Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1841-06-10

The States are emphatically the constitu-
enis Of this Government, and we should be
entirely regardless Of the objects he'd in
view by them in the creation Of this Gov
eminent if We could be indifferent to their
good. The happy effects Of such mea-
sure upon all the States would Immediate
~ be manifested. With the debtor States
II would effect the relief, TO great extent,
Of the citizens from heavy burden OF d.
rect taxation which presses with severity
on the laboring classes, and eminentiy
assist in restoring the general prosperity.
An immediate advance would take place
IN the price Of the State securities, and
the attitude OF the States would become
once more, as il should ever be, lofty and
erect. With States laboring under no
extreme pressure from debt, the FUND
which they would derive from this source
would enable them 10 improve their con.
dition in an eminent degree. So far as
this Government is concerned, Bpproprla-
lions TO domestic objects, approaching 10
amount the revenue derived from the land
sales, might be abandoned, and thus sys-
tenn of unequal and therefore unjust legisla
ton would be substituted by one dispensing
equality to all the members of this Confed.
eracy. Whether such distribution should
be made directly TO the States in the pro-
cecds Of the sales, or IN the form ofprofits
by virtue of the operations of any fiscal
agency having those proceeds as its basis,
should such measure be contemplated by
,,nil "A rnpsIIa-
ration. Nor would such disposition of the
proceeds of the sales in any manner pre-
vent Congress from time to time from
passing all necessary pre- -emptlon laws for
the benefit of actual settlers, or from
making any new arrangement as to the
price Of the public lands which might in
future be esteemed desirable.
beg leave particularly to call your
attention to the accompanying report
from the Secretary Of War. Besides the
present state of the war which has so long
afflicted the Territory of Florida, and the
various other matters of interest therein
referred to, you will learn from It that the
Secretary has instituted an inquiry into
abuses, which promises to develop gross
enormities in connection with Indian trea.
ties which have been negotiated, ns well
as 10 the expenditures for the removal and
subsistence of the Indians. He represents
also other Irregularities Of a serious nature
that have grown up in the practice Of The
Indian Department, which will require
the appropriation Of upwards of $780,
600 to correct, anG which claim the lmme-
date attention Of Congress.
In rejecting on the proper means of
defending the country, we cannot shut our
eyes to the consequences, which the IN
PRODUCTION and use of the power Of steam
upon he ocean are likely to produce IN
wars between maritime states. We can
not yet see the extent 10 which this power
may DE applied in bellgerent operations,
connecting itself as it does with recent
Improvements IN the science of gunnery
and proiectles; but we need have no fear
of being left in regard to these things,
behind the most active and skilful Of other
nations, if the genius and enterprise of our
fellow-citizens receive proper encourage
mcnt and direction from Government.
True wisdom would, nevertheless, seem
to indicate The necessity Of placing in per-
foct condition those Notifications which
are designed for the protection OF our
principal cities and roadsteads. For the
defence of our extend ID maritime coast,
our chief reliance should be placed on our
Navy, aided by those inventions which
are destined to recommend themselves to
public udoption-but notime should be lost
in placing our principal cities on the sea-
board and the lakes, in state of entire
security from foreign assault.
Separated as we are from the countries
Of the Old World, and in much unaffected
by their policy, we are happily relieved
from the necessity Of maintaining large
standing armies in times of peace. The
policy which was adopted by Mr.. Monroe,
shortly after the conclusion Of the last
war with Great Britain, of preserving a
regularly organzt staff, sufficient for
the command of large military force,
should, he necessity for one ar Sc, IS found
ed us well in economy Us in true wisdom.
Provision is thus made, upon filling up the
rank and file, which can readily be done
on any emergency, for the introduction
OF system Oh uiSClpiIHe, Uold PloHiPtiy
and efficiently. All that is required IN
time of peace is to maintain sufficient
number of men to guard our Notifications,
to meet any sudden contingency, and to
encounter the first shock of war. Our
chief reliance must be placed or the milf
tia they constitute the great body of ma
tional guards, and, inspired by an ardent
love Of country, will be found ready at oil
times, and at all seasous, 10 repair with
alacrity to It's defence. 1t will be regard
ed by Congress, doubt not at suitable
time, as one of its highest duties to attend
to their complete organization and discip-
line.
The state of the Navy pension fund re.
quires the immediate attention of Con-
gress. By the operation of the act of the
Sd Of March, 1887, entitled can act for
the more equitable administration Of the
Navy Pension lund"-that fund has been
exhausted. 1t will be seen, from the &C.
companying report Of the Commissioner
of Pensions, that there will be required,
for the payment Of Navy Pensioners, on
the first Of July next, SSs,706 06, and
IN Al r