Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1841-03-24
From the True Issue.

we pfOulSSu III OUT idSts 10 commune the
discussion of this question. By our readers
leave, we now resume it. Upon recurring to
the last paper, it will be found, that we propos-
ed to argue gravely, the very Iaughable propo-
sition, that Pospetrity was bound to take our
property and frame of Government, with the
burthens, 'cumOneve," ss the lawyers say
which we impose, or else thatltheyiw ergDotien-
titled to the use oithem at all but should suYren-
der them to our creditors. We beg our rea.
ders pardon, for promising to argue so plain
proposition, but as we have done so, and as
the Governor gravely maintains the reverse
in his message: we hope to be excused:-'sSo
here at ye." A community or Stale, is
collection of individuals, who for their mutu-
al welfare and protection, have united them
selves into one body, agreeing 10 abide by
all laws, and to perform all obligations, which
a majority may impose.
| BY the laws of society, as well as by the
dictates of reason and nature, whatever a
man acquires by his labor or skill, ne has a
right to dispose of, (thls principle being re-
cognlzed) in process of time--men began to
give one another credit, upon the taith of the
| property they possessed. At the death of an
Individual. his relations, or nearest of him, in
fiuenced by the ties of affection and natural
regard, would most likely be present, and
of course would take into possession the pro
perty, whether moveables or immoveables
which the deceased had acquired. But in
asmuch as these goods had been acquired by thu
labor and skill of the deceased who had been al
ded in the acquisition kof Them by the credi
which others had given him and as part perhap:
the whole, of the goods OF the deceased hat
been accumulated through the means thu
borrowed, and by the capital of others, nat
ura Justice dictated, that the creditor or len.
der should receive IN payment Of his advaR-
ces out Of the goods of the deceased in pre-.
ference to those who had no other claim up,
ON them, than a relationship to the deceas.
/ ed, and the being present at the time of his
death. we find that human laws
based IN this instance, upon the dictates o
L natural justice and equity. have declared thai
la man, and next of kin, or nearest relations
Ishall inherit his property, but as the proper
ty has been acquired through facilities, whicl
others afforded, they have declared further
that all debts of the decedent shall form ;
lien or charge upon the property subject t.
which burthens, the heir shall take it. Every
one admits the equity=-ail acknowledge the
iustIce of the foregoing provisions of the law
nor would any one contend that they should
no altered. A State, as before remarked ]:
, Int a collection of individuals. The race o
. men now in existence, the generation nov
alive, are actively and busy, each and every
one, endeaToring to accumulate wealth, t.
establish wholesome and benignshd laws ant
! to frame Government, which may extend a
many blessings, and entail Is few evils as pos
sible, upon the community. The citizens o
Mississippi have united in State, for thei
mutual strength and protection hey OF couFs'
had more credit, and were entitled to more
as collective body, with the propeTy, industry
and talents of the whole collectively applied
than any one or all, could have had in their in
dividual Capacity With this knowledge u2o1
their mart. to aid them in the fuFfherafICe o
their designs, and to promote the general vel
fare. they borrowed money and contractet
ldebts, pIedging the faith of the State for theI
payment, and giving hen upon the Propert.
of all, for the performance OF the oblIgahc on
The money thus borrowed, has been used ]!
adding to- the general wealth of the State. !
has enabled each individual to enlarge his pos
sessions, to- increas the number Of his slaves I
purchase large quantity of lahds to build ad
ditional houses, and in every respect, TO bette
} his condition. 1t has also enabled the stat
to make rivers more havigable, to build rail
roads for transportation ofprCduce, and IA varl
Gus other modes to add greatly to the conven
Eiencet prosperity and safety of the whole soc'
! esy. When this generation shall have passes
away, their pOsferity viii inherit Their wealth
become possessors of their property, and haV'
the full and undisturbed enjoyment and use
an that the talents, the labor. the industry am
credit of the race Of men now IN existence IA
, heen able to achieve. Now it is admitted ina
the heir of each individual, is justly and eqlna
bIv bound to pay off and discharge the debt
vkak fl,e ancestor owes, before he.shail maxi
nse "A what the labor, credit and industry
fhaf ancestor has accumulated and most sure
+. the iuheritors of the wealth. laws and gov
ernmeut Of the whole number collectively. o
ftho State, that Is posferftys are bound Q,
The same lies and for the same reasons. Z
discharge and pay of The Obligations vino
the State has incurred, before they shout
rosaxs use of that which the credit, industry
and talents, Of the State gas Accumulated an
arnassed.
RI Rut the idea. that the.Sfate has no right e
Econtract debts to be paid in futufes or BY pos
! teritvs as Che loco-focoss say proceed upon th
false assumption, that there is deEnIse o. &c
cease Of the state. This is not the case how
ever. The political body OF the State. Is ve
nv much like the body Ofman, inwhich ther