Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1842-12-07

Where the government is purely despotic,
Is true that the will of the sovereign is no
controlled by any rule of action, but such a
may be dictated by the selfshness or capric
lot his own unconstrained will.
The purposes of his government are con
stan,ly fuctuating. There is no security G
Iperson, of property, or of rights, as be,wee
individual and individual. or Between ind;vid
uals and the government. In a despotisn
the law is the will Of the sovereign, and III
perfection of this form of government con
sIsts in the power Of the SO. ereIgn to alter
change, modify and subvert every rule of ac
ton at his pleasure. To establish the princi
pie that the Legislature cannot enter into
contract which will be obligatory, and which
can be impaired by subsequent; legislation. i
asserting the self same principle which in
heres in every form of government purel
despotIc. Our constitutional forms of gov
eminent. having their origin In the sovereign
will of the people, were established for tn.
very purpose of avoiding these evils. The
Immutable laws Of justice impose equal obi
cations on States and individuals, and an.
infractlon of these principles is alike subver
sive OF sound morality and good government
But while we deprecate actual reputation
lei US beware OF that silent repudlation, which
avoiding the direct act, produces the same
result. Our embarrassments at home, grow
ing out OF our treasury notes, must necessa-
rIly prevent US, until they redeemed, from
doing what duty requires at our hands. Blu
We should never lose sight of our liabilities
nor seek to avoid, either directly or indirect
lv. the demands of Justice.
/ No official account has been received O
the progress which has been made in the pros
ecutlon of the Wabash and Erie Canal, Yves
OF Lafayette. 1t is understood, however
a a e tt,o -, -
put under contract. Some apprehension wa.
felt lest the Scrip issued pursuant to the Law
authorizing the ontlnualIoa of the cana
would not answer the desired end but it il
believed that the public spirit of the citizens
OF that portion Of the Wabash valley interes
ted IN the work has prevented any serious
difficulty or embarrassment.
1t will be remembered that, at the last ses
sion OF the Legislature, two acts were pass
ed, one Incorporating the White Water Val
ley Canal Company, and the other providing
tor letting the public works TO companies
Under the former act, company has beer
organized, and has taken possession of tn.
| White Water Canal. Under the latter act
one company has been organized for the con
tinuaton of The Madison and indianapoll
Railroad. These companies do not report t.
the Executive, and no certain Information i
it is understood that the works are prosecu-
ted with energy and spirit, and strong hope
are entertaInd Of a successful termination.
| There is subject which the Constitution
has most wisely and appropriately confidee
TO legislative control and supervision, and t
which cannot 100 earnestly invite your at
tention allude to the establishment ant
support of system of common schools
Perhaps no theme in all the wide range o
discussion has been more deliberately discuss
ed than this, and perhaps there is no question
of policy about the leading features OF which
there exists such general unanimty; and yet
strange TO say, no good work has been NOR
sadly neglected. The proper education o
our youth appeals TO every energy whicl
patriotism. philanthropy. morals and religion
can put forth IN its behalf. AS the founda-
ton on which all Of our present and tutur
political security rests as question OF indl
vidual happiness as the shield of our nation
al purity and morality, it is beyond and abov
all others ia magnitude and importance
Properly and thoroughly dispensed, there ca
be no doubt but the administration OF our re
publican form Of government would aboun
in all the advantages, with but few OF til
evils. OF such system, while lis existenc
would be perpetual. The occasional out
break of lawless faction the ephemeral rise
and dangerous influence OF Inc oehIaSoSue
the instability OF leading measures OF SCUM
policy the barter and traffic Of selfish legs
laton-each of these evils which, 1t must 3
conceded have exercised, to some extent.
degrading and corrupting influence on on
happy form of government, would, In tn
event Of thorough system of education
give wav to an almost universal obdience I
the commands of the law, the elevation c
public purity and patriotism. and sta BILE an
honorable legislation. The sum OF huma
happiness would thus be intellectually IN
creased, as the mind Is capable OF lncalcula
bic Improvement. | mem tina; system
educa ton. and 1t is the only kind to be tolera
ted, which is inseparably blended with tn
incubation of correct moral principles.
In presenting these considerations TO IN