for the admission of the southern half of this Territory has twice been passed by the senate, the second time in April last by a strict party vote. In view of the probability that this Territory will eventually support a large population, we are inclined to think that it should be divided as required by the Senate bill, and that the southern half should be admitted first. The proposed State of South Dakota would have an area of 77,000 square miles, and would be almost exactly the size of the adjoining State of Nebraska. It has been said in the Senate that its population would be more than twice as great as that of any state heretofore admitted, at the time of admissions. The population of the entire Territory was estimated, in October last, by Gov. Church, to be 568,477 and a great majority of the inhabitants are in the southern half. The five States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan had in the aggregate a less number of inhabitants at the time of their admission. Unlike Nevada, the new State would not be a sterile region, supporting only such inhabitants as might find employment in mining industries and remaining almost stationary with respect to the number of its people. The growth of its industries and population has already been remarkable and would be subject after admission to conditions and influences like those which affect Nebraska.

The Senate bill provides that until the next apportionment the new State shall have two Representatives in the House. In accordance with the ratio fixed by the last apportionment, it would be entitled to at least two. The inhabitants of Dakota are active and intelligent persons who have emigrated from New-England the middle states, and the adjoining states of the Northwest. They are people who take a lively interest in politics. They are well fitted to bear the responsibilities of self government. It should be a source of satisfaction to the people of the States that in the Fifty-first Congress the admission of South Dakota will not be prevented by considerations of narrow party expediency.

It may be that the admission of North Dakota should be delayed for a time. Congress should first be convinced that the Territory will grow and become the home of a large population. It should be delayed for a time. Congress should first be convinced that the Territory will grow and become the home of a large population. It should guard against repeating the blunder made in the case of Nevada. But it is probable that sufficient ground for the admission of Washington Territory will be shown. This is a Territory that has great natural resources and advantages and that shows promise of speedy and substantial growth. In many respects it resembles the adjoining State of Oregon, but its coast facilities are of a much greater value. Its population was estimated last Summer to be 200,000. Its bays and harbors are among the finest of the Pacific coast, and its inhabitants are the stuff out of which good citizens are made. The population of Washington would entitle it to have only one Representative at present, but it is possible that the next apportionment would give it two.

The political advantages to be gained for the Republican Party by the admission of these Territories will not be overlooked, but a State Government should not be withheld from the people of a Territory for the sole reason that a clear majority of them support a certain party. About two-thirds of the voters in Dakota are Republican and they have probably been confirmed in their party allegiance by the policy of the Democratic Party with respect to their admissions to the Union. The Delegate in the Fiftieth Congress received 66,302 votes against 37, 789 for his Democratic opponent. The Delegate from Washington in the Fiftieth Congress is a Democrat, for whom there were cast 23,272 votes, while his Republican opponent received 21,080, nearly 3,000 having been given to a Prohibitionist. It is reported that the Republican candidate for Delegate in the Fifty-first congress has been elected by a majority of 5,000 The admission of the two territories of South Dakota and Washington, with two Representatives for the first and one for the second, would add seven votes to the Electoral College, and these votes would, in all probability, be cast for the candidates of the Republican Party. But the people of the first-mentioned Territory ought to be induced to throw aside the name South Dakota. They should not deliberately burden themselves with anything so clumsy.

source: New York Times
location:New York, New York