Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1839-01-16

"a the unsuccessful demand made ythe Executive
thereof upon the Executive of Maine for the SUR
render Of certain fugitves from justice.
The proceedings Of The Georgia Legislature have
TO the authority Of the Governor 9th State
80 demand cf another State, fugityes from its jus
tice and the necessity OF authority
in Tie instances Of crimes against property commit
ted by secretly and elonousiy carrying away slaves
Nonutbotiiy can rest better foundation, or be
Of more able validity and its enforcement
against this particular class Of culprits 10 demarded
y considerations hieh southern State al least,
Is at liberty t. disregard. The obligations Of obeai-
ence on tic part Of the Executive addressed, IS
placed beyond controversy by the Constitution
which formed and regulates the Union. We have
recently seen the Governor Of Ohio yield prompt
obedience with the demand Of Kentucky ir sirni-
lar instance. Nothing less would have comported
with the responsibilities Of bis elevated station and
wherever there is proper sense OF ofhcia obiiga-
ZION and vir,uous and intelligent public opinion
that refuses TO make unworthy concessions to
wicked spirit Of fanaticsm and disorder, unhesiia-
ting obedience must attend every case of proper
demand. While decline to express an opinion up
on the conduct Of the Governor of Maine, all the
facts Of the case are before me, the subject mat
ter is one that admits of division Of opinion in the
South, and it il to be hoped, nowhere within the
Union.
Itismy painful duty to announce the death OF
the Court OF Appeals. By hisdeath the Common
wealth is deprived Of highly able and faithful pub
lie officer and socitey, of Of its most estimabe
members.
set Of standard weights have been received
from the Secretary Of the Treasury OF the United
States, and il will be necessary to direct by lawn
,hey are to be preserved, and the mode by which
the weights now in use In the State shall be made
10 conform them.
lay before you a communication from the AdJu-
tant General, accompanied by the annual return OF
the Mitiu for the year 1888. Also report from
the superintendent of the Armorv, and accompany
ing documents. | alsolransmt report resolu
tons Of tie Legislature OF CONGRATULATIONS
from several OF the Banks, and communication
from the Board tf Administrators Of the Charity
Hospital, at New Orleans.
| have received from the Governor of Arkansas
a copy Of preamble and resolutions. adopted 10y
the legislature of that State the subject of the
disposition of the lands OF the United States within
her limit. This document was transmitted TO me
by the Executive of Arkansas in compliance with
one of the resolutions, by which no directed
to furnish the Executives Of all the States Of this
Union with a copy OF The preamble and resolution
and leaucst them TO lay the same before their
pective Legislature
As well from the proper respect for the wishes OF
the Legislature of Arkansas, as from sense nj the
vast magnitude and Importance of the questions
BILE and resolutions, aud earnestly invite your atcn
ton to the subject.
After the most careful consideration, not
able to divest myself Of the opinion that such a
disposition Of The pubic lands the preamble and
re solutions contemplate, would be inconsistent with
an enlarged wisdom and eng ened policy and iE-
compatible with the just authority OF Congress
The disposition Of the public domain desired b, Ar
kansas, upon principles which apply with equal
force to all the in which public lands sit
uated goes the xtent of comforting upon each If
these States, " the entire right to and exclusive CON
troll over nt the lands claimed by the Government
of tho United States whch within their borders.
The Legislature of Arkansas have instructed their
Senators and requested their Representatives ito
support, ard if necessary, to bring forward in Con-
press ard spare pains effect the pa ssage of
bill" for the accomplishment of these objects.
| entertain solemn conviction that the adoption
of such a measure by Congress, would be frausht
with great mischief to the tranquility OF the Union,
be productive of much injutyto the prosperity and
interests of this Commonwealth, as well of oil
the other States having public lands within their
mits--nvolve sacrifice of the rights reserved in
their acts of cession by Virginia New York, North
Carolina, Georgia. and other States constitute a
breach of the terms on which the trust was confded
to Congress of disposing of the public lands. l
deem it my duty, therefore, to cail your particular
attention the extent of the claims now made on
oeildI Vi WDtTc tue IdHuS lie, ana
TO recommend to you the adoption of such means as
you may consider best for interposng the authority
and influence of his State prevent the Of
the measure contemplated
The policy heretofore pursued in regard to the
public lands has been Sufficiently liberal. Under its
operation, the States formed out of this Terri
tory have multiplied, grown and pros pered in wealth
population, and power, o an extent unexampled in
the history of the world. The abundance and cheap
ness Of that rich domain have invited II continued
emigration, which while il furnished an industrious,
hardy, and enerprsing population to the new States
has been perpetual drain upon the resources and
prosperity Of The older States Of the Cl!ion, While
the new States have filed up with astonishing RAJ
pdty, many of those the Atlantic, have been, if
not decreasing in population, agricultural improve
ment, and wealth, either stationary, or making very
inconsiderabe advancement.
The land system of the United States, as estab-
lished at an early period by the general laws for
surveying the lands, offering them for sale public
auction, and allowing such not sold pub
tic sale, 10 be entered at minimum price, was
dopted after great deiberation, with a saeacous
foresight and Just regard the interests of the old
as we'll as OF the new States. 1t opened COMPETE
ton in the purchase of the choice lands the cit
zens OF all the States. 1t prohibited, under
peanites the settlement and occupation Of the pub
C lands, by persons inruding upon them wi bout IL
tie, and IN derogaton of the rights of the public. 1t
was calculated IN theory to secure talr and sufh
cent price for all the lands offered for sale according
! TO Its different grades of value and by providing
the means of limiting The quantity that survey
ed and thrown into market, tended to prevent that
depreciation in the valEe of landed property which
IS the inevitable consequence ofncreasing thequan
tity Tor sale beyond the demand The system, in fact
rega~ed the public lands as the common property
OF the people Of all the States--as a common fund
to be applied to the common benefit of all, aud ha-
been ncotifrad md prasafycd Inv their united
exertions and valor, paid for out of the common
treasury soto be disposed OF, as would estpromote
the common interest OF ALL IL cannot be disguised,
however, that from some cause or other, we have
been disappointed in the success of many ofthe OBJ
jects OF that wise, liberal, and equal system-that