The Grassroots Call for Statehood

The action taken by the statehood convention and the spirit which manifested throughout its proceedings have amply justified the action of those who were responsible for its initiation. Nothing of a trivial nature was said or done by its members. They sat in a calm and dispassionate manner to discuss the question which is agitating the people of the territory and adopted a dignified and convincing address to Congress. That the convention was a representative body need scarcely be asserted. Men from both political parties came from all parts of the territory, every important county but one having its delegates. That these delegates were, in the fullest degree, representative of the people of the territory is evident. The demand for admission, which they voiced, is the demand of the people of Washington. Never was such a convention more spontaneous in its nature. The call upon which it assembled was little more than an invitation from the people of Ellensburg. The movement was in every sense a popular one, the delegates from the various counties being selected by the people in meetings called on short notice and usually in the most informal manner. Under such circumstances, the size of the gathering and the character of the men who composed it are sure indications of the depth of the feeling in favor of admission among the people of Washington. They are thoroughly in earnest in demanding the rights to which they are so clearly entitled.