The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1859-03-02

Il
Of political notice dolled out to US by the Euro
pean press No petty seven by nine German
principally, which did not command more at
tention than this government. The country
the people-the trade-the markets, of course
attracted more attention. Cotton, tobacco, rice
and the other rich trophies of our teeming soil
plead their own cause with European trade
keensighted manufacturers and merchant
We're not backward in discovering our grea
utility as suice to their oYercharged ware
houses, and some economists early saw III us
valuable outlet for surplus of burdensom'
population. But as political power-whost
opinions were worth anything, or likely to IN
tiuence anybody beyond ourseIyes-we nigh
as well have been New Zealand saVages. Oul
government itself was an enigma to foreign
statesmen, and to comprehend it not worth the
study in any more practical point of view thar
| as matter of curious philosophical inquiry
When the lord mayor of London introduced
Mr.. Webster to dinner crowd as "a member
/ Of the upper senate of New York" he bad
probably primed himself for the occasion by
some special inquiry into our political system
The simple fact is, that we had only Clnderll-
las place in the ''family of nations and were
about blank with all European diplomats.
We are tempted into these "reminiscences,
just now, by a glance in the papers at the out
pourlngs of the European press on the last
presidents message. A complete transmogri-
ticaton has taken place. The stately London
Times is indignant daily over the presidents
message for week. The courtly Chronicle
tears at it as if by instalments, and in extenso.
The entire British press is scolding at great
length. Across the channel, LIE Pays, the
Moniteur, GalIighani's Messenger, Paris Union
and all the rest are profound and prolix in their
objurgations. Madrid is blazing through the
Gazette and Espana, and the continent gene
rally don't like the way in which we are going
on, by page or two Of remonstrance in all
their leading papers.
Wemention these facts not to excite uneasiness
and apprehension in the minds of republican
readers this side the Atlantic! but to show how
things have changed since we were Younger
when presidents message might have pro-
posed to set the ocean afre without calling out
a single column from all these papers combined
The fact is, we are getting to be a great coun-
try, great IN position, power and resources, and
the combined world is just waking up to the
fact. Beyond this, too, the Improvements of
the age IN lntercommunication, are bringing
our influence to bear with vastly increased
power. What man glowing with patriotic in
spraton, could descrite the future of our giant
and power, in godlike exercise for
the political amelioration of mankind, but for
the miserable spirit of fanatcism and dema-
goguism-but for swaddling and spiteful abo-
lltonlsts, inhammatory demagogues and small
II Oh
present ard cloud the future, like swarm of
pestllent gnats around the majestic lion 1t is i
not too much to say, that if true to herself, our
children will see this mighty republic great,
power in the world-more DO
.ent for good than any human organization
eyer yet called into existence by the Great
Architect of earth, to rebuild and redeem the I
ortunes Of fallen and suffering humanity. So
note it be.
THE PARDoNING PowER-A bill has been
Introduced into the New York legislature, re-
IuIring the governor to make report every
'ear OF the number of pardons granted and
md combinations made by him, with his rea-
ons therefor, and all the documents on which
hey were based. This is a most excellent
Measure. A similar law has existed in Viz
5lnla since the adoption of the new constitu-
ION IN 1850. It is to be hoped such law
vii also be adopted in Louisiana, that we shall
rave land before the Legislature and the pub
&c at the commencement of every session. a
ull, true and particular account of the causes
vhlch have led to any criminals escaping the
punishment to which he was sentenced by the
ourts or any portion of it, with copies of all
stters and petitions written and presented on
rs behalf, with the names and addresses 6
he sl9ners We hope, too, though we do not
cry well see how 1t could be made the subject
legislative enactment, that, after the pas
age of such bill, every governor will feel
ound IN honor not to listen to oral representa-
ons on behalf OF cul prits, but insist on their
eng committed to writing and placed on re- +
ord
MUTILATED CoIN.-It has just been discov-
red IN New York that there is quantity of t
old coin in circulation which is not of the re- e
ured weight-fve dollars pieces weighing l
Ineteen grains less than the coin ought to weigh
externally the coin is that which is coined at v
lie mint. But the fraud is perpetrated in the 7
blowing ingenious manner: The coin is pla-
ID on lathe, and made to revolVe A keen, Y
arrow chlsel IS set against the edge, and as /
lie coin reyolEes the chisel turns out the in S
de Of it, and penetrates nearly to the centre, Il
aVlng but two thin shells, as it were, con- 7
scted at the centre. The cavity is then filled il
, with base metal, the coin is milled over Il
Jain and the edge galvanized, showing as l.
'rfect specimen of work in fraud as was
er conceived or executed. Another mode of d
utllating coin; which we see is coming into "
actice, is to punch hole in them or file off !,
e edges. These practices are of course OBJ n
Gus to any person who chooses to examine e,
inss presented. The way to stop this prac- fo
'e is for every shopkeeper and dealer Of ev-
y kind, to reject all coins which have been l.,
utilated in the least degree. This would a
ave such coins in the hands of the persons re
40 were guilty Of the mutilation, and be an 81
ectual bar TO the rascality which was meant Sc Sc
be practised by the clipping. al
ScRAPE AT JACKSON CoLLEeE.-A rather Sc U
JUS affair occurred among the faculty and ''
ldents Of the Centenary college, jackson, Il
'ulsana, few days ago, which is to be re- IS
cited. One OF the professors of the college, of
r. Wiley, having married Mrs Magruder Pr
rose residence is not far from the classic GO