Maumee City express. [volume] (Maumee City, Ohio) 1838-184?, 1838-12-15

hold, that my views and opinions on this i'm
portant subject should be made known to the
peorle's representatives, in order that they
may take such stepsin the premises as VIII pest
secure the-peace and tranquility OF our ooraef
population, and the rights OF individuals III tue
adjoining states. =,
n I hold that the Constitution of the United
States IS to be obeyed by ail as the supreme
law of the land; and that 1t would be as un-
warrantable an act in an (" Executive officer"
to refuse to deliver up a person charged with
the crime of entlcing slave from the service
of his master, upon the presentation of proper
papers, under the demand of Governor OF a
sister state as it is TO deny the right of petition,
and the freedom of speech, and of the press, to
the humblest individual in the United States.
All are constitutional rights, guaranteed by the
same instrument, and of equal obligation. And
as am for sustaining that instrument as tits,
have not considered it my duty to set up my
opinions of abstract right, IN disregard oflts
solemn and positive injunctions. consider
the Constitution of the Uuited States as the
ark of our political safety, and Whenever we
shall reject it's commands, all is put at hazard
and uncertainty, and our whole population sub
iected to convulsions, anarchy, and civil war.
We are also equally bound by subsequent
clause in the same instrument to deliver up
those who are held to service or labor by the
laws of any state and who shall escape into
our territory upon, the claim of the party to
whom such service or labor may be due; and as
It's desirable that the peace and harmony that
have always existed between the people OF
Ohio and the people of our sister states of Vir-
gina and Kentucky, by which we are bounded,
and whose laws secure to them the service and
| labor above alluded to, should continue and be
perpetuuted it becomes high duty of the
people of this state to adhere to the demands
of the Constitution, and refrain from all inter-
reference with the domestic institutions of
our neighbor states. r...f... .a...lr.,.
| And when we reflect that this instrument
was the result of concession and compromise
by the fathers Of the republic to secure to their
descendants the blessings of liberty, union,
and repose, we cannot doubt the fidelity of the
people OF Ohio to all its obligations and de-
mands. ... ....... ... -..
Under the present aspect Of the times, our
Militia system should claim a share of your
consideration. ] understand that, within the
last year, more spirited feeling prevailed, and
that an improved organization has been effect
ed; but 1t requires reorganization of the sys-
tenn to render our militia what it should be, the
bulwark of our country. The present laws
are very defective in all branches of the service.
| We have no provision for an Ordnance De-
partment or arsenals, and the arms of the state,
as soon as received from the United States,
are under the control of the Quatermaster
General, whose responsibility ceases as soon
as they are delivered to the commandants of
divisions. After this, there is no accountable
ity until they are placed in the hands of cap
tains of companies; and even when this is done
there is no record, bond, or evidence of ac-
countubility known at head quarters. The cap
tains of companies receiving arlns,are frequent
ly promoted, resign, remove, or from other
causes, are not IN command. Their successors
gi,e no bond; and, in short time several chan
| ges of this kind take place IN the same cornpa-
| ny and when, at last, it is ascertaned that the
public arms are missing or damaged, it is I'M
possible to afix upon any one legal accoun-
liability.
These arms are furnished to the states at an
annual expense, to the United States, of $780,
600, and are intended, ultimately, to arm the
whole body of the militia of the Union; but
each state can direct the time and manner of
their distribution. A revision Of our military
code is recommended to your consideration.
In closing this communication, permit me to
say that, whatever may be the abstract theories
of politicians relative to subjects that now di-
vide the people Of this country, yet we are all
embarked in the same bottom, identified in the
same interest, and destined to the same port.
And although we of Ohio are strictly an agri-
cultural people, and less liable to be embar-
rassed by the fluctuations of trade than our
commercial and manufacturing sister states,
yet if we suppose that our'prosperity will con-
| tinue, unsupported and separated from these
great national interests, we labor under a most
palpa Bile and fatal delusion. There is no state
4 in the Union that has more deepiand abiding
ll'------ oIsIenU or commercial en-
terprise and manufacturing industry, than that
of Ohio. 1t is commercial enterprise that has
placed us in our present easy and enviable con-
orion, and has pushed the productions of our
soil into almost every portion of the civilized
world. Ilis manufacturing and mechanical
pursuits that have diverted the labor of our sis
ter states, and made them the purchasers and
consumers of the products of our soil instead
of rivals and opponents; and he that would
sever these great national interests, by array
ing one class of the community against anoth-
er, by scattering the seeds of dscord and jea-
4 lousy amongst the people, is neither peoples
| friend, nor the friend of the constitution and
union of these States. 4Ga9 s,f.oii. fI,..,-.
That our people may be prosperous and hap
py in their occupations and employments, and
our state continue to be the home of the hon
est, the virtuous, and the cnterprising, and the
asylum Of the unfortunate and the destitute, is
the sincere wish of befg egg dsliy. t..,.
| -si. ssB Your fellowrcitzen, ~ ,s.te
fs.s wis -ar JOSEPH VANCE. Z.
Columbus, December a 1888. a,ee brro.
-Iai G .--. : . y ! ais 16i iGe
s,.4e. GENERAL ASSEMBLY. ,Gf eet. u
Tho branches of tho or, el atura oroa n;1sd