The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1850-03-07

4
readers extracts from interesting document pub
lished in the Monitor Republicans Of those dates.
II is the Report of Commission charged with |
matters Of Colonization and Industry.
They begin by saying that population is the
industry, the power and the wealth of nations and
ours not having the tenth part of what IS capable
Of sustaining, cannot become powerful and opulent
until its population is extensively increased Fa-
vcred by Providence with fertile soil, Astounding
in riches, we have to struggle in consequence OF
that deficiency, with all the difficulties which beset
q people at once limited and poor. Nothing is
therefore more necessary to be done for the pros
perity and ACKNOWLEDGMENT Of our country than to
procure, by jealous efforts, augmentation Of our
population.
e BY the side of our Republic rises a Colossus Of
power, that of the United States OF North America,
while ours is on the decline and becoming impov-
erished. This prosperity of our neighbor sattrib
utabe to.their population, which increases as If by
enchantment; while our languishment and decay
arise from the depopulation of our territory. An
the arrivals of .emgrants from abroad incline to-
ward the United States, to render their lands pro-
Nductiye. In single year there arrive in .NewY ork
five hundred thousand strangers, seeking estab-
lshment and future destiny; while in the mean
time very few reach our shores. This difference
forms the measure of the prosperity OF the two
countries. EVERYBODY. sees it--everybodY feels it
and there is not single Mexican who loves his
country, and who is not blinded by deplorable
Prejudice, who does not feel that colonization and
immigration would put an end to our decay, and
by the increase of population might become
what we ought>to be, considering the elements we
possess of national greatness"
They then speak of the first attempts at coloni-
zation (alluding to those in Texas which led to
conflict which cost the Republic her best Terrific
ries. They allude TO the difficulties attending the
subjects, particularly the doubts which appear to
have existed whether the vnoant lands were to be
disposed of by the General or State Governments,
the greater expense Of transportation into the inte-
rior from the seaboard where immigrants arrive and
the obstacles arising from difference of language
and customs, and the disturbed state of things in
Mexico. But the great obstacle 10 which they
existence OF an established exclusive religion and
religious intolerance On this subject their Ian
guage is so remarkable, coming from such a quar-
ter that we prefer giving translation:
Respectable and industrious men, who do not
profess our religion, will not make up their minds
to pronounce their or to deprive themselves of
the doctrine and discipline of their respective sects
for any temporal advantages; and the fundamental
law prohibits among us all other forms Of worship
than the Roman Catholic. This is not mere pre-
sumption; it's settled well-established fact upon
no doubt. Not long since, a German Emigrant
Society, well organized, extensive and well sup
ported, addressed the application which accompa-
MES this (NO. ~ and with it, jti perceived offers
Of numerous eolonists, with means Of transporta-
ton, and TO purchase lands, and for whose morality
proper guarantees were given. Ii is said most of
| them would be OF the Evangelical Protestant Re
ligion, and without the assurance of permission to
exercise their religion, and the liberty of religious
instruction, they could not possibly settle on the
| Mexican soil The Supreme Government thought
proper to that Society, adopting the intor-
nation of this Commission, that this liberation is
not permitted by the Constitution of the Republic;
and although the Colonization Commission of the
House of Representatives had presented their opn-
ion year before, proposing that in the Colonies
| other forms of worship should be tolerated, the
Chamber was adverse to that idea, and that such a
project has yet tobe discussed it not being expected
that the renovation of the Representative body
which was to take place this year, would have
favorable influence towards liberation; but that il
| the mean time no one prescribed on accoun
of religious opinions, and foreigners are permitted
TO have their cemeteries that their funeral rites
rerespected, aud that the pirate exercise OF re
| gion is never disturbed that usage permits stran
gers to preserve their customs in relation to the
| celebration of marriages, whether civil or witt
religious ceremonies; the House of Representative,
having already approved among other points of the
new system OF Colonization, that civil marriage,
| between foreigners should be acknowledged b
| law"
/ This Report evidently intimates a wish 10 breaI
down the intolerance which yet exists in Mexico
and contrasts the condition of things there and il
the United States, growing out of the entire ibert
of worship and religious belief in our own country
But the influence of bigoted and besotted cerg
yet, presents formidable barrier to be overcom
\ by the slow process of popular opinion. Suc
men as Gems. Farias and Garay, and others in tn
public Councils of Mexico, may yet accomplish
the end.
The Commission goes on to speak of the impor
lance of railroads and other facilities for interco
muncation, and Of the condition of the Cotton
1 Wooden, Glass and Paper manufactures which
have been established, and deserve the protection
of the Government. $50.
In short. (for we have not room for further eI
tracts, our neighbors appear to be awakening from
their long lethargy, and begin to find that without
industry, all the mineral treasures of Mexico dc
not constitute national wealth.