Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1843-12-14

! late child in the State VIII have dOWry
in your laws, which nothing can wrest
from his hands, and never will your own
call upon him for service be so legitimate
never can your demand that Ire shall
submit himself, for your sake, 10 pains
and dangers. and death ITSELF Wnh so
perfect right as when you have sought
him out in his hours of helplessness and
ministered TO his wants, and have put
away from his mind one of the heaviest
and bittcrest Affections which Orphanage
and poverty can bring.
In connection with this general sub
iect | recommend to the notice aud.
to the fostering iber~IHy If lhss
Legislature, the military school at
Lexington. and that fer the deaf and
dumb and the blind at Stanton. Ihe
very commodious building which was in-
tended for this latter institution is still
incomplete. and must remain so, to the
common injury OF the State and her un-
fortunate children, unless the Lesjsa.
ture. in a spirit Of rea! and prompt phi-
anthrophv, Will at once interfere 70 car
ry through what it has So huataLely and
properly begun.
The other school, the military ore at
Lexington, (the annual report upon ,
which, by the Board of Visitors, IS here
with communicated is not only entitled
i'll every point Of view TO the literary rank
and popular confidence which it has 50
successfully acquired. but is so fimlY
established. that it may easily lie made:
to cnuduct its Operations upon any lar
ger scale which the muniEiceuCe Of the
Legislature may direct, or the public de
mand for its peculiar plans Of discipline
and instruction require. 1t is rapidly
becoming nursery Of valuable teachers,
whose services are eagerly sought for,
and upon this ground, independently Of
every other, is well wol thy of having is
powers of uselulnrss exterded. Wheth-
er it be the pleasure of the Legislature,
however, TO add to its general endow-
ment at presenter not, the erection OF
asszine and of gun-houseS fer the can
non, as recommended by the adjutant
general, in his annual report, cannot be
neglected any longer without seriuu,
risk to the property IF the place.
1t would have been h;3hly gratifying
to report to the Legislature at the be-
ginning OF its labOrs, that the act Of the
last session authorizing the Executive,
pom certain conditions, to suspend the
law subjecting to inspection the vessels
which entered the ports Of Virginia from
the Stase Of New York, had been fully
carried into effect, and that thus every
remnant Of a painful controversy, and
still more painful subject OF controver.
sy, between these sister States, had betn
happily and forever disposed of. | re-
gret however, to inform you, that no
change having taken place in the legal
attitude Of New York, upon the general
subject to which the inspection OF
her vessels relates, no opportunitT
has been afforded for the Executive
exercise of your conditional authOri-
ty. 1t is nevertheless. hoped, and con-
fidenty hoped, that this attitude viii bc
reinGuished by every branch of her
Government; that the continued sanction
of thst great State will not be given by
her Legislature to enactmento which
have to support in the Constitution, nor
in the laws, nor in the judicial decisions
IF the Federal Government, and which,
operating mainly upon structure Of So
Ciety and Of interests exterior 10 her own
can have no other practical effect than
the fatal one Of So invading the peace
and security and rights OF her sister
Commonwpaiths. as to threaten the u
Mon of them all with violence and con-
vulson. Ii however, nothing should at
last be done, and the matters at issue
between US be left as they are, Virginia
cannot but dep}ore such an event more
than ever, because more than ever POI tei
ding "a period when she and every other
southern State may be co npclled to ap-
peal TO their own rights Ut reserved and
ultimate sovereignty Tor that perfect safe
ty, which they had Iondly hoped 1t was
competent to their Federal compact to
afford.
The adiutant generals annual report
upon the subject of the militia. which is
! herewith communicated, will SGyise you
minutely Of its condition, and Of what,
in his judgment, (ahd he is we'll known
TO the Legislature as an experienced and
abe olIicer.i is the extent aud mode in
which it is most practicable 10 discipline
and improve it. His suggestions, espe-
clally about the proPrlety vi reinstalin%
the Office Of brigade inspector, and revls-
ing the militia laws, if not the militia sys-
ten, are worthy of your delbelation.
would invite the attention Of the L.
glslature to the condition OF the pubhe
warehouses, and would respec tfulv sdTss
sest that examinations into their man.
agement. even by committees of their
own body where it is practicable, would
not be inexpedient.
A vacancy has occurred upon the bench
of the General Court, by the death of
Lewis Summers, Esq, which it now de-
wolves upon you to fill. This vacancy
having taken place some months ago, It
might have been filled by recess APP
polntment of the Executive, but as il
was too late for new judge TO enter with
any preparation upon the duties of the