Democratic banner., 1846-11-30
LOUISIANA, MISSUU RI.
MONDAY. NOVEMBER %Gtn.

Thu Governors message will BE- ioant
IN our paper to-day. Because il is prcs,.l,,
Cd to shadow forth the Opinions, and til,
policy of the chief magistrate Of the State.
We have given it, 10 the exclusion of edito-
nal as well as other matter. We wcul,!
fsk ior 1t an attentive perusal. Every good
citizcn should endcavor to divcSt his mind.
If either prediction or prejudice, and thcn
lead it with the view of understanding it.
We have as UT given it, but a curscry re
rusal, and frolA that TASTY reading. VIZ shall
COW speak OF it. We decidedly approve
Of tho clause which recommends the repeal
If the act passed at the last session of tie
Legislature, for the distribution CT tic five
hundred thousand acres of public lands
grantedthe State, among the several counties
share and share alike. The act is 50 une-
quail and unjust in its bearing, that we can
only wonder. how a just and intelligent.
Legislature could ever have voted for it.
But now that it Is the law of the land, we
think it the duty Of every friend tojusticc,
to vote for its immediate repeal.
We also approve of the clause which re-
commends an entire change of our malitia
system. The system as at present organ
lied is only Ga subject of ridicule and
burlesquc," "calculated to bring every ef-
fort to discipline the MALTA of the State
into utter contempt" We trust that our
representatives, will either urge a radical
change in its present organization, Or a to-
tai repeal of the system.
We arc also pleased to see, tl.at the Gov
ernor urges upon the attention of the Leg
l%slature, the improvement of our common
school system. A system, which In its de-
tails is so complicated, that it is understood
only BY a few, and is of but little practical
benefit 10 the State. And surely no ques.
ton can be of greater importance to the
State than the education of her people, for
II we would preserve our liberties unim-
paired, we must educate the rising genera
ton, A people must understand, ere they
will appreciate tl,cir immunities; and they
must appreciate, ere they will defend them
General intelligence, in the language Of the
gifted Burke, is the clicf defence OF a ma
ton. 1t stands dramatically opposed to
every thing like oppression, and forms an
lmpenetrable bulwark, in defence of free
dom. Let any people but know their rights,
"and knowing, they will dare maintain
them. But let that people become igno-
rant, immoral and vicious; and they will be-
come the tools, with which ambition will
rig the grave of their liberties, and ~cntomb
fIcir glory. !
The subject of improving the navigation
OF our great rivers, is one of Importance,
and should attract the attention of our rep
reScntatives. 1t seems to us. that tkc i'm
pending trees might be removed with but
a small cost, compared with that, of re-
moving the snags, from the bed OF the river.
The plan of dredging the river is new TO
ns, but would no doubt, if executed in low
water, greatly improve its navigation. IT.,
is at least worthy of consideration. !,
There are many other important subjects
touched upon in the message, which we have
now I'd room to notice. But the idea Of
compelling a man TO ask lis wife, whether
she will allow him the privilege O. beeon"
ing his neighbor's security for a few bits,
seems to us not only norrl, but ridiculous
II at a sale of property, a man should be-.
asked to become his neighbours security for :,
five dollars, he must not be allowed tie -.
privilege of exercising his own iu@...ent, r
but must be compelled 20 get c ils horse :
and ride 10 miles for the consent ofhis rife.
Oh fie! fie! the Governor would turn our =
democracy INTO a complete Jinnc- T
crocracy. Thank our stars we've got no /
to ask. The Governor may influence :,
the Legislature, to pass a law, to compel y
us to ask our Swcct-hcalt, bat w.'W inst cf =
lie dORt.
1EI,o Ooa~-,o - H. N.. =