Page:Mexico in 1827 Vol 1.djvu/333

Rh and all the abuses of absolute power, and protecting the houses and persons of all the inhabitants of the republic, against the undue exercise of authority in any shape.

In a more advanced stage of society, many of these enactments might have been dispensed with; but in a country that had so recently thrown off the yoke, they were necessary, in order to inspire confidence in the system, and to teach the people to value their new rights in proportion to the extent of the grievances, from which they were exempted by them.

It cannot be denied that many of the provisions of the Federal Act, have already produced a good practical effect, and tended greatly to rouse the country into useful activity.

Proofs of the attention which is already paid to the education of the rising generation, will be found in Books V. and VI. of this sketch; and this is the first great step towards a better order of things.

Statistical enquiries, too, are prosecuted with eagerness in all parts of the country, in order to furnish materials for the annual reports required, both by the General Congress, and by the Legislatures of the States. In these, a mass of curious information is already collected, and every day tends to throw more light upon the resources of the country; while the precautions taken against too hasty a change of system, (Articles 165, 166, and 167,)