Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1849-10-24

should be alteredio crafty lhespeculiar
iasies;nf. a few malcoD:enls. dritoSsuit the
Tanciful whims Of a misl.d faction: The
law maker should be allowed to exercise
his o,0n wisdom and Judgment. And he
should always have bYhim his criterons
Of iudicious legislaion-yiz bis constitu
lion, and an ample fund Of sound, practical
knowledge suited to the nature of his
duties. From proper use of these he
will, in general, be enabled 10 judge Of the
cxp.diency and efficacy Of laws; for laws,
like any other rules of human conduct,
have their practical tests. BY which their
effect or tendency may he judged.
That is good law. says an eminent
Philosopher" (which is ~ clear and GER
tain 10 It's sense-(2) just in its command
10y commodions in the execution-C4)
agreeable 10 the consllution-and (5) pro-.
dnctive of virtue in the subject" Any
importan, failure in law to fulfill these
acquisitions may provoke the idea Of
change; but il would certainly be unwse
TO repeal law. proper in itself, merely
because some slight Inconvenience may
attend lis working. Ii would be folly 10
attempt 10 reform every abuse or inconve-
nience in society. In the present state of
human imperIection this is utterly unat-
,ainahle. Shall the Legislator, therefore,
undertake 10 repeal laws, which for years
havo worked well, simply for the purpose
oflrying 10 introduce beller, or TO secure
some imaginary good? These arc nice
points fora'him TO, weigh. They require
marured judgmebrsand5 5discretion.
Many wise men have maintained,
"that ancient la,os ,ohich are goud, are
preferable to new ones though better. II
And history seems to favor this notion.
The laws of Sparta were, in many respects,
highly inconvenient and rigid; yet Sparta
was prosperous aud powerful, and fell
only when these laws were changed. So
of the Republic Of Carthage. and so Of
Crete under The wise laws and Institute ns
Of Muos. The twelve Tahles Of Rome
were not only severe. but terrible: yet du-
ring their existence Romergrew in pow er
and prosperity. aud sunk into despotism
and decay. after innovation had made Sc.
rious iuroads upon these plain laws.
The above remark is founded, also,
upon correct principle of human nature.
Laws generally produce happiness and
prosperity, when they are cheerfully obey.
ed; and minds properly lulored are always
inclined TO esteem The laws and customs OF
their ancestors. There is, perhaps. no
quality oflhe human heart more striking
in lis effects han This. We inslinc,ively y
look hack TO the days Of our Fathers for
all that is bu!yin principle and revered in
wisdom. Legislators have been well
aware Of this principle in human nature,
aud found il necessary in establishing new
laws, through want Of this ancestral feel
ing, to refer their laws to Divine origin.
The lessonSwas first taughtlo Moses on
The Mount of Sinai. aud afterwards put in
practice by Minos, Lycureus, Scion, Ro-
muus, Mahomed and others.
When we fIrther copsider the great
difficulty of bringing ne,u laws into prac,
tical operation, andl danger Of repeated
changes. anarchcal in their tendency,
from want Of deep, abiding respec. for
existing laws-liule douhl eau exist as 10
the truth and wisdom Of Aris,otIe's remark.
The laws, then. in successful operation,
aud answering very well the legitimate
ends Of society, should be reluctantly given
up, even when. on prospective view, a
greater good may be expected by The
change. AS generul rule il is wise to
lei 'relL alone. Ii laws be just and equal,
the great ends for which they are Instituted
have been auaincd; for "jusice is the
fundamental virtue Of political society and
laws are instituted 10 declare wha, is jus,.," +
Secondly, as to rcform in lettering pub
lie opinion, or the morals OF people. To
direct his attention 10 these objects is The
high duty as well of The political, as of The
moral refofmer. The first means to be
used. is moral suasion; and then, lesisla-
live enactment. The legislation Of coun-
try has dircct and immediate influence
upon the morals and manners of people.
One great writer I says. "La,os operate as
practical principles O. fmordl action" And
another i writes, good ia,rs make good
manners" These remarks are almost self.
evidenli for the daily practice of execu-
ting laws, will soon form habits, which al
once give rise to rules Of morality. The
Reforme- will, then, feel it obligatory so
10 frame the legislation Of his country as
to correct abuses in moral action, and to
give healIhful tone to public sentiment.
In the language of Lord Bacon. "aA ic'rs
shouA be productive cf rirtue in the
People,
Blu, The political Reformer may exer,
happy influence upon morals and manners,
and public opinion, not only by legislation.
hut to a great extent in more private
capacity. In all his various relations in
life-n his daily conversatious-iu his
public discourses-in his written commu-
nicalions he can labor earnestly and ef-
rectiveIy to correct public sentiment on
political matters, morals and customs.
Our idea of genuine Relormer may
now be summed up in few words. He
is an intelligent poniotic citizen, who will
strive perpetually TO sustain, in its purity.
the Constitution Of his country; who will
judiciously correct abuses aud inconveni-
ences in legislation but cannot be carried
away by every effort al innovation; who
will leeislate 10 promote virtue in the peo-
pile; who will carry his principles Of re-
form into the walks Of private ife-laboring
earnestly in his oral and written discourse
to suppress evil habits and opinions. and