New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1854-01-31
THE DAILY CRESCENT.
quEsDAY MoRNING. JANuARY 81. ISL
.EpIIoREaL eoRRRSpoN.pE.Nclg.


BAroN RouGE Thursday. Jan &C. 1854
Rather less was done, in the Senate, to-day
than the little that was done yesterday. The
only thing which | noted, of general interest,",
was question raised by Messrs aruaeaa anu
King, against the continual passage OF acts Tor
tho lnanumission of individual slaves These
gentlemen argued against the policy of eman-
cination. unless upon the condition of the freed
mans removal from the State; and insisted
that manuInssion should only be permitted on
grounds settled by q general law, to be passed
for that purpose, and to be applied by making
fit proof of the necessary facts, before nagis-
frate's court.
There seems to me to BE- much business and
weight, in this general idea. Surely this mat
ter is. one which 80 much concerns that 8 pecu-
iiar institution" about which we are 50 jealous
and so properly jealous, that il is great folly
not to regulate it by a well considered policy
1t ii highly indiscreet to leave it to the caprice
or the levity Of q continual legislation, often
brought about in very irregular manner.
The Indulgence Of a weak master should not
be the rule; but sober purpose and principle
of legislation. I have myself long doubted
tie fitness Of any manumission, except in very
rare cases 1; and those rather of some public
service than of a masters affection. clearly,
the freeing Of each slave serves to make
many others discontented. The expectation or
at least the wish for liberty is widely excited by
these multiplied examples. and the very spirit
is thus all the while engendered, which you
have SO much need to repress. This business is
enc Of most vital, concern to the slave States,
and should not be left to casual and momentary
influences, but to q sober plan, worthy of its
gravity. Indeed, the whole legislation of the
South has need to be re-east, as to this great
interest. In some points it wants additional
yigor; while, on others, there are many wise
ameliorations which I think might be safely
bestowed. In especial, l would do every thing
discreet to meralze the race: / would by lew
secure to them Religious instruction and l
would put an end to that promiscuous inter-
course among them, which arises out of the
refusal of the law to recognize their marriages.
Can we not put an end to this mischief? 1t is
one which Christian people ought to do their
best to escape from.
In Justice to two important corporations, |
which certain of our newspapers have unjustly
acCuSSu u W SufC1 dUh1fs. l
give you the following proceedings, to-day |
moved on their part, by Mr.. Campbell, of the
Senate:
WHEREAS the State OF Louisiana is subscriber In the
amount Of onefth Of the capital stock of the New Or
leans, jackson and Great Northern Railroad Company
and one-th of the stock of the opelouas and Great
Western Railroad Company
AND WHEREA, the State is only represented at the
boards of Directors Of said Companies by those delega
Directors and does not participate the proceed
ings of private stockholders;
Therefore Be nresoired That joint Committee be ap-
pointed consisting of Eve members of House Rep
resentatires and three members of the Senate that the
said Committee be invested with nqustorai powers and
is hereby instructed to proceed New Orleans exam
inc fully the present condition of affairs Of said Company
and their past transactions and to report in full
early day, the result of their investigations.
The following Committee appointed by the Senate:
Messrs. De Russey, Braud and Renner
Committee by the House: Messrs Caldwell, New horton,
Philips, Heard and Nixon.
MIR Campbell refused to account of his pre-
vous connection With the company.
Some twenty five or thirty nominations of the
Governor, made sometime since, were confirmed.
/ need not enumerate them.
Mr. Wickliff brought in his bill, empowering
the Governor to appoint public weighers Of
sugar and cotton 1t is measure by which
the Planters will gain, the Merchants lose. Of
its necessity, am no judge; but the author Of
the change is a man Of abilities and character,
who has given much time and care to the sub |
ject and ii little likely to propose an unsound |
measure. Since it will be adopted, | hope it
will work well. E. WI.