The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1824-03-30
UaGetfF.
PORTLAND. WEDNESDAY,. MARCH "A. 1874.

ton. An editor 81 one 81 The New OFk papers,
the National Advocate, who seems 10 have some
collateral object IN defeating this claim, con
tends that there was no difference, IL any res
pect of this kind. between the government and
people 81 the state Of Massachusetts during that
period, 10 made the foundation Of any distinc-
ton between the one aud the other. And wri-
ter IN one oil The Boston papers, the Centinel,
maintains, that the militia Of Massachusetts, was
as much opposed 10 being put under a command,
which they apprehended would draw them a.
way from the defence Of the State, as Governor
Strong himself was.
There is a consf lerable ground Of truth for all
tts 3. st..sss1t So Aed 5s9e is ne d1ubt---n-
deed i never wss deuied, not only lhai tbs daty
was performed, but that the system OF defence
adopted on that occasion, uader the direction of
the government Of Massack lsetts, was executed
with an economy aud efficiency which could not
have been exceeded By the national administra-
ton. The services rendered on this requistion
OF necessity, are justly described BY the Presi-
dent as spontaneous, patriotic, and proper
necessary for selt-delenCe, % reprl in 50 ne in
stances actual invasion, and IN others Cd meet by
adequate preparation, invasioHs that were me-
uaced" The right to reimbursement for expen-
dilures indispensable 60 the service rendered I'M
av0idable by the emergency, rested on princi-
pies perfectly independent OF any petty disputes
concerning the details Of the mode which might
have been pursued upon that occasion and az
lOrded demand OF indemnity from the general
government, as strong as can ever be asserted a
gainst a constitutional sovereignty.
So just and equitable asths claim consider
ed, that immediately after the ratification OF the
treaty Of peace, on the 10th of February, 1915,
a bill was accordingly reported in the Senate of
the United States, by Mr.. Giles Of Virginia, an-
ithorisiag the settlement and payment Of it, aud
passed the Senate. On being sent To the House
OF Representatives, il had two readings, and was
referred in the usual course of business TO the
committee OF ways AMI means which consisted
Of Mcssrs. Eppes Of Virginia, Fisk Of New York
Archer Of Virginia, Oakley Of New York Gas
ton of North Carolina, Creighton Of Ohio, and
ingham Of PENNSYLVANIA. The committee re-
ported the bin without amendment to the
House, where it was committed in the usual
course TO a committee of the whole and an ear
~ day was assigned for the consideration OF IT,
But from the pressure of other important BUSH
ness pending before Congress then on the eve Of
adjournment as il expired on the Sd of March,
It shared the fate Of large mass Of other I'M
finished business accumulated at the close of the
war, and was unavoidably deferred from day to
day until the committee was obliged TO be dis
charged from the duty and the bill laid upon the
table By subsequent House Of Representa-
made by a committee in favour Of the claim ;
but no hnal decision was made by the house up
on its substantial principles.
Thus we have an support of the intrinsic mer-
ITS and principles OF justice upon which this
claim is established,
Fira-the report and resolution Of the Senate
Of the U. 81 in favour OF it in 1915, when it was
fresh, and the facts as well understood as they
ever have been since, OF ever can be.
SecoRa-the report OF committee of the Fl.
OF Representatives at subsequent session, after
a deliberate consideration Of its principles.
Third-the message OF the President of the u
nited States to Congress al the present session,
recommending il for allowance upon its absolute
aud original merits
Aud we observe moreover that Mr. Lloyd
has since taken up the subject of the message in
the Senate Of the United States.
Further, that other claims have been allowed,
standing exactly upon the same footing as ours,
for compensation for services rendered by state
militia during the last war especially that of
Virginia, founded principally upon services rem
dered entirely in pursuance OF the authority of
that state, and where the militia was never pla-
ced under command OF officers of the U. States.
The fund realized from the proceeds of this
claim, gives Virginia an interest, out of which
she aprropriaies annually the sum Of g45, 600
for the support OF common schools.
We have seen some fear expressed of the
further postponement of this claim and we
notice the remark in the Boston Daily Adver-
User, " that the chance OF favourable hearing
in Congress l. much more distant than ever,
upon which the editor OF the Boston Gazette
gravely remarks, " This is a very serious misfor-
tune 10 this State (Massachusetts) indeed" We
must make some allowance on this subject for
the present state Of the Massachusetts election !;
"A u. r.
meut produced by a natural jealousy that the
Message was rather calculated upon a political
scale, than the true principles ofpain sailing We
are not DESTROYS 10 interfere with any just policy
which tie federalists of Massachusetts, NAV think
proper to pursue at the present period. But we
deem ourselves in this State to be detached from
all conuexion with their course OF politics and
no longer consent to act as satellites to their
system. We must carry our light in our own
lantern, and gnide our course BY our own pole
Star. They have voluntarily emancipated US,
and must suffer uS TO take care Of our own con-
Germs. After the first Monday of April, it is to
be hoped, that we may be tremendously engaged
in pursuing the same common object. All the
great points Of the claim being now gained and
established IN support Of the claim upol its Just
principles and all the Fictitious impediments
with which II was snvironed, being now for rea-
sons superhaous TO scrutinize. removed BY those
who had the principal inauence in producing
them, we see no reason to doubt Of the complete
allowance al this claim BY Congress aud of its
final adjustment under direction Of the President
at no distant period Nothing now seems to be
wanting butere form, 70 give the finishing to this
demand. We agree with them never 70 absn-
don the ground Of is original and absolute JUS
tice and that on no other principles il either
be honcuratly allowed or received. We do not
doubt tito be theanAioas desire a our venerable
chief magistrate to signalize the last stage Of his
paterual administration by removing this STUN
bling block and rock OF offence out Of the way
of bis successor and 10 distinguish the period
of his retirement from Office BY putting an en-
tire end % this cause OF future danger 70 the
peace az the union CiiRrfa discBrdiis ciUiiibaAs
ftSz1Fsas cpHd cirss, moasxtlam eplfd s0ri0s-qlto
rtteris glgies tsstf
We regret that slight diversity Of senti-
ment should almost uusvoidably exist on this sub
jet At the present moment between Maine and