The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-11-08
Mason and Dixon,s Line,

Mason and Dixon's Line. ~
What was the origin Of itl We kearig
frequently spoken Of as connected with
slavery, and as originally relating to fhas
subject. Nothing can be farther from Tho
truth--at the time that line was established,
slavery existed on both sides Of Il. sA
brief account of its origin may be Of seass
interest just at this time. b. sssa
As early as the year 1889. q ,disputU
arose between William Penn and Lord
Baltimore respecting the construction 81
their respective grants, of what now lofuk
the States of Pennsylvania, Delawars, an6
Maryland. Lord Ba timors claimed -
and including the 4Oth degree Of north
latitude; and William Penn mildly, yer
firmly, resisted the claim. The dsbatabl%
land was one degree Of 50 English miles
on the south Of Pennsylyania, and; sxlsndr
ed west as far. as the State iiaslf Tho
matter was finally brought into the Cohfs
Of Chancery in England, and after ntedi-
Gus delays, on the ! 5th day Of May l7b8
| Lord Chancellor Hardwick made decrea
awarding costs against Lord BALTIMORE
and directing that Commissioners zsbou1a
be appointed TO mark the bonndAriss be.
tween the parties. The Commissioners
so appointed. met at Newcastle, on the
| 18th November. l775, and j not being eble
to agree, separated. After q farther Gjeqp
ton and delay, the whole matter was sel-
lied by the mutual agresmenf betwesn tle
surviving heirs OF the original lideanN.F
In. the year 1851, Mr. Charles Mxsoa.
OF ths Royal Observatory, wassseR ~
Pennsylvania, with all the needful ssfron-
omical instruments, to measure ddgfs&
| of latitude. Ths, duty he performeds md
a report Of his proceedings was made ~
the Royal Society Of London, for the yeAv
4 1857 's!ssl: 81 slssss$
Thi. Mr.. Mason and Jeremiah Dnsn
were appointed TO run the line in disentas
which appears to have been done in eenr
formity with the Lord Chancellorse decrse.
This Is the famous "Mason, and DixonA
line," and boundary between Pennsylv4.
mia on the south, and Maryiand on ~
north. Any one desiroas o9 mosss iiiIsi
nation, will find in Douglas, HistprHAf
America, published in Boston; PeQS1d
| History OF PennsyIsania; tho Msfnosss 81
the Historical Society 81 PsidhSy yIsadII
and Vssey's Reports, 352, Penn, Lss&
Baltimore. Nfsss1
Little did the actors in this matterl1anlt
that in alter times, tho line established &lilk
1 so much trouble and expense, swoald eyer
be connected with subject oaleulate1aA
shake great nation to iss cealre. IAsssh
Too Busy-No Tine to Rsad S.
This il q world Of iinAaxible cemmercsx
nothing ever given away, but eyerythjne
is bought and paid for. H by exclusisp
and absolute surrender OF oursslseas -
material pursuit, ne materializs tho mind.
we lose that class OF fsatisfactions of which
tho mind is the region and source, saA
/ young man in business, for instance ho-
/ gins to feel the exhilarating glow lof: sae>
cess. and deliberately de,ermines 10 ahan-
don himself to its delicious whirl. He sAye
to himself. will think Of nothing but busi-
ness till have made SO much money! aqa
then will begin new life. viii gathar
! around me books, and pictures, and
| friends. shall have knowledge, taste
| and cultivation. the perfumes Of scholar
ship, and winning speech, and graceful
! manners. will see foreign counties.
I and converse with accomplished men. i
will drink deep of the fountain of classic
lore. Philosophy shall guide me, history
shall instruct, and poetry shall charm ms
Science shsH open 10 me her world of WON
doris. shall then remember MY present
lille Of deudgery. as one recalls 2 pleasent
dream when the morning has, dawnsa.
He keeps his selfrsgisiered VOW. He
bends his thoughts downwards, and nails
them TO the q Ast. Every powes. sysgy If
lection, every taste, except those vhinh
his particular occppai ton call into play,ia
left to starve. Over the gates Of his mind
he writes, in letters which he who yuns
may read, No admittance,. except on bsp'
siness. ~ ..,,s. So.
In time he reaches the goal OF bis hopes, ;.
but now insulted nature begins to- claim
Iher revenge. That which was once pnna3-
ural is now natural to him. The enforced
constrsini has become rigid defernity. !.
The spring Of his mind is broken. He can
no longer lift his thoughts from the ground.
Books and knowledge, and wise ;discoprse.
f and the amenities of art, and thes soofdial
Of friendship, are like words .in.A ltrapge
tongue. To the hard, smooth surface ps
; his soul, nothing genial, graceful OF wins
ming will cling. lie cannot even purge IN
voice OF lis fawning tone, or pluck from
, his face the mean moneys getting maak
!, which the child does not look at witholl&
oeasing to smile. Amid the graces ana
ornaments of wealth he Is like blind mAIt
in pictureg allery. Thatyhich be ls6
done he must continue TO do, he must ae>
!, cumulaie riches which he cannot enjoy.
and contemplate the dreary prospeot ef
growing old without anything 70 make age
! venerable or attractive; for age withoue
wisdom and without knowledge. q tie
l winters cold without the winter 6res--
! George S. Hillard. sss :
u Rather avoid those vioss you esea nesu..
rally inclined to, than aim atthoss ezoel-
Ilences and perfections whick you wste
: never made for.
!. The foundation Of political haRpinsas sia
l confidence in the integrity Of mans