Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1838-01-23

20 contracts entered into by banks, a:
individuals. Any law postponing the
collection of debts, or changing the re-.
medy, SO as to hasten or deIay the col.
lection of existing liabilities, would
impair contracts, and never will re.
celve my approval.
Apart from the constitutional obiec.
tons, consider it both unwise and nm.
safe to tamper with the law of con.
tracts, at aperiod of great pecuniarv
embarl assment. 1t has a tendency ia
destroy confidence, and make the Gre
dItor more anxious to enforce the coll
lection of his demands; the means of
debtors are thus often absorbed in the
costs and expenses of litigation, to the
great injury of both parties. A spirit
OF fOrbearance and accommodation
will soon extrcate the country from its
present embarrassments; and nothing
would tend so much to bring about this
desirable result, as a fixed determine
tion to preserve the hitherto unsulIied
character Of the State, and to make no
attempt to legislate the people out of
debt.
Let those who complain SO loudly of
the pressure, produce more, buy less,
and look to themselves instead of gov
eminent, for relief. Times will soon
get better. and the country become
flourishing and prosperous.
The wise and energetic measures of
the late Administration, caused the In
dams to cede their possessive right to
all the lands they occupied in this state,
Most of them have already removed.
and the others will soon follow. This
has caused our state to populate with
great rapidity, and as every portion of
our territory and population is now
fairly represented in both branches of
the Legislature, the period is auspici-
Gus for the commencement of an ex.
banded system of internal improve
ment. Nearly every portion of the
State is intersected with rivers, which,
at little expense, could be made naviga-
BILE. Clearing out rivers, and making
good roads, enhances the value of land
increases the revenue and resources
of the State-prometes social and
profitable intercourse-and prevents
sectional jealousies.
Situated as we are, in relation to our
domestic institutions, we'll organized
Militia is indispensable to our safety.-
A commendable spirit exists in manv
parts Ofthe State. Volunteer Compa-
MES are organized, equipped and disci-
plined, and will be our surest reliance
in the hour of danger. Twenty-tkfee
years ago this day, the volunteers of
our then infant Territory, combatted
successfully the discip lined legions of
Britain, on the Plains Of New Orleans,
and received the public commentator
of the gallant chieftain, whose services,
civil and military, have conferred last
ing benefits on this State, and whose
name will always be held in respect
and veneration by her sons.
The disorganizatiOn of the Militia has
partly arisen from the frequency of
designations; to correct this abuse, l
will not accept the resignation of any
officer, unless satisfactory reason be
assigned; and will, so far as my other
engagements permit, review the vari-
GUS regiments, and hold every officer
to strict discharge of his duty.
Our constitution recognizes in its
fullest extent, equality of rights and
equality Of privileges; every citizen is
eligible to Office, and has the right Of
voting for every officer of the govern
ment. This renders it essential that
all should be Acknowledgements is
the main pillar of despotism; an en-
people cannever be enslaved.
BY the establishment of universities of
learning, at eligible points, and free
schools in every township, the advan-
tages of education will be accessible to
the avenues to honor, wealth
and fame opened to the children of pc
nury as well as those of affiueuce.
Our State Justly labors under the
imputation of great laxity in the exc
cution of her penal laws: acts of law
less violence are often committed with
impunity, and ebullilions of popular
feeling have occasionally interrupted
the course of Justice. The erection of
a penitentiary will secure the prompt
execution of the law. Being firmly
persuaded, that under the existing state
of our laws, and the feelings Of socie-
ty, culprits are rarely uniustly convict
ed; / Shall let the law take its course,
and not interpose the Executive Gle
mency, except in extraordinary cases.
Examples should be made, and the ma
L. 49, ,;,.l;oofad The