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Itis "A most extraordinary thing that men elected
ey the people TO places of trust and power, should 80
far forget the duties which they owe 10 that people,
as TO commit acts in open violation Of their oath, ine
laws of the General Government, and in defiance Of
every rule of common sense OF such nature, how
ever, is the conduct OF Mr.. Kent the Governor OF
Maine, in his recent crazy undertaking TO rsn the
North East Boundary Line. He had much better
run line round his own throat We do not intend
10 handy unnecessary words about this business and
shall therefore proceed straight 10 the mark.


Every American knows that there is a certain piece
Of territory in dispute as to ownership between Ame-
rca and Great Britain. The right to hold on to this
niece Of ground, or rcnqulsh all claim to II, be.
longs 10 the General Government and TO the General
Government only. The government Of the State Of
Maine has neither lot nor part in the matter atprc-
sent II has not vet been settled de6ntvey that the
ground in dispute belongs to the State Of Maine
The British are at present in possession Of II, and
have been 30 ever since the close Of the war


The old proverb, however, that possession is nine
points Of the law, does not apply in any way, shape
or manner, in this ease. Our government consented
that the British should retain possession of this dis
pnied territory ill il was definively disposed of by
treaty in an amcabe way. This proviso, hewever
was made, viz that such possession Of this ground
by the British should not add aught to the strength
Of their claim upon this land, nor in the least degree
prejudice the future claim Of the same by this govern
menL Now, therefore, il is clear that the British can
not allow this unacknewledred, and TO them IN.
known third party videlice the Governor Of Maine,
TO come in, take possession, run the line, and turn
them on, without any further treaty the subject.
Common sense at once tlls us that this is not the
proper course to be pursued under existing circum
stances; and common honesty tells us that except
ruder the orders Of the General Government neither
the people nor any Of the local authorities Of Maine
have the least authority to interfere.


The constitution OF the United States 10 very clear
anon this point; and Il Governor Kent y not con-
ys,..n, with IT, and his powers under Il, we think u
heh time that he was BY our glorious and blessed
constitution. the matters in dispute between US and
foreign power are to be left 10 the disposition OF the
general eovernment-the power is sscissipeiy dele
gated to the general government even though the
qneston at issue affected only the most minute por-
ton Of this country. This interference, therefore, by