Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1846-12-23

could not overleap. To secure the bless
ing of liberty, protect our people in the
pursuit of happiness, elevate them in the
grade of humanity, and advance them in
all the Improvements and acts Of civilized
life, are objects of higher, far higher i'm
port and utility than to dazzle them by the
glare and splendor of military renown, ,and
lead them on in the bloody track of con-
quest. Founded on sacred regard for the
rights Of mar, land resting on the intelligence
and public virtue Of the people for its Sc
curity, our government occupies an eleva-
ted position before the civilized world
The intercourse Of our country with for
eign nations. as we'll as the administration
Of our own internal affairs should be mark
ed bya high regard for justice and the rights
Of mankind under all circumstances; and
if it be the object of our people TO extend
the influence Of free Institutions to other
nations ofthe world, far more can be done
by the moral influence Of example than by
conquest and force of victorious arms.
respectfully call your attention to the
laws now in force for the regulation Of
the militia. They were originally design
ed to operate in time Of peace, but are
defective and inefficient even then. In
time Of war they are wholly incompetent.
The salaries now paid to Adjutant and
QuartermasterGe Generals are also inadequate
to secure men Of military talents, such Us
are indispensable in raising and organizing
troops for the service Of the country. The
present incumbents, during the last six
months, have served their country with
degree Of skill and fidelity which will COM
mend them to your favorable consideration.
The unhappy controversy between the
authorities Of Virginia and Ohio, in regard
to jurisdiction, which arose in 1915, has
not as yet been satisfactorily aud definitely
adjusted The citizens taken forcbly from
this State to be tried in Virginia, have
been discharged on mere nominal bonds,
and the question Of jurisdiction which a
rose in the prosecution was carried to the
General Court of Virginia. But division
Of opinion in that tribunal on the question
has prevented final adjudication of the
controversy. The authorities of Virginia
have not vet authorized the arrest and
surrender of the persons demanded as fu.
gitives from the justice Of this State, on the
charge Of abduction. The facts connected
with this difficulty were fully laid before the
Gen Assembly at the late session. Iagain
commend the subject your special attention.
| can only repeat the recommendations
made in my former communications to the
General Assembly, in favor Of the repeal
OF the laws imposing useless and unjust
restrictions and disabilities on the coored
populotion Of this State. These lawshave
no tendency to limit the emigration and
settlement of this kind ofpopulation within
Ohio, and they are at variance with the
humane spirit Of the age and inconsistent
with the character Of our people. The
colored population already located in our
State, should be treated with humanity and
justice. Their rights are entitled to the
protection of our laws, although their set
Element in Ohio may be unfortunate for
themselves, Their further emigration to
the State oug ght not TO be encouraged; and
it might be discouraged, if it become nee
essary, in manner not inconsistent with
humanity and justice.
The question of the Banks and the Cur
rency, which has occassoned much strife
and controversy in this State for many
years, is now, it is hoped, definitely settled.
The new banking system which has been
established has, thus far, been sucessclul,
i'll accomplishing the beneficial purposes
of its creation. The currency ofthe State
has been restored, and is now in more safe
and sound condition than at any former
period. Want Of confidence and alarm are
no longer felt among those who are engaged
in commercial affairs in this State, and the
Banks have afforded, so far as prudent
regard for public interest would permit,
those accommodations which the business
of the country required. No action of
the General Assembly is believed to be
necessary on this subject at the present
time. The safety and utility OF this new
system Of banking has been tested, and
during the two years past, no subject has
been made more prominent in the political
controversies before the people of this
State than this. Twice, already, have the
people at the ballot box pronounced in its
favor. No longer can public sentiment on
the subject be misunderstood. The Curren-
cy OF the State is in the hands of almost
every citizen. and is necessarily, intimate
ly connected with the whole business of the
country. A political war. therefore, up
on it is war upon the business and interest
of the people. A proper respect for the
will of the majority,as we'll as due regard
for the interests Of the country,as humbly
conceive, dicta.e that this question be no
longer made subject Of political contro-
versy in Ohio.
There are now twenty six Banks in op-
Grafton under the new SYSTEM. of which
seventeen are branches of the State Bank
and nine are Independent Banks. The
aggregate amount Of capital of the branches
OF the State Bank, is ST., ,496, 757 A; and
the amount Of the circulation on the I'd Of
November, 1946, was $2,655,3 ,346 Co.,