The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-10-11
SAML GALLOWAY,
Superintendent of Common Schools.
From the Ohio Statesman.


No one cause of legislation, no matter in what.
ever manner conducted, presents a surer obstruc-
ton TO the general advancement of people, than
that of Especial Legislation" 1t will meet the
demands of those for whom it is intended, howev-
er unjustly it bears upon others. 1t will deny
nothing its favorites ask. The legislation of a
State is as free The people it controls; at least
that always should be the case They enjoy, in
the halls of their capitol, the same degree ofliberty
as elsewhere. The mass are represented in our
State Legislature, yet there exists party most
nfamousIy corrupt, but no less powerful, who are
governed solely by motives of self interest They
legislae not for the people, the legitimate sover-
eigns-not for the interest or the honor of the
State-not for the encouragement of Learning, and
the promotion ofthe arts and sciences-not for tn e
cause Of ofsuffering humanity, or for the extensive
diffusion of the true principles of government
but wholly and entirely, for themselves! They
have, by their special privileges, exempted the
proud and wealthy bankite from an equal share of
taxation, notwithstanding his profits are an hun
dred times greater than that of the toiling day la
privileges upon their adherents and supporters, by
which process they reap the reward of wealth; and
when the hour of settlement arrives-when the
honest and deluded, the crushed and ruined people,
find they have been seduced by the promises of
dealers in paper money, these bankers, who SOL
emnly repose upon the majesty Of la,o. turn grave
ly to the statute book and say seek redress there
"We have swlnded you, and there is no punish
ment for US. By the special law OF Ohio, fellow
citizens, We are not liable for our debts. You
must amend your statutes, before you ask gentle
men bankers to meet their promises to pay -
That is the language the people of Ohio will hear
before many years have passed away. When will
they learn wisdom?
This manner of egislating for one class of men
at the expense of all others, must speedily be stop
ped or our on ward strides to future greatness will
be hopelessly Impeded. General legislation, alike
to ALL is our only sure method of arriving at that
position, when all shall be contented, prosperous,
and happy There is great moral necessity rest
ing upon us all to adopt this principle Of action.
Political virtue must perish where special legsla-
ton rules! The people must be fully represented,
and their interests specially protected liberty is
lost, and tyranny will reign in its stead. All laws
not founded upon the strict principles of justice,
are but the tricks of ambition to defraud mankind;
and those most active to usurp power, will even
claim to be governed by love of virtue and all
that is right. But we know OF no other criterion
by which man is to be judged, than by his actions,
which speak ih tone not to be misunderstood
We have seen the result of their measures, and we
know what willbe the consequence of their opera
tions in future.
The great precept Of nature is, that every man
shall be leftfree to pursue his substantial hap
piness; but this fundamental principle of human
action, vouchedsafed to man by the creator OF the
world, can never be successfully followed until the
whole people shall be alike protected in their
rights. That man who labors for the "greatest
good Of the greatest NUMBER" is the friend of all
human rghts--the incorporating foe to every
species of especial privileges"
voX PoPULI.