Western union. (City of Hannibal, Mo.) 1850-1851, 1851-06-19

industry and economy, ii his schemes OF lille be
well Ggested, the current Of events Will bear
him on the aliaiunen, oil all that he can reason.
ABLY desire.
The man Of ripper years who is looking for
ward TO the education and establishment OF his
children, may profit by recurring 10 these views:
he should bear in mind that his offspring are
destined 10 act their parts III community wide.
ly differing in It's condition from that TO which
he himself has been accustomed; and should
study 10 prepare them for that stale OF society
in which they are destined to act as members.
The vision Of the political economist, who
aims to give direction TO the varied pursuits o..
mankind must continually embrace the future;
or the changes going on will falsely his doctrines
even before they are promulgated. He must
study profoundly the resources the next gen.
Grafton, as well as the wants and conyeniencies
Of the present, Tor the purpose Of Judging how
tie Ourthen incident TO social progress may DO
DISTURBED. aud imposed THAT each shall be
made 10 bear their just proportions. For, al
though praiseN Urthy, yet il would be an uDrea.
sonaJle sacrifice on the part OF our present pop.
uaton, 10 exhaust their means in making i'm
provenents Tor the enjoyment Of the five, or,
perhaps, ieh million inhabitants VI the next
generation, without transmitting portion oithe
burthcn with the benefits. This is question
ullOU winch VIC lTOHItsh III
Missouri, must, in good degree, depend for
seine years TO come and it may be profitable
TO give it passing consideration in connexions
with our subject.
We are aware, that very respectable and
prudent class Of men, hold the doctrine that
neither individuals nor governments should in
eur an obligation with view to its being dis
charged 5y their successors. This may be
SOUND maxim in countries whose resources are
fully developed, and where the population has
reached its maximum: but cannot be regarded
as applicable 10 state in the condition CT Mis-
souri. Let Us take the case oi our projected
railroads as an Instance. Any attempt to con-
s.rucl thcm by means raised Immediately from
orr citizens, would be perfectly vain nor is it
probable that the time will arrive when these
works would he undert ken upon this princi-
PIE, And, it we suppose the noxt generation,
convinced Of the importance Of the work should
undertake lis accompl shmcnt, they should be
compelled TO pay the entire cost; aud would,
consequently, be in no better condition than if
we had done the work entirely on their credit,
provided we pay ihG accruing interest. Then,
1t would seem 10 ioll0w, that, whatever amount
we may pay towards he construction Of perma.
ncn. works, whether il be five, ten, or fifty per
cent Of their cost, is SO much bestowed upon
those who succeed us. BIZ, in Missouri, it
would not be the descendants of our own citi-
zens only iha, would enjoy lhe benefits Of their
labor and enterprise; bit, emigrants from other
States and foreign countries would came in for
nuch the larger share.
Upon the principle Of dividing the burthen
Of making permanent improvements between
the present population and that which we may
reasonably expect to have twenty years hence;
Il is in oar poucr 10 carry ont thorough system
,f, ~
provided due regard is had 10 the amount that
may be invested, without materially affecting the
ordinary pursuits, Of the community.
Ru,, after al that may be said, the burthen of
cur successors is only contingent; for in
The value Of the property created remains equal
to lis cost, they will be fully indemniieG for
the discharge of the obligations which may be-
come due in their time.
We have made this DEPRESSION in view Of
the question which is being discussed in many
counties in our State, touching the policy Of
subscribing for s,oci; in works of public i'm
provemer,. We have considered the subject
in all IFS aspects and feel persuaded that no
other method yet devised Tor raising the means
OF constructing public works, is more safe 10
, the community ; nor IN a social point Of view,
} more ust IN is operations than county sub
scriptons. by this means, the property Of ev-
cry iHGNluuiI Is Drought 10 Dear upon soclal
objects and the selfish speculaor on the enter.
prise aud public spir, Of his neighbor, is made
to mpart something for the benefits which he
derives from public improvements.
We are pleased 10 learn, that county bonds
are beginning to be iavcrabiy regarded by cap
itali,ts, as safe mode Of inve,lnent and should
their creGi, be sustained ny the punc,ual pay
went Of interest, they are likely to become one
OF the most efficient social agents that has yet
been discovered.
In reference TO the future population and
wealth Of Missouri, we have said: she was des.
haCi 10 occupy the first place IN the list Of inner
icqH States; tut Il rW depend majnly on the pres.
cnt gcneraiioH Whcihc: her moral grandeur shalt
corrt, POND rifle her pealH ~ auDibers. The priv
iedo Of giving direction TO the social insitu-
tols, and tone 10 the moral character Of the
millions who are to succeed us, cannot be too
highly appreciated by every citizen OF MissJ;.-
+ ri. The foundations VI the social and NOR.
institutions Of this mighty State, to be lai,.
by US Of the present generation; and where i,
the individual So regardless Of the future G ory
OF his State and the appreciation OF his race, az
not to desire that his name should be recorded
as coadu,or in this great work? Improve
ments in the moral aud social condition Of
people, are of all human undertakings, deemed
practicable the most difficult. a slight error
o. To lera,eG, or perhaps unperceived, III the be-
ginning, takes deep root, and gaining strength
with time, becomes SO interviewer with the SO.
cial fabric thaits entire eradication deiies every
| human effort. Hence, we should aim TO excl :,
from ali Our institutions, every vicious pr.
: pie, and transmit them if possible, to our sue