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154833

ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS, 1889

ADVERTISEMENT.

CONNECTICUT, from the establishment of her gov. ernment, has been politically happy. She has been distinguished, in this respect, from almost every nation on the globe. There is, moreover, a trait of national character, for which she has been equally distinguished. We allude to the unparalleled caution, with which her rulers have proceeded, in the passing of new laws, and the adoption of new measures. That the former has regularly resulted from the latter, is a truth, of which those who form opinions, by examining facts, can have little doubt.

Experimental philosophy had been taught, and recommended, by Lord BACON, before the emigration of our ancestors. Adopting the same mode of reasoning, they applied it steadily, and successfully, to legal polity. They seldom took a step in legislation, till experience had evinced its necessity. They then provided for the immediate exigency, but for nothing more. Hence, our system of jurisprudence has, in a very strict sense, grown with the growth of our country,

The caution of our primitive legislators resulted neither from incapacity to devise, nor want of courage to execute. LUDLOW, HAYNES, HOPKINS, and HENRY WOLCOTT were not weak, nor timid men.

Though two former colonies are united in this state, we are indebted to but one government for our laws. New-Haven, at the union, brought a rich portion into the political family; but with her name, she relinquish, ed her system of jurisprudence. So entire was the relinquishment, that not a single statute provision was re

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