What if we lived in "Lincoln State" and not "New Mexico"?

In our research pertaining to language attitudes in NM we are coming across some interesting information. This is an article I found on the New Mexico Genealogical Website. Here's just a segment...

"Many reasons have been suggested why it took New Mexico so long to become a state. Early efforts were hampered, in part, by a general ignorance about the territory and suspicions towards its people. Statehood was opposed by those who felt that New Mexico's predominantly Hispanic and Indian population was too foreign and too Catholic for admission to the American Union. There was even periodic debate as to whether a new name for the territory would help the cause of statehood. Names such as Navajo and Lincoln were suggested and seriously considered." BAHAHAHAHAH foreign?  Full article can be found here: http://www.nmgs.org/artcuar7.htm  Also I've heard it was proposed to combine New Mexico and Arizona into one big state because it was thought NM would have an easier time "assimilating" because of the greater Anglo influence in AZ. I'm about to run out the door and thus cannot find a good source for this right now but.... All of the above information was told to me by Professor Anna Nogar, who is a wealth of information on New Mexico.  Credit where credit is due.  MY OWN THOUGHTS: Wow, history more times than not, has a GREAT effect on our present day situation. Imagine that! Who would have thunk it?