American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1824-03-09

of other States. Great as are the powers Oh the
General Assembly, it has not right 10 DO wrong
This is prerogatiye which the Almighty does not
claim. Its not one OF his attributes. do wrong
is morally impossible TO Omnipotence itself.
| would ask, sir, what is to become OF oil the
other corporate acts passed by the General Assem-
bly, of this State, should this law be repealed We
have the same right TO annu them, or any OF them,
that we have to repeal this law, and there would be
as much propriety in doing il. Pass this bill and
we may hereafter have applications TO annul the
Bank and Turnpike charters. They, like this law,
rest on the faith OF the Stale, and ii that DC violated
by its Representatives in one instance, there is no
certainty, il may not in others. precedent having
been once set there may, and probably will be, tn-
urey, less hesitancy in repeating laws OF this kind.
There will not be wanting persons whose dssatisac.
ton with other acts of incorporation, may impel
them to seek their abrogaon. Aud such persons
will never be at loss Tor pretexts. The law IN
question has not more violent enemies III some OF
the good people of Appoquinimink Hundred, than
are be found in many o The citl2ens OF this state
to the charters Of The Bank and Turnpike Com
panes. Citizens of this description would, II they
could, there is no doubt, deprive these Companies
of their corporate rights and privileges. should
not be surprised for instance, il some wild and in
xperiencedLyc urgus who may hereafter acquire an
ascendeucy in the Legislature, encouraged by the re-
peal OF this law, should propose the revocation OF the
Bank charters on the ground Of their being VIOLA
lions of that provision in the Federal Constitution
which declares that " no state shall emit bills oil
credit" fl.i And should think he would have bet
ter reason for assalng them constitutional prin-
ciples, than the enemies Of this law have in ma.
king war on it. VIII then gentlemen reflect on the
consequences which may grow out OF this bill, should
it become law! And rejecting, will they hazard
these consequences aud the evils they will be sure
IN Ia .pill in he in
pillar which supports civil society; burst asundsr
the bonds by which it is held together. For what
is government without faith, more than an indivi
dual who has been notorious for violating his en-
sagements! From the moment confidence in its
pledges is destroyed, it ceases to respect ITSELF and
10 command from the community for whose benefit
II was instituted, the respect and obedience essen
ual 10 vigorous, useful exerIion Of its powers.
Why did the erenes oil the law sleep until now
before they set ABOUT raising an opposition to it II
vFol0, when the improvement has been nearly com
pleted; when 4500 dollars have been expended onl
It, and 500 dollars WILDE sufficient 10 finish it II
Having been Tor two years idle, inactive spectaiorsI
oil the Work whilst progressing; the grant il admit
ted TO have been al first wrong, ought to be CON
sidered right n0W, in regard to them. For many
nets or things which in their commencement are
unjust, may by an uninterrupted, continued persis-
lance in them, become after time right. For
example, one individual takes possession Of piece
1f land which belongs 10 another and holding i'll
luietly for q years, he acquires legal right TO it,.
so also our ancestors in Selling and kidnapping
he sayages OF Africa, and bringing them to this
country TO make slaves Of them, committed what
vas en- act OF injustice in violating their natural,
lights yet alter having been brought here, theyI
we're regarded as slaves by the provincial laws as
heir posterity are still by the laws Of most of the
states, the other States acquiescing in the condition
imposed on them. Thus it appears that thing
nay in its origin be morally wrong, and yet alter
Yards become legally right.
1t was in the power Of the Blackbird malcontcnts
'eiore the marsh holders commenced The improve
nent OF their marsh, by constructing bank and
topping the creek, TO have prevented them from
ticking spade in the marsh, or throwing shovel
oil OF mud, by applying TO the Chancellor for a !
writ OF Injunction to stay the work, until the con
of the law which they disputed, should
'e ludically decided They did not, however see
proper to pursue this course-a course so plain and
lBhilui--a course that presented 10 both partiesl
he ialresl chance OF equal justice. In neglectingl
o do this, they committed error. And shall
hey IN violation OF well known maxim of law, be a
ermtted nooo TO take advantage of their error 2lb
% avail themselves of it too, when in consequence n
the marsh holders having expended so much
money on the improvement, they were eInpoweredlp
y the Legislature 10 begin and carry on, it will be
Productive Of such loss and injury TO them? Sure :,
Y the honest men from Newcastle, from Kent, andI
rom Sussex, who compose this House, will notl h
anction by their authority what is so unreasonable
nd unfair.
There was no public notice given, as is usual in m
UGH cases, and as is required by Legislative reso
lon passed some years since, that there would BIZ
y application to the General Assembly at their pre- :,
ent session. to repeal the law. A part of the - -
nafsh holders were ignorant of the intended an ::
icaton, and remained so Gas have been inform !,
d) until the bill which we are now considering, had
zen reported in the Senate, had passed that BODY
nd been sent this House for concurrence When.
Yer any subject is brought before the General AS w.
emily, in respect to which there are conA,,,ia p"