The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-01-21


1t is supposed. sometime, must now in
tervsna, before these suits can be brought
to 4 close. Should further important in
formation be received, before your ad-
iournment, it will be communicated.
Iought, also, in justice to add. that, not
with.tanding slavery is interviewer with
all their institutions and civil relations
south Of the Ohio river, there is. neverthe-
less, to be found, noble and generous i'm.
pulses in favor of the coored race, among
a large portion Of the people. achen the
right of freedom is honestly believed to
eriSt.
Among the charitable and benevolent
institutions Of the age, there is one unfor.
tunate class for which little enquiry has
boon made. and less done TO improve their
condition. allude to the Imbscils and
Idiotic. The first Asylum for Idiots, in
England. was established in Colchester in
l847. 1t was supposed there, until that
period, nothing could be done for the BEN
eft Of the Idiot, and that their number was
worry limited. In both particulars, it ap-
pears, from actual statistics. and expert
encs at the Colchester Asylum, that an
entirely erroneous opinion had prevailed.
The Rev. Edwin Sidney, who visited
the Colchester Asylum to inspect its oper-
atoms remarks that, "Of all the wondrous
projects Of the present age. there is not
one more truly work OF Christian love,
or with more encouraging prospects Of
success. than this newly formed, but effec-
tive institution for the Idiot. saw more
than enough fully to convince me, that it
is worthy Of most cordial support" Again,
These pitiable objects have generally i'm
provable faculties, conscience in great
or or less degree. capabilty Of being
trained. sense Of shame, power Of dis
covering kind intentions, gratitude, affec-
ton" Idiots being ordinarily KEEP, ou.
of view. has led TO the conclusions that
their numbers are small. In England, it
has been found they equal, if they do not
outnumber the insane.
In Massachusetts they far exceed what
had been supposed, and commendable ef-
forts have been made in tha, State for their
care and improvement. Although the sub.
ject is in its infancy. the experiments fully
confirm all that has been said, IN reference
to the inmates of the Asylum at Colches-
ter.
1t is suggested that some mode should
be devised by which the number of Idiots
in our own State shall be sscertainsd. with
a view to their cure. protection and welfare.
1t may be conveniently done through the
several township assessors, with but triang
inconvenience or expense.
In this communication. have barely
mentioned the institution for the Blind, the
Deaf and Dumb. The philanthropy Of
the present age has taught the inmates OF
the first to read. and the last to converse.
Considerations which carry with them un.
speakabls enjoyment, and they are spe.
cally recommended to your favor and
protection. .....
Bv certain acts OF Congress passed on
the end of March, 1927. the 24th of May.
1928, the end of April $780, and the 3Oh
Of June. 1884, grants Of lands were made
to the State Of Ohio TO aid in the con-
struction of tho Wabash and Erie, the
Miami and Dayton Canals Previous to
1850. an opinion had, generally. prevailed
that by fair constructors! of these grants,
Ohio was entitled to large quantities of
land IN addition TO those she had been al
lowed by the Commissioner of the Land
Office. Efforts had been made, but no
satisfactory adjustment concluded; and
on the 9Th day of Feb. 1850, the Gener-
al Assembly passed resolution in these
words:
"Resolped. That the Governor is here.
by authorized to employ such means as hs
may deem best for the interests of the
State, to abtain from the Government of
the United States, any lands to which the
State may be entitled. under the grants
heretofore made by Congress for canal
and other purposes" &C.; ''prorided, that
no charge shall be made on the Treasury
for carrying this resolution into effect"
Afterwards, on the 25th day of the same
month, my predecessor entered into con.
tract with the Honorable John W. Allen,
of Cuyahoga county, by which. amongst
other things, it was agreed, that MIR. Allen
should undertake the adjustment Of these
lands, with the General Government, and
have one third of all he should obtain for
the State of Ohio, in addition to those be.
fore received, as a consideration for his
expenses and services. If nothing was
obtained for the State. nothing was to bs
paid. This contract was signed by Mr..
Allen, Governor Ford, officially, and is
under the Great Seal Of the State. My
first intimation that such contract existed,
was on finding it with the files soon after
came into office. Mr.. Allen employed
assistance, and. during the past season,
succeeded in obtaining complete title to
between sixty and seventy thousand acres
of land Application was then made for
conveyance of one-third of these lands,
to be held by Mr.. Allen in common with
the State. This was refused. doubling
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