第 9 节
作者:大刀阔斧      更新:2021-02-20 16:03      字数:9322
  with the Pacific; has directed public attention to the
  organization of Arizona as a separate Territory; and the desired
  legislation has received the unanimous endorsement of the press
  of the whole country。 Petitions with thousands of signatures from
  leading citizens of the majority of the states of the Union; will
  be presented to Congress asking for the immediate organization of
  the new Territory as the best means to at once open a highway to
  the Pacific; and so important has this view of the question been
  deemed as to call from the President of the United States a
  recommendation in his message to Congress。 No opposition has been
  made to the most just prayer of the people of Arizona; and it is
  believed that none will be made; unless it comes from New Mexico。
  It must be born in mind that the Gadsden Purchase was not
  originally an integral part of New Mexico; that it was acquired
  years after the treaty of Gaudaloupe Hidalgo; and was only
  attached to the territory of New Mexico as a temporary expedient。
  It must also be remembered that the Gadsden Purchase; with the
  portion of New Mexico which it is proposed to include within the
  limits of the territory of Arizona; is separated from New Mexico
  proper by natural boundries; that it derives no benefit from the
  present connection; and that any opposition to the desired
  legislation arises from the Mexican population; which fears the
  influence of a large American emigration。 Moreover; that New
  Mexico contains upwards of 200;000 square miles; and that its
  organic act provides for its partition; showing clearly that
  Congress anticipated; at no remote day; the settlement of the
  country by an American population; and its erection into several
  territories and states。 The only effect of the present connection
  of Arizona with New Mexico is to crush out the voice and
  sentiment of the American people in the territory; and years of
  emigration; under present auspices; would not serve to
  counterbalance or equal the influence of the 60;000 Mexican
  residents of New Mexico。 New Mexico has never encouraged American
  population。 She is thoroughly Mexican in sentiment; and desires
  to remain so。
  As a matter of State policy; the organization of Arizona is of
  the first importance。 Situated between New Mexico and Sonora; it
  is possible now to make it a thoroughly American State; which
  will constantly exert its influence in both directions; to
  nationalize the other two。 New Mexico is at present thoroughly
  Mexican in its character and vote。 Sonora; if we acquire it at
  once; will be the same。 By separating Arizona from it; and
  encouraging an American emigration; it will become 〃the leaven
  which shall leaven the whole lump。〃 By allowing it to remain
  attached to New Mexico; or by attaching it to Sonora when
  acquired; the American influence will be swallowed up in the
  great preponderance of the Mexican vote。 The Apache Indian is
  preparing Sonora for the rule of a higher civilization than the
  Mexican。 In the past half century; the Mexican element has
  disappeared from what is now called Arizona; before the
  devastating career of the Apache。 It is every day retreating
  further South; leaving to us; when it is ripe for our possession;
  the territory without the population。
  The incentives to emigration to Arizona; in addition to the charm
  which the discovery of mineral wealth carries to every mind; are
  very great。 The writer; in an extended tour through the Southern
  States; found many people; mostly young men of moderate means;
  ready and anxious to emigrate。 The movement is still stronger in
  Southwestern States; and already many a train of wagons is on its
  way。 It will have no end for years; for so mild and healthy is
  the climate that emigration is practicable at all seasons。 Snow
  never lies on the soil; and frost is almost unknown。 The
  contracts already authorized by Congress involve the expenditure
  of six millions of dollars in the next six years; the troops in
  the Territory will cost as much more。 Here is enough money in
  hard sub…treasury coin; to draw a large population; independent
  of other considerations。 All ready in many places the
  enterprising merchant exposes his stock of goods only two months
  from San Francisco; but he does it with the prayer that the
  Apache may pass him by; and too often he sees his hard…earned
  profits disappear before the Indian's successful foray。
  The establishment of a firm government in Arizona will extend the
  protection of the United States over American citizens resident
  in the adjoining Mexican provinces。 This protection is most
  urgently demanded。 Englishmen in Sonora enjoy not only perfect
  immunity in the pursuit of business; but also encouragement。
  Americans are robbed openly by Mexican officials; insulted;
  thrown into prison; and sometimes put to death。 No redress is
  ever demanded or received。 This state of things has so long
  existed that the name of American has become a byword and a
  reproach in northern Mexico; and the people of that frontier
  believe that we have neither the power nor the inclination to
  protect our own citizens。 The influence of a Territorial
  government; with the tide of American emigration which will
  surely follow it; must entirely change the tone and temper of
  these Mexican States。
  The population of Arizona to…day; exceeds that of Washington
  Territory; and is far greater than was that of Minnesota; Kansas
  or Nebraska; at the time of their organization。 An election for a
  Delegate has been held; at which several hundred votes were
  polled; and the writer returned without opposition。 The unsettled
  and dangerous condition of the country prevented a convention
  being held; but letters have been received from all parts of the
  Territory; expressing a hearty concurrence in the election on the
  part of those unable to vote; and an earnest desire for the
  Territorial organization。
  A number of gentlemen at present in Washington; can testify from
  actual observation; to the truth of the statements here made in
  reference to Arizonaamong them I am permitted to name General
  Anderson; late U。 S。 Senator from Tennessee; who almost alone;
  with rare perseverance and courage; explored; in 1850; the whole
  length of the Territory; Major Heintzelman; U。 S。 A。; whose long
  station at Fort Yuma made him acquainted with the resources of
  the country; and who has shown at once his intelligence and
  foresight and his faith in the prospective wealth of the silver
  region; by large investments of capital; Col。 A。 B。 Gray; late U。
  S。 Surveyor of the Mexican Boundary line; I。 Smith McMicken;
  Esq。; whose residence for many years on the Mexican frontier has
  entitled his opinion to some weight; and A。 H。 Campbell; Esq。;
  Superintendent of Wagon Roads; whose information is full and
  reliable。 To these names it may not be improper to add that of
  the writer; who has for two years past; while residing at the
  junction of the Gila and Colorado Rivers; made the new Territory
  and its resources; an object of constant observation and study;
  and whose experience on the Pacific coast; and in the frontier
  Territories; and on the route across the continent; during the
  past five years; has enabled him to speak understandingly of the
  capabilities and necessities of a new country; and of a frontier
  people。
  In five years a great State may be built upon this remote
  frontier; and a population gathered; such as will; when we make
  further acquisition of territory; spread at once over it;
  diffusing national sentiment and extending the area of American
  principles。
  Aside from these considerations; justice and humanity;
  imperatively demand that Congress shall bear and at once answer
  the prayer of the people of Arizona for protection。 If these
  considerations fail; then they offer INTEREST; for the
  organization of the Territory is the guarantee of a supply of
  silver; which will create as great a revolution in the commercial
  world as has the gold of California。 Arizona will be known as the
  silver State; and the prediction of Humboldt; that the balance
  between gold and silver; destroyed by the California discoveries;
  would one day be restored; will be made good; from the resources
  of the Gadsden purchase。
  TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED:
  The undersigned; your humble petitioners; citizens of the United
  States; and residents of the Territory known as the Gadsden
  Purchase; respectfully represent:
  That since the annexation of their Territory to the United
  States; they have been totally unprotected from Indian
  depredations and civil crimes。
  That the protection of the Mexican Government has been with
  drawn; and that it has not been replaced by any visible
  protection from the United States。
  That the annexation of the Purchase to New Mexico; carried with
  it no protection for life or property。
  That the present force of United States troops; four companies of
  dragoons; reduced by desertion and death to about one half; is
  entirely inadequate to protect us against the depredations of the
  Apaches。
  That many of your petitioners have expended their time and means
  in opening and prospecting rich mines of Copper and Silver; and
  have been driven from them by