Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1838-08-23
MORNING HERALD.
THURSDAY. AUGUST 81. 1885.


The North East BOnndarys
Its most extraordinary thing that men elected
bv the people to places of trust and power should so
far forget the duties which they owe TO that people,
ms 10 commit acts in open violation of their OATH the
laws of the General Government, and in defiance Of
every rule OF common sense. OF such nature, how
ever, is the conduct Of Mr.. Kent the Governor of
Maine, in his recent crazy undertaking to ran the
North East Boundary Line. he had much better
run a line round his own throat. We do not intend
to handy unnecessary words about this business and
shall therefore proceed straight 70 the mark.
Every American knows that there is certain piece
of territory dispute, to ownership between Anne
RIGA and Great Britain. The right 10 hold on TO this
piece Of ground, or to relnqush all claim 20 it, be-
longs the General Government and TO the General
Government only. The governRent Of the State of
Maine has neither lot part in the matter at pre-
sent 1t has not yet been settled defnitvely that the
ground in dispute belongs to the State Of Maine
The British at present in possession of it, and
have been SO ever since the close Of the war
The old proverb, however, that possession is nine
points Of the law, does not apply in any way, shape
or manner, in this ease. Our government consented
that the British should retain possession of this dis
puted territory I'LL il defnitvely disposed of by
treaty in amicable way. This rroviso, However,
was made, viz: that such possession of this ground
by the British should not add aught to the strength
of their claim upon this land, nor in the least degree
prejudice the future claim of the same by this govern
ment Now, therefore, is clear that the BRUSH can
not allow this unacknewedsed, and 10 them I'M
known third party, videlcet the Governor Of Maine,
to come in take possession, run the line, and turn
them out without any further treaty the subject.
Common sense at once tlls us that this is not the
proper course to be pursued under existing circum-
stances and common honesty tells that, except
under the orders of the General Government neither
the people any of the local authorities of Maine
have the least authority to interfere
The constitution Of the United States is very clear
upon this point; and if Governor Kent is not con-
versant with it, and his powers under it We think it
high time that he was. By our glorious and blessed
constitutions the matters in dispute between and a
foreign power are be left 10 the disposition Of the
general government-the power is exclusively dele
gated TO the general government even though the
question at issue affected only the most minute por
ton OF this country. This interference therefore, by
the people Of Maine is worse that the attempted null
lifcanon movements of South Carolina; and worse
than the infamous disposition Of the Indian lands by
the state of Georgia. The immortal Washington's
darling desire was to see the federal government no.
bly, and honorably sustained and his motto was
sunited we standardized we fall" The general GO
vernment therefore, must interpose the streng arm
ofits power in the present case preserve its auas
rity; for notification either north south, an
equally vicious and hydra.headed monster