Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1837-01-21

uoHatS, anu pfoedOll Out u1ue' " any over No
thousand the accounts have not yet been handed
m is fairly chaIgeable TO, and DO doubt Will be pad
by the General Government when presented, OF
aS soon as an appropriation Is made by Congress.
In consequence ct the absence of Captain
Grant from the State. could not procure the ac-
counts aud vouchers IN time TO forward them, n
agreed upon, TO Lieutenant Cross, at New Or
leans, to be by hun submitted TO the War Depart
ment and, as the responsibilities incurred by M
dWlduals Tor advances made, may become rather
oppressive before the money can be obtained
from the General Government, submit the pro-
prety OF an appropriation the part of This State
TO, their reimbursement and that the clam upon
the General Government, accompanied with the
proper document be forwarded to our dele atlon
IN Congress to be presented for payment.
The accounts aud vouchers will be handed to
your committee when called tor, with any other
documents touching the subject, lnmy possession,
that may be desired.
AMENDMENTS OF THE CONSTITUTION.
The difficulties already experienced growing out
of the defects Of the Constitution, seem To have Sa-
tisied and prepared the public mind for certain a
nendmentS, and warrant the belief that prnpnS-
uens submitted Tor that purpose will be iavorably
received.
The clause prohibiting the introduction Of slaves
as merchandise, particularly claims your lnterpnSl-
ton The acton of the Legislature having been
withheld, the provision remained Tor time wholly
imperative; but 1t has now become a mootcd Ques-
ton under tins clause OF the constitution, whether
contracts ior that description Of prope, ty can BE-
enforced; and the plea effects at leaS, delay OF
IN IN ftEn ~
ed to impair that confidence and security, that should
exist in good faith under the protection OF the laws.
In earnestly pointing your attention IL the proprlety
and necessity OF acting upon this clause; shall not
stop To speak Of other Prov SONS that will no doubt
present themselves To your notice.
The fact OF q proposition to amend this clause,
having been once submitted To vote OF the pco-
pie, and not receiving the majority required, seems
TO have created disrust, that has operated To DIS
courage further attempts, and the circumstance has
been urged as an Argument To prove, that the
mode of amendment prescribed is wholly inefficient,
but trust, upon further trial, 1t may be found fully
adequate TO all the purposes intended.
The experiment, am persuaded, has not been
fully and fairly made. In consequence of the failure
of the Legislature to act upon this provision, there
exists no penalty to be cnorced and the restrictive
and oppressive operations of such all act as was evi-
IDENTITY contemplated by the trainers of the constr
tuition, have not been brought To bear directly upon
our citizens. But the Ill consequences now expert
enced and here alluded To, have little doubt will
insure decided vote for It's amendment. IT, how
ever such vote should not be gwen, on tins or
aav other proposition submitted Tor amendment, it
must I've taken as satisfactory evidence that the
People are satisfied, and do not desire the change
The provision prescribing the mode of amending
the constitution was considered as redecmng
qualification for many OF lis defects; and possess,
this decided advantage over the old constitution:
that attempts to modify may be freely INDUCED IN.
and if they fail, no injury results II will scarcely
BIZ doubted, | think, that we should have been
spared at least some of the evils of which we now
complain, if a similar provision had existed in the
old constitution
EDUCATION.
cannot too strongly recommend TO your favora-
bic considerations the subject of Education; nor can
il receive from your action support too strenuous.
The means and resources Of tins State placed with
in your reach, and set apart Tor the promotion Of
this important object, are abundant and ample, and
requires only pdiclous application to effect the
purposes contemplated
Primary schools are regarded as demanding, in
an especial manner, from Legislative action, that fos-
terinO care necessary to Impart To them life and
Experience derived from the history of republics,
50 far as the analogy holds, as well numerous cX-
amplcs afforded BY the archives of the different
States 90 to establish the fact that however clear
and distinct the lines OF organic law may be drawn,
they are of themselves insufficient II is the moral
intelligence of the great body of the people which
constitutes our strength, and upon which we are to
RELY as the only efficient security for the support and
presentations Of our happy institutions.
With this admission, and the strong incentives to
action, am satisfied the subject viii receive from
You the attention and care II merits
The bonds or notes given Tor the seminary lands,
and which amount to S277,000, are now all due;
and the original Sales together with the interest
that has accrued now exceeds $3I0,000 which, at
ten per cent, the rate of interest they bear, will
create an annual revenue OF more than 100000
With such an ample endowment your immediate
attention should BIZ directed To the establishment Of
a seminary Of learning upon large and liberal
scale, III which both sexes may receive finished
| education. The annual receipts Of the interest on
this fund, with perhaps some bttle aid drawn either
from the principal some other source, would pro-
| baby be sufficient to construct the buildings, and
after their completion, the interest may bic the
State to deiray all the expenses Of such all nstitu-
| ton.
The time seems to have arrived when YOU NAV
properly act upon tins Snbfcti and would suggest
that five or more commissioners be appointed by
your body, whose duty it shall be to select proper
site; the location may be made by the Legislature
at the present session. leaving the commissioners To
act and exercise general supervisory control over
the whole subject under such directions as you may
| give
| ADMISSION OF THE CHIcKAsAw MEMBERS.
The attendance of delegates from the countie,
created by the Legislature at its present session
elected by virtue of wrIts of election issued by the
Board OF Police, as members TO the House OF Re-
representatives., presented the delicate and important
question, whether, if their right of admission as
members was acquiesced in by both branches, il
would not destroy the constitutional organization o
your body, and as a consequence render the whole
of your actions null and VOID.
II in view of all these difficulties, as well al
from the sl higher Obligations ci conviction tina
no vacancy had happened which authorized me II
issue writs of election for from IN,