NORTH-WESTERN TERRITORY.

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they appointed     that the inhabitants of the district were too few and too poor to bear the expense of a State government   that their numbers were rapidly increasing     that in two years, at most, the district would have a population, which would entitle it, as a matter of right, to become a State, without conditions or restrictions, and that it was better to endure the inconveniences complained of, till the time should arrive, when the proposed change would be a matter of right, and the people better prepared to meet the expenses of the change.

These were the leading views of the contending parties of that day, and when the movements to which they led are calmly reviewed, by one who participated largely in them, it will not be difficult to account for all that transpired. Such a retrospect will show that there was an unreasonable warmth, and jealousy of motive, on both sides. The fact, however, can not be yielded, that the interests of all concerned, would have been greatly advanced, if the formation of a State government had been deferred. The pecuniary and other benefits of the Territorial government, during the short time of its proposed continuance, would have far overbalanced the inconveniences complained of; and the sacrifices submitted to, by assenting to the compact, would have been avoided. The contest, however, is over, and, of those who were engaged in it, there is but here and there a survivor to tell the tale! The actors in those agitating scenes, are almost all in their graves; and whatever of abuse, or reproach, may have been cast by either party, on the other, is now covered by the mantle of oblivion.