Litchfield enquirer., 1842-01-20
MASSACHUSETTS,.


 presents in a felicitouS manner the happy condition of Massachusetts as compared with some of her sister States. We cannot for bear quoting it in full.
 "The march ot Massachusetts has been with firm, unfaltering step. Through all her trials aud sutferings she has taken no de- vitpuS course avoided no responsibility made no terms with the encroachments ot power but for more than two centuries the character of her people has been signalized by a bold and manly support of the princi- pies which were thus early espoused in ta- vor of popular rights. It would not become her to indulge in the language Of self-gratu- IatiUn, for her works afford better evidence of her success and the wisdom ot her coun- cils. It would however 6e no derOgation from true dignity to look abroad among the sister States fthe Union, and inquire Wheth- CT any have acquired the great ends ot free Government in a more eminent degree, by making better, more prosperous, or hap pier people.
 Popular strength and power is most invig- orated and nude most efficient, by increus- ing popular intelligence and promoting sound morals. And where shall we look for more permanent and liberal provision for moral aud intellectual Improvements Where shall we find the virtues of sobricty, industry and honesty more sedulous!y cultl- valed?
 If we look for q people more free, or in the l enjoyment of higher privileges, or more 1 faithfully protected in their persons and l property against violence and wrongs, where 1 are they to be found The knife and the | rife are not raised to menace the lives of our citizens in the streets, nor are they murder ed by the decrees of sclt-conslituted tribu- nals, usurping the high preroga,ive of ad- ministering justice. If we open our statute books (which are by no means faullless,) where shall we find more proofs Legislative wisdom than adorn their pages, or stronger evidence ot devo- ted attachment to the welfare of the people and the maintenance of equal and just laws? We find there no stop-laws forbidding the collection of honest debts; no suspension acts rendering the administration of justice nor any provisions makiIg property sub- stitute for money and tender for the pay ment of debts.
 If we examine our mOnied institutions, we do not find the Commonwealth borrowing to become stockholder, nor the institutions themselves entangled in inextricable embar- rassments, and forfeiting public confidence by refusing to fulfil their obligations; but they perform the duties exacted of them, by steadily fulfilling their promises. Ifany are unfaithful to their trust or violate their du- ties, they are arrested in their career and denied the power further to impose upon the public.
 If we investigate the condition of such pub- lie works as the Commonwealth has encour. aged, we learn that, instead of being left in a useless, unfinished condition, to fall into decay, they are all in active operation, ful. filling the purposes for which they were de. signed, and thus reimbursing the outlay i; while other communities, by improvident Legislation, have overwhelmed themselves with debt, impaired their credit, and some, at least, seen to be searching for apologies to violate their plighted faith. Under these severe trials which distract and derange the affairs of the whole country, this Common wealth stands unmoved; maintaining her
 ishing no cause fo distrSesiis dt seishsa i intentions or that lofty integrity which will never for. sake her, till the character of her people change. She has incurred liabilities, wheih- CT wisely or unwisely, events will soon de. termine; but such is the provision made for them, and the amount is so limited and so within her control, that we have the best reason for believing, that in no contingency will any serious burden or inconvenience fall upon the people, and that, happen what may. her faith will not be broken, or her promises forfeited. Let others do what they may. Massachusetts will never tarnish her escutcheon and dishonor her name, by acts which she would censure as immoral and un just in an individual. ,..
 So long as we can bring our public aff;,irs to the test ot a comparison in which we find so little to regret and so much to commend. the policy which produces such results can not fail to command the respect of the patri- ot, and the sincere friend of popular Govern ment. .. .......r-
 We owe it mostly to the wise legislation emanatng from large body of intelligent, independent citizens, assembled annually in these halls ;-Who bring with them a strong impress of public feeling, and in their acts aim to give impression to the public will. It is our happy lot to be exempt from those cor rupting influences which insinuate them- selves into legislative bodies, where State assumes upon itself the execution and man. agement ofpublic works, or adopts the poli- cy of becoming a chief instrument to ac complish such objects. Where such course has been pursued. we see how selfish feel ings and local interests have been employed in sacrificing the public good. y#f
 While we have thus many causes of thank. fulness and reorganization for the multiplied comforts and enioyments which surround us' we nave not been exempt from bereave- ment.
 At the last session, the public mind was buoyant with hope, looking forward to the tulfiiment of its wishes, to a wise and faith tul administration of the National Govern ment, by the distinguished patriot who had just entered upon the discharge of ;ho high duties of Chief Magistrate. He had been in. vled to that station by great majority of tne people, who reposed the greatest cOnfi-