The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1821-03-05

The multiplication of Statutes, and the prurt-
ency of legislation which beset this people. il
likely soon to prove most grievous evil. In
England, very severe punishment, and verv
slight one, have been imposed by different stat
utes, passed without any reference to each 9TH
er, at the session. MIR. HALLAM informs
us, that IN the early ages of the houses of psria-
ment, 1t was no uncommon or unsatisfactory an
swer to petition of the Commons, that il would
not be granted without making a near lao in
those times it should seem that the making net0
lGO was wisely considered weighty matter,
not TO be undertaken On slight grounds, and that
it was better that a portion even the whole Of
the community; should sit down under some
Inconvenience, than that the legislature should
be put in action, and q nelc Iatc added to those
which alread regulated the conduct, or inter
fered with the fortunes Of the subject. Every
Senator should lay this down 20 himself as an in
eontrovertible truth. that every nsw Iaw is to a
certain extent evil. Matter for legislation
can never be wanting, as long as stage coach
runs, steam boat sails, or button is made in
the country. Legislators should reflect how Sc
rious an evil an IN ecessary law is, how mueh
better IT Is to leave a great deal to the elastic
ingenuity OF man how much more vigorously
and honestly his industry works, how much more
really and benefcially his skill contrives. under
the free sun and air of competition and self de-
pendence than in the artificial atmosphere of
bouuties--drawbacks-r sulations-or n1onona.
lies. Laissrr fare, the art Of standing still.
with the hands folded, aid the eyes open should
be studied by all our Statesmen II Is hard va
know when pressure is felt or calamity
weighs heavily to resist either our own desire Of
administering TO the sufferers or the loud CRY of
| the people who have been taught to turn 10 The
Legislature IN every instance for relief. whether
( the blow comes ircm their own folly or the Wis
itation of heaven a spirited child flies to its
parent to stop the rain from falling, or make the
sun shine bright. This NAV be beard. but il Is
worse TO deceive them with expectations which
cannot be realized, and TO saddle them al the
! same time, with permanent evil in the attempt
1 The Statesmsn's model in thes. cases should
| be that OF Fabius, CUnetanf0 restiluli rem The
! tie mptatlon which arises TO weak men, az distin-
gushing themselves by experiments in Legs
\ lation, betrsyes lementable Ignorance III The
duty which they were sent into the house ID
| fulfil. Ererinr IaisHfqencer.
II is calculated that by The census now Ia
king, the population of the United States will
be found 10 be about 100000 In 1910.
il was 7 1888
10 England, Mr.. Carlisle, notu outstanding
four convictions. has persesered in selling IL
| legal tooks-and has been prosecuted ihh
liuie. -
COLUMBIA, :. c. FEB. Is.
Srping has again visited our border, and he
time N the singing Of birds i come. For
the last week We have bad delightful vernaI
weather, and our woods are made vocal with
be ieaibered songsiers. Fresh shad are IN
our market N plenty, and lis said some were
caught as early as the last Of January.