Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1888-12-06

that appropriate measures be taken to COM
plete the adjournment of the various grants
made to ste states for internal improve
nnents and OF swamp and overhewed lands,
as VOL as TO adjudicate and finally deter
mine the validity and extent Of the numer-
Gus private land claims. ALI these are ele-
ments OF great Injustice and peril TO the
settlers, upon the localities affected; and
now that their existence can not be avoided
no duty ia more pressing than to fix as
soon as possible their bounds and terminate
the threats Of trouble which arise from un-
certainty.
THE INDIAN.
The condition Of our Indian population
continues TO improve AMI the proofs multi
| ply that the transforming change, so much
to be desired. which shall substitute for
bar bariam enlightenment and eivilizIng
education, is In favorable progress. 01r
relations with these people during the year
have been disturbed BY no serious dis
orders, but rather marked by better
realization Of their true interests. and
increasing confidence and goodwill.
These conditions testify to the value OF the
HIGHER tone OF consideration and humanity
which has governed the later methods OF
dealing With them, and commend Its con-
ttnued observance. Capacity Of the Indian
no longer needs demonstration. tits eetab-
lished.
THE PENSIONS.
l am thoroughly convinced that our gen
| eral pension laws shonld be- revised and adj
iusted to meet, as far as possible in the
| Light OF our experience, all msri-
torious CAGES. Tho fact that 102
differept rates of pensions are paid
can not, in my opinion, be made
consistent with Justice to the PEN
sioners or to the government; and the nu-
rnerons private peasion bills that are
| passed, pEedtcated upon the imperfeotlon
OF general laws, while they increase 10
many cases exciting inequality and iDjus-
,ice, lend additional forqa TO the recon-
mendation Tor a revision OF the general
laws on ghls subject.
4 Tho iExlty of ideas prevailing among
y large number of our people regarding pen
4 bIOn6 Is becoming every day moro marked.
\ The principles upon which they should be
grained are ia danger of being altogether
/ ignored, and already pensions are often
Claimed 5acanse the applicants are as much
I entitled as other successful applicants
4 rather than mon any disability reasonably
attributable 10 military service. II the estab-
llshraent Of Vicious precedents be continued,
II the granting Of pensions be not divorced
from partisan and other unworthy and ir-
relevant considerations, and IL the honor
able name Of veteran unfairly becomes by
these means but smother term for one who
constantly clBmnra Tor the AID OF the gov
ernment, there Is danger that injury will be
done TO the fame and patriotism of many
whom our citlzsns all delight to honor, and
that a prejudice will be aroused unjust to
meritorioua applicants for pensions.
AGRICULTURE.
During the past four years the process of
4 d fusion, az applied 10 the manufacture OF
bsuggr from 8 jrShlm apd- sugar cane, has
Il bsen iptrpdpcet info fhIs country and fully
Y perfected BY tie expet ltnents carried on by
theaopaSfment Jof agriculture. This pro-
4 cess 10 n0w untvfrshlly considered 10 be the
4 Inoat ecoponieal s3nft, and It is through 1t
tlaii the sorghum sugar Industry has been
\ estapli4had upen q q ia basis and the road
j ID Is antYr q Alceesss opsged. The adoption
\ o. this Diffusion, process IL also extending
Ia Logisiane and other eurHr-produeing
parts Of the country, aud will doubtless
soon be the only method employed for the
extraction OF sugar from the cane.
The consciousness that have presented
but in imperfect stRtemenEJf the condition
Of our country and Its wants, occasions no
fsar that anything omitted Is not known
ard appreciated by the Congress, upon
whom rests the responsibility OF Intelligent
legislation in behalf OF great nation and q
Ioonfiding people.
As public servants we shall do our duty
well II we constantly guard the reetitude Of
our intentions, maintain unsullied our love
of countryoand with unselhsh purpose
strive tor theRublic good.
WASHINGTON, December 81, 1858.