The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-03-23

tne connecting oil the Audnuc WIN tue ocHiS'
The Mexican war broke out, and during Its con-
tinuance mems minds were engrsssed with other
matters, especially with the honor and dignity OF
the country on the fed OF battle. Peace was
concluded, and with the treaty entered into with
| Mexico, we got, as indemnity, vast portion OF
her territory, including the magnificent bay Of San
Francisco, one OF the most commodious, safe, and
beautiful harbors the world, rlvaling, il not ex-
ceiling, that of Naples or New York, and the very
thing which we required. The great disideratum
was supplied the only obstacle that appeared In
view was, by the treaty OF peace between the
United States and Mexico removed, and then 1t
became apparent that if we were not indeed dull
and perverted generation, the work SO long con-
templated would be Immediately undertaken. The
subject was discussed in the newspapers, at public
meetings, In the legislatures of various States,
well as In the halls OF Congress, and the call on
the last mentioned body was almost imperative to
move In the matter AS If we had not sufficient
inducements before us--as if to satisfy and con-
vince the most sceptical, the gold MINES OF CALI
fornia. inexhaustble, almost, as the coal beds of
Pennsylvania or the lead diggngs Of Illinois, came
to light, and mmed tely there was rush to that
distant region, of thousands and tens OF thousands
of our citizens. This was the last link--the last
| great proof OF the necessity of forming such
communication; and this discovery commanded,
in thunder tones, the people of the United States
to be up and dolngto be alive to their destiny, and
to constructive proposed communication. lncon-
sequence, however, of the introduction OF the
slavery question into the short of Congress,
our national Legislators, although they were aware
of the necessity of the work, had not time or
leisure to act in the matter, and the most that was
done on the subject, was to receive petitions and
refer and report on them tavOrably.
This important matter must be kept alive. If 1t
be agitated and kept before the public mind con-
stantly between this time and next December,
there can be very little doubt that final Legislative
action will be taken on it during the next session
of Congress. The people of the West seem de-
termned that as far at least they concerned,
this great project shall not die. Meetings and
conventions are proposed, Zone at MemphisD in
different parts OF that region of our country. But
why does not the East move? Why do not the peo-
pie on the Atlantic coast stir in the matter? All
of the great sea port towns on the AtanticBeston,
New York, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New Or
leans-have great interest In such work. 1t has
been demonstrated most clearly and conclusivey
that needs but the construction OF such work to
make the United States the dispenser OF the COM
merce oil the whole world; and in the benefits ac-
cruing from that POSITION our Atlantic cltes-espe-
claIy New York--would participate In great
degree. We know this, and therefore it Is that
we have always advocated the measure, and now
refer to it for the purpose OF keeping 1t before the
public, lest their zeal might cool.
Various propositions having the proposed end in
view, have been submitted to Congress; but that
| - or ont md
place the control of it IN the hands OF government,
appears to us the most proper one. 1t must not be
private monopoly-we want no monopohes In
this country. When carried out, it will confer
benefits on all, and the federal government which
has the interest of the whole country its keeping
| ought TO undertake 1t and control it.
Law ADVERTISING. We believe that advertising
IN newspapers is resored to for the purpose OF CIV
Ing the largest publicity to the matters, whatever
they may be, which are embraced In those publica-
tons. This rule applies with double force to the
publication of legal proceedings When the Legs
lature passed an act that portion of the proceed
lngs IN the State courts should be published, In
der that the parties interested should have notice,
and be prepared to defend their nights they doubt
less intended that these proceedings should have
as IN many other legislative enactments, they have
slgnaly failed, because they were influenced by
party views, IN confnng the publication to certain
local papers, which they ought to have known
never had, nor never have, any circulation be-
yond the contracted circle of their own little
ciques
population so floating as ours, so constantly
changing their domciles from State to ano-
Their, and frequently leaving undivided property
behind them, require that the most extensive
publicity should be given to proceedings which
may affect their interests. We find almost daily
that the rights of persons residing in the Eastern,
Western, and Southern Staes-to say nothing Of
persons who return to Europe, leaving property
here-are adjudlcated upon, the Judges assuming
that they are duly notified OF what Is going on.
Now, let Us see If such an assumption is well
founded, and If absent parties are afforded fair
opportunity of protecting their rights.
In this city the advertising OF law notices Is con-
fine to two or three party papers, which do not,
betwee them circulate probably over 5000 copies
within the city limits, aud not much more than,
LOCO over all the other States of the Union The
same objection applies to the Albany paper In
winch advertisements inserted virtue OF legal
enactments 1t is scarcely necessary to say, nor
will it be pretended, that that paper has very large
circulation beyond its own locality. Can it there
fore be said, with truth, that persons residing IN
Europe, in Wisconsin Missouri, Louisiana, Ar
kansas, &C., have Office of what Is going on in
our courts through the medium of an advertise
ment In such papers as we have referred tot
The idea Is preposterous; they neither have nor
can have 1t, whilst the present system remains In
operation. We therefore say, advlsedly, without
intending to impue any blame ~ the Judges,) that
the interest of absent parties must necessarily, be
sacrificed, for the want of being duly notified to
defend their rights.
Whether the practice Of advertising in papers
that have little or no circulation happens by acct