New Oregon plaindealer. (New Oregon, Iowa) 1859-1866, 1862-05-30
LEGISL ATl0N.

1t has ever been cardinal principle
of the Democratic party, as regard
the theory of governmental action to al
low the largest liberty to the greatest
number. The fundamental idea that
an enlightened people are themselves
capable Of self government, superseding
the old and worn out theories Of Divine
right "and original compact" has main.
ly in the history Of our country been
successfully held up as shield against
the encroachments of legislatures upon
the vested rights of the body of the peo-
pie. "Power is always stealing from
the many for the few" was a maxim
with the trainers of our government,
whose fearful truth they had learned
by sad experience. and against the
practical exercise of which they eonten-
ded with an earnestness and success
we'll worthy the imitation Of our modern
legislative Solons. 1t would be we'll
for legislatures to bear continually in
mind that men of our day can be safely
left to find their own road to happiness.
The experience of three hundred years,
during which time practical liberty has
been moving nearer and nearer to per-
lection, should tell US, that legislation
against the selfsoverniug exercise of
mems appetites, -legislation which as
sumes to dictate their wants, their ne
cessities; or which appropriates largely
Of their income, mortgaging their earn
ings, both past and fatare by assess
ments and taxation ; effectually cramps
the energies and ambition of an cnlight.
ened people-locks up the ordinary ave-
nues of industry, and leaves the fields Of
wealth and enterprise to capital, mo.
nopolies and favoritism.
There was time, and that not many
years ago, and the signs are strongly
indicative of a return to the same sui
cidal policy when everything connect
ed with mans existence, fron his era
die to the grave, was the subject Of
Legislative rule and action. The Ian
guage he should speak, the food he
should eat, the beverage he should
drink, the trade he should follow, the
hours of work and of recreation-what
he should plant, SOW: and reap, the
opinions he should hold, the subjects of
which he should read or speak and
the manner and extent of his religious
worship; all and everything relating to
his existence, may be. in the legisla-
tive malestrom to which we are drifting,
the subject Of arbitrary regulation.
Truly. it is harder to preserve liberty
than to obtain it. Years of unbounded
prosperity have made US careless alike
of the blessings of an enlightened free
dom, and of the stealthy Entertainments
Of legalized tyranny. He was neither
an unwise tyrant, nor inexperienced in
the human heart, who provided that
three times day, he should be remin-
ded that he was mortal and is it not
well for US, nay, is it not essential to
our political safety, that the voice be-
hind the throne, the voice of the majes-
ty Of the people, should occasionally
whisper to the powers that be; we are
Americans, and not dogs or serfs.
CAPT. L. NJ. SABlN.-We are glad
to observe upon our streets Capt. L. M.
Sabin, of Company &C." of the Joli-
ct Home guards, A. Regiment Hi
nois Volunteers, brother of D. D. Sa-
bin, of this place, to whom he is now
paying visit.
Captain S. who is now ab-
sent from duty on a furlough
to recruit his health, was formerly Of
this place, where he has hosts Of
friends. He was in the memorable bat.
tie of Pea Ridge, where, for his brave
~ and gallant bearing, he received
honorable mention from his superiors
in command.
We are glad to learn from his own
lips that more intimate knowledge Of
the true character of the negro: and
the relations of master and servant, as
they exist at the South, have increased
his conservative views of the institution.
He returns to his post of duty in 9