The New Orleans Democrat. (New Orleans, La.) 1875-1876, 1876-03-30


served an authentic account. Thjs
profound thinker is never tired IA pre-
senting the claims and speaking of the
practical importance Of the great sci
ence OF political economy, but lest he
should be considered Of no weight "a
a mere speculative thinker, I will now
quote from the writings Of men recog-
nized all over the civilized world, as not
only OF powerful intellect and vast cru
dition, but as practical men Of the
world, who conspicuously figured in
public affairs as statesmen and politi-
/ cans. Lord Brougham, one Of the most
learned men Of his age, member Of
Parliament, an orator Of unrivalled ex-
cellence, q statesman Of unqnestioned
reputation, Lord Chancellor Of England,
neither an insane theorist nor Tow
/ politician, /" says in his sketch Of the life
/ Of David Hume: 3'Mr. Hume Is beyond
/ all doubt the author ofthe modern doe
/ trines which now rule the world OF sci
enee, which are to a great extent the
/ guide 81 Dr0ctjcdl statesmen, and are
4 only prevented from being applied to
the fullest extent by the ctast5og inter
ests and ignorant prejudices Of certain
powerful classes"
In the same sketch, page 235, this
great statesman says, in speaking Of
political economy, that it is liberal,
enlightened and rational system Of ma
tlonal polity, which has the general
approval Of statesmen, and would be
everywhere adopted but for conflicting
interests and popular ignorance"
Sir James Macintosh, that ilIustrious
man and practical statesman, who
stands side by side with Burke,
Brougham and Macaulay as the most
eminent men who have adorned the
Parliament OF Great Britain, in speak
ing Of this important science and its
fIlustrious founder. says: ''The great
name Of Adam Smith rests upon the
Inquiry into the Nature and Causes Of
the Wealth Of Nations perhaps the
only book which produced an imne-
date, general and irrevocable change
in some Of the most important parts of
the legislation Of all civilized nations /
In few years it began to alter laws 4
and treaties, and has made its way
throughout the COMMISSIONS Of revolu- /
lions and conquest, with far less than /
the average Of those distinctions Of /
prejudice and clanor which ordinarily
choke the channels through which truth
flows into practice"
am almost ashamed in this. the nine
teenth century, to be compelled to
prove the practical importance and util-
ity Of the science Of political economy.
4 science which has more influence on
human affairs and on the happiness Of
mankind than All others combined
science the neglect Of whose principles
in legislation ID certain to be followed
by disastrous consequences that
science which considers wealth and all
that regards its production, accumula-
ton, distribution and consump tion-in
short, that science which considers the
causes which render a people prosper
ous or the reverse.
Having established the authority and
Of the tribunal to which +
referred the subject under discussion
and proved by its dictum that this rail
-oad will not contribute to the prosper
ty Of this community, will, with your
at some future time, re-
sumo the subject and show by inductive
rather than by the deduction
IF science, show that this railroad will
DE- detrimental rather than other
wise to this community.
ARCHIBALD MITCHELL.