Show enc ENO orna OtrA AGING our general rule is to omit comments on lems in tho the columns by telegraph aware that each reader is able and generally prefers to make his own co comments ments thereon but the lo whereas ii in president johnsons Johnon ls proclamation declaring peace april 2 that the constitution of the united states provides for communities exly ONLY AS STATES stated AND NOT AS IS 01 Is BO 50 just jt aud and true that we reprint it as strongly evidencing the correct and statesmanlike views of the president in regard to the constitutional rights of american citizens we have always objected to the applying of the english I 1 sh colonial rule to our territories ri on the ground of its palpable injustice it being contrary to both the spirit and letter of the constitution and of course we are pleased to see that president bohnson so definitely asserts the only correct construction of th the constitution in reference to territories an additional reason why territories should be allowed to elect all their officers and of course enact all local laws subject only to fair constitutional limits in so doing to which no one objects is found in the remark of senator conness of california reprinted from telegraphic news published elsewhere in this number as follows the bill called his attention to the fact that territorial rit orial officers were selected from su politicians from the east for whom wham no use could be found at home bome that mr conness statement is in the main maln corie corpe correct ct all uta barg ix peri ence with federal officials so unconstitutionally appointed most amply testifies congress have plenty aplenty to do without in the least infringing upon rights guaranteed by the constitution and we feel assured that when they fully extend to territories the great principle our free institutions that all just power is derived from the consent of the governed and permit territories to elect their own officers and enact their i own laws suba subject only to th the rest restriction r cletion already mentioned they will not only be doing as they would be done by but will through so just a course havo have leisure understanding and power for a far better performance of their really legitimate duties we are clearly and decidedly of of this opinion |