Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1840-06-09

ventlon can control or limit the action
Of future Convention. IL such
principle was admitted, then the Con-
vention which declared that the future
sessions of the Legislature should be
held IN the town of Jackson, "till 1861
could have determined that they should
be held there for hundred, or thou
sand years. Such an idea would be
preposterous.
All who understand the theory of
our government, will admit, that one
Convention can alter, amend, or abol-
isb, the proceedings of previous Con-
ventions. 1t is an undeniable axiom
Of all free governments.
Any future Convention, therefore,
can, at pleasure, and when they think
proper, change the seat of government
of Mississippi.
| have heard it urged as an object
ion, that it would work an injustice to
those who purchased lots, after the
constitutional provision, that the seat
of government should remain at jack
son, until 1850. I answer that the
people of Mississippi are not to be sub
| iect to tribute, and the highest inter
ests of the State suffered to lie pros
trate, because a few persons thought
proper to speculate on public opinion.
1t was, virtually, specializing on the
subject, whether public opinion would
continue as il then was, till 1850. An
act Of legislative body, or convention
is the declaration of the opinion of the
people, through their representatives,
at its passage, ofwhat they deem public
policy in relation the subject legislateC
on. The public opinion may change
: in one year.
1t is legal principle, founded il
! wisdom, that no man can plead igno
t rance of the law. 1t would be les
pardonabIe for a citizen ofthe republic
: to plead ignorance of the principle
= and genius of the government unde
which he lives.
A man, therefore, who purchase
lots at Jackson, must have known
y that the whole action ofthe Convention
: Of 1882, was subject to be changed o
= recinded by the action of any fntur
Convention. Every man who pur
d chased there, must have understoo
=, that he purchased subject to such
: contingency. twas too plain aprinci
e pie to be misunderstood, and if he di
# misunderstood, information could hlv
n been impaired by almost any man
u common sense in the land. Ignoranc
n is no excuse. Butt one can belieV
d that those who purchased, were ignC
rant of one Of the fundamental prime
h pies which lies at the foundation of a
d free governments.
IS This groundless excuse of injushC
ii to purchasers, is not sufficient caus
in why the freemen of middle and upp'
of Mississippi, should longer submit to
privation of their rights as ireemer
,e and should be further subjected to tt
II great inconvenience and excessive e
" pense of time and money, which arts
,e from the present position ofthe seat
It. government.
ID 1t is noreason why the State shou
Id be deprived of the highest order
talent, which can be found in any pr
nj ofthe State, for the discharge of t
N. duties Of its highest offices. 1t
d. amongst the most odious features
d. hibited by the present location OF
on seat of government, that it amounts
,rv a prohibition from the high offices
Ia the state, Of the citizens OF the n
counties: And, l may add that t
he prohibition extends to every portion
ip- old Mississippi, where the people
in blessed with a reasonably healthy
Use mosphere. !.
md Bv the 31st section ofthe Sd Arti
nd Of the Constitution, {"The Govern
Secretary Of State, Treasurer, AUDI
der of Public Accounts, and Attorl
the General, shall reside at the seat
en- government" The same Convent
NIT then who attempted to fasten down
new seat Of government at jackson, m
we'd this provision, that all the high offlc
xis- ofState should reside there. ltamol
ind in effect, TO an absolute exclusion II
not those high offices, ofthose who wer
nh soon to inhabit the Choctaw and Vi
/ as asaw counties. 1t is an undenl'
orr truth, that it endangers the lille OF
man, to reside at Jackson during
80 summer and fall months unless b
80 a citizen of a small belt OF countr
;n ,,a lower Mississippi, the people OF w
&c 49, are Injured to such an atmosphere
! ho The middle and upper countle
U5o the state, exhibiting high and hea
49, .bot region, the citizens of that secho
o country, as we'll as the good pc
'e ~ who inhabit the healthful portion 0
loca- Mississippi, are as virtually ProhlI
, from their participation in the ofilc
i - honor and profit above speclhed'
- they were excluded by an exI
: has constitutional provision Unle
now man may occasionally be found II
region Of country, whose neces
impel him to peril his life IN the
'PPn riment.
e on fundamental principle Of GU