The North-Carolina standard., 1837-10-25

\ :: to free the city, of Rome from an ex-
less of inhabitants; to quiet seditions, and to
.oward their veteran soldiers. This plan be-
e,u as early as the time Of Romulus and
. vas pursued by the kings who succeeded
him and when the kings were expelled, it
was adopted by the Senate and people, and
hr the dictators The lands which were
distributed were of different descriptions -
,Oeh as were taken from an enemy and not
,ctually treated by the government as public
otOperty; such as were regarded and occu-
MED by the Roman people as public proper
II; or public lands that had been artfully
and clandestineiy taken possession of by rich
and powerful individuals; or, lastly, lands
which had been bought with money from
tbe public treasury for the purpose of being
distributed. These laws were carried into
effect without any comnotion, except those
which operated to disturb the opulent and
UOwerful citizens in the possession of the
lands which they asWasstly occupied. A law
transferring these last to the people, was at
tempted by the tribunes almost every year,
but as constantly defeated by various artifi-
tss of the mobiles; and though finally passed,
was not executed without commotion The
Mly deviation we observe from rectitude in
the agrarian system of the Romans, (and
this can hardly be considered so, as the rich
obtained possession unjustly) was the revi-
val of the Licinian Law by Tiberius Grac-
chus, which prohibited any individual from
holding more than $50 acres ofland. Grac-
chus proposed to pay the owners the value
Of the land relinquished to the people; the
law, however, did not operate to any great
extent; and, after having cost the Gracchi
their lives, was rendered wholly imperative.
Many have been impressed with the be-
lief that the agrarian laws of the Romans,
were direct and violent infringement of
the right of private property. Machiavelli,
and Adam Smith have shared
10 this misconception of them. From even.
the imperfect sketch which we have given,
our readers will perceive that the agrarian
laws related to the distribution of public
lands only, and not those of private citizens.
1t is well known that much dissatisfaction
prevailed among the States, in consequence
of the unappropriated lands contiguous to,
and within the several States of the Ameri-
can Union. The ancient charters of several
of them extended from sea to sea, or indef-
nitely to the west. The lines consequently
crossed each other, and threw the same ter
ritory into the limits of different States.-
This was one source of dissension; and a.
mother was, that as the greater part of the
western region was wholly unsettled, and
the war of the revolution was carried on al
the common charge, it was deemed unjust
By those States whose western boundary
was ascertained, that they should have no
interest or share in the vacant lands. Mary
land refused to come into the confederacy
on this account, and delayed the ratification
Of the Articles till 17S1 and finally acceded
with reservation of her rights. New Yorh
led the way in putting at rest the serious con
roversies on this subject, by an act of ces
sion to the United States, passed March lst
1871. Virginia followed on March ], 1884
which was of the greatest importance, a:
her claim extended over vast region, (tht
territory northwest of the Ohio) which hat
been strengthened by the military efforts o
the colonial government of Virginia, to pro
tect the territory against the French in tn
former wars. Massachusetts ceded her CLAIM
on the 10Th of April 1885; and Connecticu
on the 18th Sept. 1876. Out of these sever
al sessions have been formed the States @
Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and tn
territory west of it. North Carolina made
cession of the tract of country now formin
the State of Tennessee, in 1799.-Sout
sion of Georgia, after some embarrassin
transactions, took place in 1902, which {
lone was wanting to the amicable adjus
ment Of this great controversy. On the trat
of Georgia the States Of Alabama and Mis-
issippi have been formed. The expendi
ures incident to the acquisition Of public land
the extinguishment of Indian titles, &c. al
estimated at nearly thirtyfour millions
dollars. .........r, .fgI, .,s...- anr,4.
One cannot but contemplate those golde
{ days of the republic with delight; whe
mutual concession, devotion to the Unio
and spirit of compromise and ,amity, q
peared to lay the foundations of lastil
! friendship. But how changed is the seen
We see powerful opposition seizing wi
avidity upon every subject calculated to di
tract our councils and disturb our harmon
Then every portion was, willing to make sa
ri6ces for the good Of all. :, Now, self fintere