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THE CONSTITUTIONALIST.
JAMES GARDiN Er7 J R.
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[ From the N. O. Ddla ZUh i/?.?’.]
ifATI3R prom Mexico.
Arrival of the Steamship Alabama-
The steamship Alabama, Capt. Windle, ar
rived last night, direct from Vera Cruz, having
loft that place on the evening of the ISth inst.
To the politeness of Capt. Windle we are in- i
ddbteA for the prompt transmission of our
packages of letters and papers.
Among the passengers by the Alabama we I
notice the names of Map Gen, Quitman, Bri". i
Gen. Shields, Maj. Borland and Capt. Cassius '
M. Clay, of the Eacarnation prisoners; and 1
George Wilkins Kendall, of the Picayune.
The news is not impoi tent. Our letters from
our correspondent ‘-Mustang,” at the capital, j
are to the Bth inst. Congress was still in session
at Queretaro at the latest dates. A rumor was
prevalent that the members were about to quit
Queretaro and assemble in the city of Morelia.
Speaking on this subject, the Areo Iris of the
IBth inst. says;
The members of the Mexican Congress have
determined to assemble in the citv ot Morelia, '
(the ancient Valladolid,) now capital of the I
State of Mlchoacan. It appears that at Querela- !
ro they were always threatened by a new
revolution, and, therefore they wanted a safe
place to deliberate with ail the indeneudence
and freedom that they require.
Santa Anna had at the last accounts arrived
at Orizaba with a force of about 1500 merged 1
soldiers. In alluding to the order of Pena v
Pena, in depriving Santa Anna of his command,
the Arco Iris says:—lf the President, Pena y
Penn, meant by the order that he sent him to
Huamantla, that this chief should be depriv
ed of all command in the army, he must have
been greatly disappointed, for General Santa :
Anna has yet a brigade under his orders.
Prom the same paper of the 18 th, we hastily
glean the following items;
Ihe road to Mexico according to the per
sons who came down with the last train, pre
sents every where the most complete scene of
waste and desolation. At the approach of the
Americans, the inhabitants of ths villages
abandon their houses, and run away to conceal
themselves in the woods, 'ihe churches have
been converted into hospitals or stables by ths
troops of both armies, and the whole way is
strewn with th eskeletons of horses, shreds* of
uniforms, broken wagons,, &c.
It is rumored that the Mexicans are gather
ing all their forces to attack the train "on its
return to the capital; but if Santa Anna puts
a finger in the pic, it will turn out all talk and
no cider.
The same night in which the American train
halted at Tejuapalto, Gen. Rea was encamped
at Ojo de Agua . a place on the road, which is
about twenty miles from Perotc, but Ilea did
not dare to attack the Americans, although he
had been reinforced with all the cava.ry of
General Alvarez.
Os the social intercourse bet ween the Mexi
cans and the Americans at the capital, the A
merican Star of the 3d inst. says ;
Wc have taken repeated occasions to express
rjo.ur gratification at the evidences, which every
ttay presents, that the Mexican people are fast
learning to entertain a more just appreciation
American character. They evince a
.disposition to da justice to those who have
been.calumniated, and to extend to them the
courtesies of life. Vv'e are speaking rather of
the intelligent and cultivated portion of the
citizens, than of those who give no tone to so
ciety, an?, exert no influence upon it. Inter
course Jpctweca the former and educated Ame
ricans is fast increasing. Whether at the thea
tre, or ip .the streets, it is getting to be no un- |
common thing to see an American gentleman
by -the *ide -of a Mexican or Spanish lady, I
showing Iver that attention and courtesy which
are the characteristics of the intercourse be
tween ladies and gentlemen in every part of
the United States. Vv'e say, we rejoice at
these evidences of kindly and friendly feelings
£xxx the part of the intelligent people of the city.
American Star of Nov. C.j
From QuEKF.T.viio, —Letters from the scat of
Government state that seventy-seven members
appearing in their seats. Congress commenced
its session cm Tuesday la-t. The candidates
of the Moderates were Godov and Hernandez :
—of the Euros, Vepna and (*ren. Morales. The
latter seem to have abandoned Almonte alto
gether—unpopularity with all parties render
ing his defeat almost certain. Those who pre
tend to be in the secrets, however, say that it
is the partisans of Santa Anna who have des
troyed the hopes of the indefatigable candidate,
Almonte. The latter docs not disguise his i
hatred of the late President, and it is believed
that were he in power, he would do all in his
power to crush the hero of so many defeats. —
It was understood that the partisans of Santa
Anna would vote for Cumplido. The Mod- 1
crates had settled upon Pena y Pena, though |
he is stated not to be enough of a war man to J
suit the views of his party.
The Governors of the States of Vera Cruz
nnd Oaj aca recognize the authority of Pena y
Pen as s constitutional, and pledge their efforts
to sustain it. The Bishop of Guadalajara, also
recognized the new Government, and avows
his determination to co-operate with it in sa
ving the country.
Exchange of Visits. —Day before yesterday,
Gen. Scott and suit, in full dress, visited the
Archbishop, and yesterday that dignitary re
turned the compliment, andremained in the
General's quarters for some time.
Paredes. —The movements of this indivi
dual appear to bs watched with a great deal of
interest by a large portion of the Mexicans. His
sudden passage from Cuba to Vera Cruz, was
somewhat inexplicable, and his escape from
the latter city still more so. The next we
hear of him is, that he is in the vicinity of this
jcity, and said to be seriously indisposed. This
again is contradicted, and now we find him
addressing his countrymen in regard to the pre
neat state of affairs, and the future prospect of
the Republic. His known monarchical prin
ciples, him an object of much suspicion
among all friends of the Republic, and we are
not surprised to find the leading journals of
Mexico loud in his comdeundation. For in
stance,El Mcreliano of Sunday last, in announ
cing that he has issued an address to his fel
low citizens, in which he gives, at some length,
the reasons which induced him to return to
the Republic, speaks of him in somewhat severe
terms. It says that “ a General, who ought to
have been engaged in defending his country
from foreign invasion, has turned his back and ;
arms upon her, is unworthy of being employed ;
fry ajay administration. Wfiat security can
such a man offer to the nation, he himself be
ing the main cause of her present troubles?—
None. Because he' who has failed to do his
duty once, will fail a hundred times.” TMs
is severe language, and may be merited. Cer
tain it is that there is a strong feeling manifest
ed against Paredes, by the prominent journals
of the Republic. His monarchical prejudices
are probably the ground of this, and we doubt
whether such a man is destined to bring order
and regularity out of the chaos and confusion
which surround the RepU lie. He will hard
ly have the power, in the present position of
parties in the Republic, even if he had the in
clination. We hope some master-spirit may
yet arise, who, looking to the best interests of
the Mexican Republic, will exert the energies
of his mind to restore her to the position she
once occupied in the eyes of the world. This
can only he done by her fining ample justice :
in the first place, to the people of the United
States, whose government, while its army has
! been everywhere victorious, has yet with a
I spirit of great magnanimity, made honorable
{ propositions of peace. But this is not a sub-
I jeet upon which wc propose to enlarge at this
time. —American Star, Noc. 7th.
The Wounded. — Wc arc pleased to see so
many officers and soldiers getting out into the
street, having sufficiently recovered from their
wounds to do so. It is strange, indeed, that
some who were slightly wounded in the leg or
I arm, died from the effects of the wound, whilst
| others shot through the body and into the
j head, are fast recovering. There is a some
! thing about it which we cannot understand,
j Capt. Scantland, an old friend of ours, who
i loft the Ist Tennessee Regiment to take corn
j mand of a company in the new levy, was shot
j through the head, the ball entering near one
! eye and coming out at the opposite temple,
i None thought he would live a day, and now
| we understand he is not only alive, but has
made his appearance in the streets on foot. — lb.
Vera Curz, Mexico, Nov. 14 th, 1317.
Eds. Delta. —There is, I am sorry to say, but
little local news to acquaint you with from
this point since my last. The next train which
i is to go up in command of Gon. Marshall, is
i rapidly augmenting by the numerous troops
I arriving almost daily from all points. Os it I
•'shall have more to say hereafter. The princi
pal matter now engrossing public attention—
at least, that of our business men —is the ra
pid advance to this city of the “train” from
the city of Mexico. It is in command of Col.
Harxey, who brings with him 2003 men, 1200
of whom arc reported to bo on the sick list,
together with 500 wagons for clothing—stores
for the army above. The fact is fully appre
ciated here by the Mexican merchants, all or
nearly all of whom are and have been busily
employed packing goods for their respective
| agents in the city for weeks past. This ac
tivity in business, it must be borne in mind,
is confined to the old resident merchants here,
who arc long established—the new-comers
sjem scarcely to have commenced operations
yet, and will not, it is supposed, until the sut
lers come down whose supplies have been ex
hausted in the late campaign. A fellow-citi
zen of yours, Mr. Duperu, who went up with
Gen. Scott as sutler some months ago, arrived
here this morning. He, in company with four
other persons, left the city along with the
j train, but parted company with it at Puebla,
from which point they started, “on their own
hook,” came over the mountains, thereby
shortening the journey considerably,and report
that they did not see on the entire route which
they travelled above a dozen of the guerrillas.
In fact, every one who has arrived here from
above lately, reports the roads as being remark
ably quiet. I conversed with a person, who.
with his brother and *two servants, travelled
the entire distance from the city of Mexico to
VcraCruz, and he acknowledged that although
apprehensive of danger when starting, that he
was most agreeably surprised to find that the
travelling all through had at length be
come perfectly safe. It must be remembered,
though, that the travellers were Mexicans—
the one I spoke of, however, speaks English,
having been educated in the United States. He
speaks very warmly of the new states of affairs
in the city, and seems to be of opinion that a
new era is about to dawn on his unfortunate
and much ill-used native country.
From the various accounts received here
within the last few days, it is presumed that
Gen. Patterson and his train are now at Jalapa.
I regret to state that yelow fever has again
made its appearance in the squadron. There
were no le.-s than eight cases on board the John
Adams day before yesterday, three of whom
died yesterday.
Another train has just arrived, in command
• of Gen. Quitman —a portion of the main train
jis now on its way and expected daily. It con
i sists of about forty wagons; the escort was
composed of Capt. Kearny’s company of the
2d Dragoon o . Capt. K. was not in command
himself, having lost his arm in one of the en
gagements at Contreras nr Churubusco—so the
command devolved on his Ist Lieutanant.
There is very little sickness in Vera Cruz at
present, and the hospital cases are almost
entirely composed of persons suffering from
diarrhoea, dysentery and the like. No yellow
fever is at present visible amongst them.
The day before yesterday the large train ar
rived here, over 500 wagons, and some 2000
men—l2oo of whom are sick and wounded.
List of Passengers per Steamship Alabama. —
Mag. Gen. Quitman ; Brig. Gen. Shields ; Sur
geon-General Lawson ; Col. Harney, 2d Dra
goons ; Col. Garland, 4th Inf.; Col.’ Andrews,
Voltiguers; Col. Morgan, 15th Inf.; Col. Ram
say, 11th Inf. ; Col. Burnett, N. Y. Vols.; Dr.
j Harney, U. S. A.; Lieut. Col. Moore, 3d Dra
goons ; Maj. Smith, Engs.; Maj. Wade, 3rd.
Art.; Maj. Gwynn, 6th Inf.; Maj. Bonneville,
6th Inf.; Maj. Loring, Rifles ; Maj. Borland,
Arks. Vols.; Maj, Bennett, Paymaster; Maj.
i Dykeman, N. Y. Vols.; Capt. Anderson, 3rd
I Art.; Capt. Wayne, Asst. Q. M. ; Capt. Mar
tin, Asst. Q. M.; Capt. Jones, Rifles; Capt.
Mcßcynolds, 3d Drags.; Capt. Kearney, Ist
Drags.; Capt. Penrose, 2d Inf.; Capt. Mason,
Engs.; Capt. Clay, Ky. Yols.; Capt. Irwin,
11th Inf.; Capt. Edwards, Voltigcurs ; Lieut.
G. T. M. Davis; Lieut. Thorn, Top. Engs.;
Lieut. Newman, 9th Inf.; Lieut. Williamson,
3d Inf.; Lieut. Brodhead, 15th Inf.; Lieut.
Potter, N. Y. Yds.; Lieut. Sweenej”, N. Y.
Vols.; Lieut. Rosencranz, sth Inf.; Lieut.
Serames, U. S. N.; Lieut. Vernon, Voltigcurs ;
Lieut. May, Rifles ; Lieut. Beardsly, Bth Inf.;
Lieut. Hendrickson, 6th Inf.; Lieut. Maclay,
Bth Inf.; Lieut. Haskins, Ist Art.; Lieut.
Johnston, 3d Art. ; Lieut. Johnson, 6th Inf.;
Lieut. Boynton, Ist Art.; Lieut. Graham, Ist
Drags.; Lieut. Judd, 3d Art. ; Lieut. Shields,
14th Inf.; Lieut. Thomas, 3d Art.; Lieut. Cal
endar, Ordnance; Lieut. Moragne, S. C. Vols.;
Lieut. Kiger, Vo tigeurs; Lieut. Edwards,
Mar. Cor.; Lieut. Graves ; Lieut. Hammond ;
Messrs. Davidß. Pierce; N. C. Davis, U. S.
N.; Shirchfield ;H. Marks ;T. L. Doughty;
Watts; Gibbons; John Foster and Geo. W.
Kendall.
The Steamer Coosa, Capt. Laffcrty, arrived
at the wharf in this place on Wednesday, load
ed with lumber for the Rome Rail Road, and
Cotton and flour consigned to Augusta. She
left again yesterday morning, with merchandise
fjr Gadsden and other places below. —Rome
( Ga.J Journal , 2Qth inst.
Locae. We had a sharp sprinkling of snow
on yesterday; not enough however, to mark
the ground. The weather is still raw and un
settled, the river rising, and in fine boating
I order. The business of the season is fairly be
; gun, and our merchants are active and ener
getic.
New Articles of Export. —We learn that f
during the past week about 40,000 lbs. of cop
per ore of superior quality, from Polk county, ,
Tenn., ha<* been received in our city, via the
Georgia and South Carolina Railroads. It will i
be shipped to Boston to be smelted and rolled. ;
We understand- the gentleman in charge of the
Mines thinks the facilities of working them :
and getting the ore to market, far superior to
the Copper Mines on the Lakes.
Pig Iron, of very superior quality, from |
Atlanta, for the Boston market, and Lime from
the Cherokee counties of Georgia, have been ■
received by the Railroad during the past week. 1
These articles promise so become important ;
items in the business- of the Hoad. —Charleston I
Merctfryr 23 th inst.
Caution to dishonest Post Masters. —The j
mail has lately been fre jnently robbed between ;
Chattanooga and Nashville,and we understand
tire rogue has at last been apprehended in |
in the latter place. He was deputy in the ;
Post Office at Millcrsburg, Tennessee, and j
while on a visit to- the capitol called at a bro
ker’s office, (who fortunately had been placed
in possession of the private marks of the mis
sing bills,) to get small change for some large
bank notes. The broker took the liberty of
detaining the gentleman until he renders a
satisfactory account of hmv he came nto pos
session of the cash. A gentleman from Ten
nessee informs us, that the evidence of guilt
is so plain against him, that ho is sure to he
sent to a home at Nashville. —Mountain Eagle ,
2 Qth lust.
The Weather — Snow. —The weather is
very cold here at present, and yesterday a hea
vy snow fell in the noth-eastern part of this
county. Wo understand that the Cohutta
mountains arc now covered with it.
P. S. Since the above paragraph was in type,
we have had light snow here, but not enough
to cover the ground. At present, there is
every prospect of a bountiful supply.
P. S. No. 2.—As we got to press, the
weather is cold as “sc’ssors,” and snow fall
ing thick and fast. — lb.
Ten bales of cotton from Alabama, were
shipped by the Rail Road from this place, on
Saturday last. This is the first that has been
sent from here, but we understand a considera
ble quantity of Alabama cotton is shortly to
come this way.— lb.
iwjwnEitf ui tug. iruumh
%it g a*la, 0c or oi a .
TUESDAY MORNING, NOV. 30.
of Warehouses in this city
and Hamburg, will confer a favor on ns if they
will have the Cotton remaining on. hand in
their respective warehouses counted for us by
two o’clock to-day.
n?*The Union of Friday last notices the ar
rival of several Members of Congress. Among
them we notice the names of the Hon. Jeffer
son Davis of Mississippi, and Hon. Howell
Cobb of Georgia.
EP*The Hon. John Bell, the newly elected
Senator from Tennessee, is said to have come
out in opposition to the resolutions of Mr.
Clay.
Liberal Charters to Manufacturing Com
panies.
The views we have put forth on this head
have met with the strong dissent of some of
our Democratic friends of high intelligence
and sterling principles. This we regret. We
arc always sorry to differ with any strong
mind holding to the same political faith with
us. But we should attach minor consequence
to a mere difference of opinion, wore it not
urged that wc have departed from fundamen
tal principles of Democratic theory.
The Southern Banner also, a journal ably ed
ited, and belonging to “ the most straightest
sect,” joins issue with us. We cannot but
think that its zeal goes to the extent of im
practicable ultraism. It betrays bitter hostif
ty to corporations and seems to consider all
artificial associations, no matter for what great
enterprize and improvement, radically impro
per, anti-Dcmocratic, and an encroachment
upon the rights of the people. Wc have con
tended that they may be created for valuable
purposes —that they may promote great inte
rests, and add to the aggregate wealth, pros
perity and power of the State. They will re
turn ten fold all the advantages which legis
lation may grant them, and in this view we
advocate the policy of liberal legislation to
wards them. In this view of the case we ad
vocated the granting of liberal charters to
Manufacturing Companies ; and to secure the
extensive embarkation of capital in them, ap
proved two propositions submitted in the late
Message of Gov. Crawford. *
Ist. The exemption of the stockholders from
individual liability' for the debts of the Com
pany*.
2nd. Exemption for a limited term of years
of the property of the Company from taxation.
These two propositions arc alleged to be
in the highest degree heretical—such as can
not be for a moment tolerated, and have never
been countenanced in the strict schools of De
mocracy.
In reference to the first proposition, we as
sert that it is in accordance with the principles
of the Common Law —that good old sy*stem of
our Anglo-Saxon ancestry, under the sanction
of which, though in some respects modified
by statute law, exists our whole social or
ganization, our rights of life, of person and of
property. It is a system embodying the ripen
ed wisdom and learning of centuries, and al
though we arc not prepared to indorse the en
comium that it is “ the perfection of reason,”
it cannot be denied that its fundamental prin
ciples will generally be found to bo in strict
accordance with justice. It is a principle of
Common Law that a corporation is an artifi
cial person, and that the individual members
are wholly distinct from it, and not liable in
person or estate for its acts so long as they are
in pursuance of its charter. The limited co
partnership law as now of force in this State is
as applied to unchartered associations, a prac
tical illustration of the Common Law in refe
rence to corporations.
The Democratic party of this country', has,
with great propriety, we think, interpolated a
principle upon the Common Law in reference
to incorporated Banking Companies. This is
the principle of individual liability of stock
holders for the contracts and debts of the Com
pany:. The reasons for this arc too obvious,
too familiar to require repetition here. The
vast powers given to Banking institutions-*-
their facilities for obtaining credit—the great
number of their creditors from the circulation
of their bills among all classes of citizens, and ;
the difficulty of reaching fbeir corporate as
sets, or of knowing tbeir amount of value £
all these and other circumstances render it al
together proper that the Common Law should
; be modified by r the additional restriction which
Democratic legislation has imposed upon these
j institutions. We go farther : We think that
this restriction should be imposed upon every
I chartered Company', the nature of whose bu
] siness is such that it would be in the power of
the corporators, from the character of their bu
: smess, to obtain such a credit as we have de- !
; seribed, and by' means of which there would j
; be danger of loss to a large and meritorious ■
1 class of creditors. And in all cases of char- j
1 tered Companies, no matter what the nature
| of their business, and however desirable to
i the State may' be the encouragement of their
pursuits, there should be strict limits prescri
bed to them, for the infringement of which a
direct personal liability should attach in add!- j
tion to the forfeiture of the charters. We arc 1
advocates in cases of fraudulent or reckless i
! violations of chartered restrictions, of direct ;
! pecuniary' responsibility* and of penal enact
ments as so the parties really guilty. We
have never doubted the propriety* of our most
stringent laws against the Director's of Bank
ing institutions for violations of their charters.
But “ whci> the reason of Che ride ceases, the
rule likewise should ccasc.” In a Company*,
as for instance a Manufacturing i?s well as a
Banking Company, there may* be hundreds of
corporators, humble citizens, poor mechanics,
artizims and farmers, widows and minors, who
would be sufferers as well as the public, per
haps the chief sufferers in case of fraudulent
failures. They should not be punished for
their misfortunes by* penal enactments. But
they should be armed with power to punish
the authors. In case of a violation of the
charter, individual pecuniary liability' should
attach to each stockholder for the protection
of the creditor, to the extent, for instance, of
an amount equal to the stock subscribed. But
to make each liable for the whole amount, the
sinned against as well as the sinning, is virtu
ally to prohibit the aggregation of capital by
small contributions, for any enterprize requir
ing heavy amounts to carry it on. It will ei
ther be banished forever from our soil, or be left
a monopoly in the hands of a wealthy few.
Our second proposition, the temporary' ex
emption of manufacturing companies from
taxation, is objected to as such a gross and un
heard of violation of the democratic principle
of equality of rights, that in the eyes of some
strict constructionists, no consideration of
prospective benefit to the State can sanction
it. This is a sudden outburst of radical zeal
on this question. It has often lain dormant,
when other instances of partial legislation, and
favoritism to special interests have occurred.
No legislature ever sat in our State —scai'cely
docs it now spend a day' in session without in
some way* violating the strict principle of
equality. In fact there could scarcely be such
things as local bills and private bills, as they*
are called, which are not in derogation of this
equality of rights. What is a bill authorizing
a citizen to erect a mill clam, or a toil gate, or j
construct a bridge, or ply* a ferry boat, and j
charge toll ? Is it not an exclusive right ? Is
o 9
it not legislative favoritism ? Or if exercised
by the Justices of the Inferior Court, pursu
ant to a legislative provision, is it not practi
cally the same thing ? What arc special acts
for the relief of citizens as securities on bail
bonds, or for omissions to comply with the
law in reference to taxes or land grants —nr
perhaps for relief from the penalties of the law
for crime. What arc laws restricting the prac
tice of medicine and of law to a certain des
cription of diplomaed citizens, to the entire
prohibition of all others ? In short what are
all acts of incorporation, whether of churches
or of banks, of rail road companies or manu
facturing companies—of colleges, academies,
and of the thousand forms in which the natu
ral man is converted into an artificial being,
having a distinct legal existence from his other
fellow-citizens, and even from his own indi
vidual citizenship, but special acts of favorit
ism in derogation of strict equality of rights ?
The truth is, the whole complicated net
work of society is a series of innovations, gen
erally for wise purposes, upon that perfect
equality* of which we find man possessed in the
primitive state of nature. Every step in the
progress of society, trenches upon that absolute
equality which exists when there is no gov
ernment and no law'. It is fashionable to rail
against corporations as anti-democratic.
these artificial existences greet us as necessa
ry constituents of organized society wherever
we turn. Speaking of corporations that exist
by force of the common laic , Sir William Black
stone, says—
“Of this sort are the king himself, all bish
ops, parsons, vicars, church w'ardens and some
others; who by' common law have ever been
held ( as far as our books can show us) to have
been corporations virtute officii: and this in
corporation is so insoperably annexed to their
offices, that we cannot frame a complete legal
idea of any' of these persons, but we must al
ways have an idea of a corporation, capable to
transmit his rights to his successors, at the
same time.”
We have no corporations by common laic,
but we hare many by the constitution and by
statute. The Governor of the State, the Judge
upon the bench, the wardens of a church, the
trustees of an academy are corporations or com
ponent parts of one. Corporations have ex
isted since the days of Numa, who introduced
them in the day*s of the feuds between the
Roman and Sabine factions. They arc at
once an element and an evidence of civilization.
They should n,ot be ruthlessly assailed as des
tructive to liberty and equal rights. They
should not be improvideatly created. They
should not be armed with the means of doing
great evil; and abuse of powers should be jeal
ously -watched and indignantly punished.
But to make war upon the whole system of
corporations is to take a retrograde stop in
civilization and human progress. The crea
tion of a corporation is at once the creation of
special privileges. But if its creation will
subserve a w*ise purpose, is it any more a gross
violation of the rights of the masses to extend
to it for a limited time exemption from the
burthens of taxation with a view to insure the f
accomplishment of the purpose aimed at ? The
State expects a benefit to accrue immediately
to her citizens, and to their general interests.
She anticipates a direct prospective benefit to
accrue to her treasury by* the erection of the
corporation. She grants the temporary* ex
emption then, for a valuable consideration.
Apply the reasoning to manufacturing com
panies. Wc think w’e demonstrated that they
would bestow an equivalent upon the State in
return for the special exemption.
The Southern Danner, however,, seems im
bued with bitter hostility to that great branch
of human industry*—manufacturing pursuits.
Its opposition to liberal charters appears to
spring as much from the idea that the nature
of the business is such that factories bring in
their train wealth to the few, and poverty, ;
disease, and broken spirits to the many. It ;
even laments over that ingenuity which has
made human labor more efficient by* combin- j
ing it with mechanical skill and improve- i
' ments in machinery, and still prefers the te- '
dious process of “ the spinning wheel and
hand loom/’ It would be as wise to object to |
dll improvements in agricultural implements, !
or in manuring soils by* which three bushels J
of grain could be produced where one grew j
before, and to sigh for that primitive husban- |
dry when oxen tied by* the tail to wooden
plows wore in vogue. The fol owing picture j
of the factory system is from the Banner of |
the 25th inst., and whether imaginary or real, |
betrays a hostility to it so strong as to account,
independent of the democracy of the editor,
for his opposition tor ** liberal charters.”
“ The incorporated companies of spinners
and weavers by labor saving machines mo
nopolize upon the “ spinning wheel and hand
loom” that employ more women and children,
and in a more wholesome manner. These
must now be driven to a factory* because their
occupation is gone, and with them must go a
spirited and manly brother, husband or father
to cringe beneath the power of capital —and
all of them to pine in the unwholesome air of
a factory*. The history* of factories is nothing
but a talc of woe to this class of our popula
tion. Far better that they should seek i* cot
tage in the cheap or public lands of our ex
tensive domain. If we cannot retain them
without the slavery of the factory system, it
is both more humane and republican to assist
them if they* are unable to go without it, to a
home upon 1 mds that will cost them rrothing.
There never was a manufacturing state, and
there never will be, that enjoyed liberty. —
Capital and labor are natural enemies. The
land may flourish but it will be at the loss of
the social and political equality* of the labor
ing population.”
“Capital and labor are natural enemies/' —
Is this true ? Then was the iron coin of Ly
curgus the wisest currency ever circulated:
Then laws, aimed to keep pco2>le poor, wou’d
conduce most to the peace and happiness of
society*. If this be true, then is capital a
scourge in the hands of the wealthy against
the poor who furnish labor. Then do the
poor war against capital and seek to do all the
harm in their power to their natural enemy'.
But this is not a true picture of society. This
is not the tendency and effect of labor and of
capital in any ordinary* system of government.
Tiiey* are not antagonists. They derive from
| each other reciprocal value. It is true that
1 every* purchaser of labor seeks to get it cheap,
and every laborer seeks to sell his labor at the
best price. But the spirit of self-mterest con
trols all business transactions. All classes of
men illustrate the adage, “ there is no friend
ship in trade. But it is not true in fact, that
the rich and the poor are natural enemies. It
inflicts injury on society to inculcate the doc
trine, or to countenance it. Honest poverty
brings no degradation with it, nor docs an in
crease of capital in a country destroy the lib
erty* of the masses, or cause them to cringe to
the wealthy. If the people arc properly edu
cated, and we believe that in this country they*
have the true spirit of freemen and a true
knowledge of their birthright, the poorest
man will feel that he is as free and enjoy's as
many* civil rights as the wealthiest and proud
est in the land. If capital and labor are to be
array'ed against each other as natural enemies
with a view to discourage manufactures, why
may not this antagonism be urged with equal
propriety* to the detriment of commerce, by
dissuading the common sailor from serving
—or of agriculture by deterring the laborer
from taking wages—or of the various trades
and mechanical pursuits, by discouraging jour
neymen and apprentices from work. In all
these, capital employs labor and derives value
from it. Let either be destroyed,and the other
must suffer.
It will generally be conceded that a coun
try whose labor is employed in a diversity of
pursuits is more prosperous, accumulates and
retains wealth faster and can sustain a larger
population in comfort than a country which
depends upon one pursuit.
But The Southern Banner would oppose the
accomplishment of this state of things, if to
bring it about any special privileges must be
granted. Yet on the very page which so
fiercely assaults liberal charters, is the men
tion without a word of disapproval, of a pro
position to appropriate money from the State
Treasury to endow a professorship of Agri
cultural Chemistry. Is not this running
counter,to the editors theory of—favors to none
—no special legislation to foster any particu
lar pursuit ?
Again, on the same page is mentioned with
out dissent, and we infer, approvingly, the re
cent action of the Legislature by joint reso
lution in favor of immense grants of the pub
lic domain, and of other exclusive rights to
Col. Whitney, to encourage him to build a
magnificent Rail Road across the North Ame
rican Continent. Was not here a favorable
opportunity for the editor to insist on the pro
position he lays down as follows :
The radical error at the bottom of the whole
scheme, is the attempt to direct capital and
industry into particular channels, We re
peat, “Let them alone.”
Yet if this policy be rigidly pursued in
Georgia, and no fbstering care extended to *
new enterprizes, our State will be left in the
background in this age of progress, and much
of her floating capital will find profitable in*
vestment in chartered companies brought into
existence under the genial auspices of liberal
legislation in her adjoining sister States,
I The Now York Circus
j The fine Circus Company of Messrs. Robin
son & Eld red, arrived yesterday, and made
j an imposing spectacle in otfc- sffoet*
i with their large cavalcade of horses, preceded
. by thoir celebrated brass band, drawn in a cats
by twelve beautiful animals. They com
menced their performances last eYcrsing to X
| crowded audience, and we believe it was gen
erally conceded to be one of the best com
panies that has visited our city for s-'me years*
| The Clown, Signor Felix Carlo, has no supe
rior, and it is worth the price of admission to
see him go through his various antfcx. The
Company will perform agnfifj this evening*
Theatre.
Tills is the last night of fire engagement of
the celebrated Lehmann Family,- whose per-'
formanccs have given such general satisfac
tion to our citizens. The bill offered is an-
tractive one, and should draw a full house.-
Hampton Course-
The Racing over this course will commence"
I on d uesday next, <th inst., and a good weeks
[ sport is anticipated, as there are already twen
| ty-one horses on the ground ready to enter
the list as comp- titors. The following gen-
I tlemen have stables now in training on the
1 track, viz: Capt. Rowe, Wm* Myers, Robert
Myers, D. Burroughs, f. Harrison, J. Single
' ton, W. Ilarleo, and Lewis Lovell.
The Proprietor has put the track in first
! rate order, and made sundry improvements
for the accommodation of visitors ; and those
at a distance fond of the sports of the turf, we
think can enjoy themselves here during race
week.
At a meeting of the Members of the Ilamp-'
ton Jocky Club, Dr. J. G. McWhorter, was
elected President, Geo. W. Lamar, Esq., Vice
President, and William Clagctt, Secretary.
Gen- Taylor-
The New Orleans Bee, of the 22d instant,
states that a highly important law sui* will re
quire the presence of General Taylor in Mis
sissippi oa the first Monday (the 6th) of De
cember. There ww, therefore, but little
doubt that he would reach New Orleans dur
ing the last week of this month.
The General, accompanied by Gen. Wool,
left Monterey ow the S-th November, inspect -
ing the posts- en route , and had reached Mier
on the 13th, and was hourly expected at th®
Brazos when the Edith left.
Florida
The Gerjegal Assembfy of Florid® convened
at Tallahassee on Tuesday last.
In the Senate lion. Daniel G. McLean, of
Walton, was elected President; Calhoun Wk
Downing, Secretary; R. A. Hardy, Assistant
Secretary; A. 11. Bush. Enrolling Clerk; W.
Taylor, Sergeant-at- Arms, and A. G. McLean,
Messenger.
In the House, IIor»* Joseph B. Lancaster, of
Duval, -was elected Speikerj Win. B. Lancas
ter, Chief Clerk; Sergeant at Arms, Wm. i*
Atwater; Messenger, Rev. S. B. Foster.
U- S- Senator Elected—at last-
The Chattanooga Gazette, of the 26th inst*,
says —We learn, from a letter received in this
place, from Nashville, by Wednesday’s mail,
that Bell (W r hig) has been elected United S,
Senator; but by what majority we have net
ascertained.
Steamers to Bremen-
The "Washington Union denies, on the au
i thority of the proper department, the statement
of the London Morning Chronicle, that the
line of steamers between New York and Bre
men would, in all probability, be discontinued,
the returns not covering the expense#* Th«r«
is no truth whatever in the statement.
A Manifest Destiny Man
"When Lt. Emory stopped at Panama, on
his return to the United States last spring, ho
encountered an American at that place half
seas over, with whom he got into an interest
ing conversation.
“ W r hy don’t you return to your country ?’*
said Lt. Emory.
“Return to my country? Never!'*
“ "Why r
“ Because I am a Manifest Destiny Man,and
my country will be along here, long before I
die r
Edwin Fohkest, Esq., the distinguished
tragedian, has offered three thousand dollars
for the best original tragedy, in five acts,which
shall be written by an American citizen.
[Correspondence of the Constitutionalist.]
GEORGIA LEGISLATURE.
Wednesday, Nov. 24, 184,7.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Mr. Shockley laid up the table yesterday a
resolution, which provides for the early settle
ment of the affairs of the Central Bank.
BILLS INTRODUCED.
By Mr. Jones, to authorize the settlement
of minor offences, and to compell an efficient
prosecution of high crimes and misdemca
nors-
Also, to authorize the Governor to appoint
a fit and proper person to sell and dispose o f
undrawn lots, and to limit the time for frac
tion purchasers to pay for and take out grant*
for fractions.
Also, to authorize the Goven, or to close the
Poor School accounts on the J sth December
of each and every year.
By Mr. Hardin, a memorial &:c., to con
struct a rail road from a point on the Savan
nah river to the Central Rail Road, and also
to Augusta.
Bv Mr. Bartow: A resolution, id authorize
the Governor to have purchased and presented
in the name of the State, to Josiah Tattnall, of
the U. S. Navy, an elegant sword, suitable for
an officer of his rank.
Mr. Gartrcll laid upon the table the resolu
olutions of Mr. Clay in relation to the exist
ing war with Mexico, which were read and re
ferred to the Committee on th® state of the
Republic.
Thursday, Nov. 25, 1847.
Dear Sir: As this is Thanksgiving day,
neither branch of the General Assembly has
convened. The State House is deserted, stores
are closed, business shops shut up, and the
bells are summoning people to the sanctuary
of the Most High, Every thing in nature
seems to harmonize with the occasion.
It is now the last of the fourth week of the
session and nothing of importance has yet
been done. Indeed it appeals that the mem
bers are almost afraid to take action upon any
matter, lest they should commit themselves to
an appropriation of a few dollars. I- Ml iaI( “
• /