Liberty advocate. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1835-1866, 1839-01-24

We intended to offer some remarks on that portio
of the Governors Message which is published to-day
but the following article from the Natchc2 Courier, s
| fully meets our views, that we adopt it entire -
| Gov. MCNUTT AND HIS DISoRGANIzING TENETs
We were sorry to see the sentiments expressed
in Gov. McNutt's Message in relation to the
repeal of corporation charters. They are the
same, sentiments which were advocated by the
ocoloco party in Pennsylvania and which re-
ceivcd their quietus in that State by vote Of its
late Convention TO revise the Constitution
Charters are and have ever been considered
contracts between the State and The corpora
tors as parties, by which the former accords and
lcgaIizes certain specified powers and privileges
IN consideration Of benefits which the communi-
ty are supposed 10 derive from the operations of
the latter. 1t Is voluntary act upon either
side. The State offers certain inducements and
conditions whichare accepted by such indivdu-
ais only as approve of them; and when so ac-
cepted, either with bonus or without it, the
bargain is complete. 1t is a contract equally
binding upon both parties and no political So
phlstry can make it appear otherwise; and it
must run to maturity, like all other contracts,
unless forfeited by q noncompliance with the
or by The corporators exceeding their
powers and abusing their privileges; and this
can only be determined by the appropriate tri-
Dunal-the judiciary, with whose province the
Governor and Legislature have no more right |
o interfere than has the MOB
Governor NcNutt, might as we'll contend that
! subsequent legislature can revoke the obiga-
ion to pay the STATE BONDS, or commit any
ther breach of solemn faith, as that one legis-
AZURE can annul charters granted by another,
r rather by previous session,-for it must be
orne in mind that the legislature is perpetual
ody. The TACT OF its changing its members
oes not interfere with its perpetuity; it is The
gislature still and although it may repeal its
wn acts at pleasure, wherever there is no S
Their party TO them, it cannot, without a mani. =
Isl breach good faith, annul any agreement
makes with individuals, without their con |,
ent. This truth is too palpable TO need an
leborate argument in its support; and we are
lrprlSed that the Governor should risk his rep
tation as 4 lawyer and statesman by such a
'eble attempt which does no credit to his un-
erstandng and laIsiies his professions of res
ect for law and good faith.
Ii any Of the corporations of this State have r
rlelted their charters, by any sort OF misuser, G
the detrment ofthe public veal, why, let the Ii
rieiture be proved before the proper tribunal, !
I'd let their charters be annulled, by all means. t
Ut we cannot be too careful, while.wc condemn 7
legal acts in others, TO abide closely by the ,
tter OF the law ourselves. If individuals or
orporate bodies deserve punishment, let it be
one legally or we commit a greater evil than
let them gounpunshed; ifa rich man commit S
lurder and the legislature order him hanged, {
ecause there is reason to fear he may corrupt
ne Judge and jury, the members ofthe Legisla- 4
Ire are not less murderers than he, besides {
eng serious offenders against the laws of {
rider and good government. The Governors
rgument that corporations cannot be reached {
the laws is parallel case to this, and an in
lltupon the'integrity ofouri courts and people.
he position he takes in regard TO this matter
dlsorganising and revolutionary throughout
nd, we trust, will meet with no favor from the
'gislalure of Mississippi {