Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1835-01-06

s-41
of q providing more ehectually for the enroll
ment of all the citizens Of the State subject to
militia duty; and the exercise and instruction oil
the commissioned of6cersin camp and held ser
vice. plan which, it is yet believed, might be
carried out in such manner as to afford Us all
the advantages Of wellorganized and well DIS
ciplined Militia, without sacrifice OF any por-
ton of the time or convenience OF the clti-
Zens generally, or requiring more.of the COM
missiOned officers than they would most VIII
lingy yield Out Of the city of Baltimore, with
few exceptions, we may now be said to have no
organized militia. There is scarcely the SEM
blance OF organization in the greater portion OF
the State. Our militia is, or should be, our
chief reliance for protection against outrage
and violence, and unless they be kept in state
of at least partial organization, We must become
depeudent upon the Federal Government, to a
degree utterly incompatible with our character
or dignity. Those who hold the greatest stake
in the community, should be themselves, always,
not only willing, but prepared, to defend IL
Freenfen should ever rely upon themselves
alone for protection and defence; then there
would be no fear that the defenders OF the land
will become its opposers. We submit this sub
jrct 10 your consideration, again expressing
, the earnest hope that your present session VIII
not be permitted 10 pass without its receiving
that deliberate attention its Importance seems
to demand.
We also endeavored to press upon the con-
sideration of the Legislature. at is last session.
the great Importance oi providing more effrc-
tually for extend ny 10 the children of every CHI
zen the blessings oil Education; and we cannot
now forbear urging il upon you. Ii would seem
To us that the very first object OF solicitude for
go, ernment instituted for the good of the
whole people aud depending for its permanency
and ability to answer the ends OF It's institution,
upon the intelligence, virtue, and attachment oi
the great body of its constituents, Shout! be the
Improvement of their moral aud intellectual
cond ton; yetbutlittle, comparatively. has been
done for this object by the constituted authori
ties ofour State although in every o her respect
there has been constantly rxhb led il most COM
mendable liberality in endeavouring To provide
for the general Welfare. II cannot be that there
exists an apprehet sion that any reasonable ex-
penditnre, which the Legislature, in its wisdom,
might think proper to inchr, Tor so desirable IA
purpose, would not meet the appreciation OF our
fellow citizens generally; for there is not one
among them who would not derive from a judi
cious and we'll regulated system public instruc-
ton, directly or indirectly benefits more than
equivalent to any portion Of the expenditure,
which he might be required TO pay. Institutions
founded like ours, in wisdom and virtue, require
for their guardianship and preservation, knowl-
edge and intelligence. With these we shall al
ways be safe; without them dangers Immediately
threaten: but this knowledge and intelligence, TO
be effectual TO that end. must not be confined to
the few-it must be generally diffused. The
sovereign power-the right to judge and con-
troll resides equally in all: let all then be furnish
ed with the lights to guide that judgment, and
regulate the exercise Of that power.
The state Of our finances will be found to be
such as to require your early and serious atlen-
ton. A considerable amount Of the stocks
heretofore issued in payment of the State sub
.nr finn IN fha fTpra pf
provement, is now bearing interest, ana this
amount is progressively increasing, as the peri
DDS, to whichit was deferred by the laws direct
ing its issue, snccessivey expire. The demands
upon the Treasury willhe considerably increas-
ed from this cause during the coming season,
rendering 1t indispensabiy necessary, that You
should provide for correspondent increase OF
resources. "a, r,
The natiohal debt being extinguished, and the
national Treasury abundantly supplied with re-
venue by the existing tariff, which none seems
disposed to disturb, the future disposition Of the
public lands, or the revenue arising therelrom,
becomes question of deep cOncernment. espe
ciallv to the elder members Of the cunfederacy.
Various propositions having been made in rela
ton to this subject at different times and from
d. ffrrent sourc' S, some Of them evidently con-
ficting with the interests and ju-t rights o this
Site, it has appeared to us proper Ia present
the question tn your consideration for such &c
ton ON your part as, under all circumstances
shall seem meet and eXpedient. That this do
main is the comniDn property Of the Union, Con-
not, with proprieiy be- denied. A very large
portion OF it was acquired Ivy the blood AID
treasure Of the original states. and the residue
purchased by funds equally contributed by all.
:, hat s"mbIance of Justice then there can be
f und for bestowin. it. gratnItou:sly upon The
states, within whose borders It happens To lie il
j. difficult, If MOI imposSb tn perceive. Re,u-
cling the price. at winch these lands shall he
sold to a mere nominal sum, ~ at all below HE
rate now fixed appears Ia hr no less # not
more ] cticna lie; fr this would equally de-
prive us of our ri ghiuI claim t. participation
in their full value. The hbund ,nce aud cheap
ness of the public lands has long been a sereus
obstacle to the growth and pr.'speri y of most
Of the Atlantic states, and TO few if any more so
than to Maryland Wewould not be understood
as wishing in any manner to impede the fortunes
OF such of our fellow citizens, as may choose TO
emigrate, with the hope Of lettering their cond-
ton. Neither are We Hctuated by the least feel
ing Of unkindness towards our younger sisters
of the west; but it would be Unnatural and I'm.
just TO all the old states not to insist upon one
right to at least, fair proportion of