The southern press., 1851-12-11

suit from the sudden formation of depart
ment for its execution, is the result of much
study and reflection, and, II is thought, will
prove useful. Should the work be found to
possess real value, the result must be attributed
mainly to the abundant materials collected, and
the zeal and intelligence OF the persons en-
ployed thereon; some of whom are men whose
ability should secure a better remuneration,
which, it is hoped, Congress will be willing to
accord II, however, the general plan shall be
cons idered faulty, or by its imperfect execution
be deemed unworthy of adoption, it will have
been well thus to bring it 10 the test, that it may
be condemned.
The work, of course, has not been submitted
to the public for its judgment; but where opn-
ions have been at all expressed, by those deemed
good authority, on the propriety Of our cassifi-
cations, they have been invariably favorable.
Some such have found their way into the pub
lie documents. In the thirty second annual re-.
port of the New York Institution for the Deaf
and Dumb, made to the Legislature of that State,
the following language occurs, with respect to
our designed classification, of such portion Of the
work as interested particularly the directors of
that institution :--'Such list will furnish val
liable materials, never possessed to any extent
before, for solving many highly interesting sta
tstical questions; and its publication is looked
for with much interest. We shall endeavor, in
our next annual report, to set forth the results
Of q careful analysis Of the census returns, re-
spectng the deaf and dumb"
So far az our Judgment of the public press is
concerned, its expression has been much more
favorable than could be wished, with its imper-
feet knowledge of the plan, as expectations may
thereby be raised which the results will not just
ify. None of the information, as impaired in
the volume Of statistics, has been promulgated
it being considered indecate to make known ia
the world information due first to the head OF
the departc' ent, and through him to Congress
and it would not be decorous TO forestal the dis
passionate Judgment of either.
1t has seemed to me that work--the ex.
perse of which is shared by the whole commu
nity-should be arranged, as far as possible, 70,
/ general utility, and not compilation of mere
columns or figures interesting only to the mar
of science for legislative purposes or for refer
ence, but should be so adapted that while it vii
furnish practical information to the Statesman
and philosopher, and useful data to the legisla
tor, it will contain, also, matters interesting tC
every portion ofthe commu ity, furnished some
what in advance of those deductions from ana
Iytical Investigations made years after its pnb
1 cation. TO this end, if supported by the favor
able opinion of Congress, it will be made t.
evolve all Of instruction which Jealous efforts
though limited ability, are capable of elicitine
| from the facts within such reriod of time, as il
must be accomplished without retarding its
publication. il.
1t may be contended by some that the gazet
teers furnish most of the information we III
cIude. To such it may be replied that, whilst
these publications possess great value, and are
all replete with instruction, many present but q
reprint of former editions, with the title page
changed to suit the date, and few unimportani
] alterations IN other respects. Others may con-
tend that the plan presented takes within its
scope subjects not legi,imately embraced within
that of statistics. Such an opinion might be
maintained by forming conclusions from onl
previous publications, but they are however Al
variance with the'best authority on this subject
The definition of +" stati tics" as given by one
autor, consists in "such description of Q
country, or any part, as gives the present or aG
| tual state thereof" but as it is only by tho.
rough knowledge Of the present state of the
country and its inhabitants, with their present
customs, habits, morals, health, and manners OF
| life that we can form an accurate estimate OF
the condition of the people, so as 10 enjoy the
knowledge necessary for the ameloration o
their circumstances, or improve their con dtion
1t is necessary to take retrospective glance
and study their past history, and trace it to il
first beginnings, as we survey river TO IL
source, To acquire knowledge of its geogra
ply, or of the permanent character Of its sup
plies.
The term "census" applies more particularly
TO wealth and possessions than 10 numbers. il
was SO understood by the Romans, who first
used the term. Livy, in his first book of the
history of Re me, chapter ~, speaking of Serviu'
Julius, says:-"He then entered on the i'm
pToyement Of the civil polity OF the utmost i'm.
poriaace, for he instituted the census--an ord
nance of the most salutary consequence in ouI
empire that was to rise to such pitch of great.
ness, and according o which the several contri
buttons in peace aud war were TO be discharged
not by every person Unfortunately, as former
ly, but according TO the propol ton of their sew.
eral properties" And after describing the con
trbutons required in proportion to the wealth
Of individuals, who appeared on certain day
every year, each in his own century, and gave in
the amount Of his property, he continues In
all these instances, the burden was taken from
off the poor and laid on the rich"
The census was completed with great cere-
monies and offering Of sacrifices, termed closing
the lusirum. In his fourth book, he speaks OF
|
Of all the lands and houses, and the entire reye-
nue. Of the Roman people (B g., 440) In the
twelfth book, il is stated that 1.-THE senate then
received the survey Of twelve colonies, pre-
scented by the censors Of those colonies. Taciius
| mentions that Augustus wrote with his own
hand an exact account Of lis dominions, which
is termed u census" Although the term seen.
sns" does not appear in our Constitution, IL does
appear in the title of the act Of Congress- under
when this office is organized An lct for taking
/ the seventh and subsequent censuses," &c, the
Lody Of the act referring To the collection Of sta
tisics. But il is, perhaps, unnecessary TO go
back TO antiquity for the meaning Of the term
census, or that Of statistics, when we have soch
| good modern authority not onlv "a to the mean
log Of the terms, but the practical carrying into
| effect what the most distinguished sLatsts un.
der.tand to be comprised within their meaning.
| The term statistics" originated in England,
With Sir John Sinclair with respect to which, in
! the twentieth volume Of his statistical account
of Scotland, he remarks: Many people were
| "a feat I'D at ,.ipp tho nat w