Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1845-02-05

ANh' WV iNNN VI luoi hNluslbuS We llh
determine the trendIngs of future reform
When Il miner sinks his shaft and strikes
a productive vein of ore, il is bis practice
first 10 follow il so far as 10 observe lis
leading direction: then, emerging to the
surface, with that observation for his guide,
he sinks, at remote distances, other shafts,
confident that he will again arrive at the
object of his search. So with the rich and
hidden odes that stretch away into the
great mine of Progressive Improvement.
Guided by an observation OF their past
course, we may predict where an after &C.
neraiion will find them
But the principle of progress In egisla-
ton has hitherto been from the more 70
the less. II we compare the statutes and
constitutions of Republican America with
The laws Of Monarchical Europe, il may
surprise us to discover how much Of the
difference between them consists in
omissions. And Of the after. thought OF
Revolutionary law giyers--of the thirteen
articles that form the amendments TO the
Federal constitutlon--nine,a at least, are OF
a negative or restrictive characters; cir
cumscribing, within narrower limits. the
\ province OF legislation. Soin older coun
tries and in former ages. All tho impor-
tant provisions of Magma Charta are pro.
hibitory. A freeman shall not lose pro-
perty or life by the manarch's decision
a traveller shall not be prevented from
leaving the kingdom ar returning to il at
pleasure; the kings servants shall not ar
biirarily seize the property of his subjects.
Even the minor privileges secured at Run
nemede are Of similar stamp; as witness
one characteristic of those times, namely,
that a baron's widow shall not be compel.
led to marry, if she prefer to remain sin
gle. So, again, of the Habeas Corpus Act,
called by Blackstone that second Magma
Charta and stable buwark of liberty" Of
which the provision is, in substance, that u
man shall not be confined in prison on
mere suspicion. All of these were rude
efforts TO narrow down the sphere Of go
yernmeni. And still, even in later years,
the same principle prevails. Throughout
Europe-but especially in England, that
haIf-llberal mother Of Repubcs--religon
and the press have for centuries been
struggling against the interference of law;
with partial, bat positive success. And
commerce, if at some distance, has been
gradually following their footsteps. All
proceed in one direction; all tend 10 one
goal.
From such facts The inference is, that in
our Republic, as elsewhere, we shall gra-
dually govern less; that the province Of
our federal Legislation will contract as ter
ritory expands. If it docs-and that it
will the past may vouch--safely, yes, most
beneficially may this Union and its bes-
sings spread over the entire continent Of
North America; each Independent State
secure in lis own separate sovereignty, and
but increasing by lis accession, the wealth,
the power, and the safety Of the Great
Conlederacy.
! shallnotce yet another objection. It
is, that annexation brings, in its train, the
scourge Of war; while, by refusing TO an
mex, we obtain, surely and permanently,
The blessings Of peace. Let US silt this
matter little.
Two paths are open before Us. The
one 10 declare, as most righteously we
may, the legal Independence of Texas; TO
act boldly on that declaration 10 accept
what not government in Europe, il ST.
milarIy situated, would dream Of refusing,
the proposition twice already made TO US,
that we should receive again Texas with.
in our borders; and then---as all men and
all nations must, be their conducI ever so
scrupulous--to abide the consequences
The oiher--ah, Mat, we shall be told, is
the path Of safety and Of peace! Al its
entrance, it may be; many path Of dan.
ger and Of death has fair and pleasant
entrance. Let US look to the end. Say
that we reject Texas, and leave her and
Mexico to settle their quarrel. Very well.
BY so doing, we socthe the insolence Of
Mexico, and quiet the jealousy of Eng.
land. This is satisfactory. England makes
a free trade treaty with Texas: extending
over that republic (as tho phrase is) her
"Protectorate." Let that passl Mexico
relieved from all apprehensions of war
with us, proceeds to carry into effect the
inhuman threats she has made against our
Texan neighbors. Is that 10 pass, tool
Before we enter this same path of peace,
let us look little in advance, and settle
which is our way out, Mexico has formal
| y, publicly, officially warned the Texans
to eyacuate their country; aud declares,
that if they refuse, every one who shall be
guilty Of the crime Of being found any.
where in Texas, three miles from her
western frontier, shall be pu, to death. is
that, in this nineteenth century, incredibel
II is true. Witness the orders Of Gen'l
VOL, as officially communicated by our
Secretary Of State, carrying out the proyi-
sions Of Santa Annals decree or June II;
a decree, wh.ch lorLids all quarter 10 the
r. .r.If.. r.....If.. A.. Al.