Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1824-03-10
MASSACHUSETTS, CLAIM,

Sed ten1pora nautantltr Ell nos nlutanlur IN Ills.
During the electioneering campaign which
resulted in the elevation of our present Chief
Magistrate to the chair of State, it was con-
fidently asserted that, in the event of Mr..
Eustis's election, the Massachusetts Claim
would be speedily and satisfactorily adjusted.
We did not, at that time, precisely see how
the establishment of this claim could, in any
measure, depend upon the political creed of
the Governor of Massachusetts,. The Exc
cutive of this State in 1912, declared itself
possessed of right to command its own Mi.
litla IN its own way, without any reference
to the general Government. The Militia
was called out in aid OF that government. but
never placed under its control. Good SER
vice was rendered the country by these
troops, and our Executive felt that ii.stice
demanded compensation for that service.
But the general government said no-your
claim for reimbursement cannot be allowed.
You refused TO place your militia under the
command of the Major General of the United
States, and therefore the expense attending
their service must be discharged by the State.
The Governor Of Massachusetts and its high
est judicial tribunal denied that the Consti-
tuition conferred any power upon the Execu-
tive of the Union to officer the militia of
this State; the President, on the other hand.
asserted the existence of that power, and re-
fused any remuneration for the aid given by
the troops thus unconstitutionally called out.
Such was the issue, and being such, we could
not, as we said before, exactly conceive how
change of rulers in this State was to effect
this constitutional question. Either, we had
a right to remuneration, or we had not, and
how was our right to be effected by the event
of Gov. Eusts's election 1t was hidden
mystery. He was elected, and his official ca
reer was commenced by speech, which, while
it conferred immortality upon his name, went
far, as the sequel has evinced, to redeem the
pledge previously given by his party. In that
speech he declared the State to be redeemed
regenerated, disenthralled. the name of
the =" rising generation," and of all who had
contributed TO restore the unity of govern
ment," he disavowed those measures which
had cast reproach on the good name of
he State," and rendered her so long an alien
rom the American Family" Among the
measures thus disowned, the Withholding
rom the general government the constitutional
means of defence" was not the least reproach
able in the estimation Of Gov. Eustis, ssthe
patriots of our own country,& of every states
nan in Europe"
The principle, therefore, so long main
aimed by the Executive of Massachusetts,
"a relation to the militia was most formally
anounced, and this remuneration was e.
'loed back by 10th branches of the leg
lature. All this disownng, dissvowng
and renunciation then appeared to us the
lost puerile folly and nonsense. We had
'ot sufficient sagacity to perceive that this
lie and worthes trash was to weigh more
q the scales Of political justice than all the
arguments, grounded upon equity, service and
3fecedent, which have been urged in support
of the Massachusetts, claim. Yes! (iet the