604
AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
inheritance established by law, founded on the basis of equal justice and national prosperity. Art. 26 Despotic Governments have endeavored to keep the minds of the people in darkness by prohibiting the introduction of books proscribed for their liberal principles. Free Governments on 'the contrary have thrown open the door for the admission of all without exception, and experience has fully proved the beneficial effects of this liberal policy in enlightening the people, who, very soon discrim- inate between any evil, irreligious, or immoral doctrines which such books may contain, and the pure and virtuous ones; rejecting the former, and profiting by the latter. All restrictions or prohibitions therefore on the introduction, sale or rending of books, are calculated to prevent the diffusion of intellectual light, and knowledge; to retard the improvement of the Nation, by perpetuating ignorance, super- stition and servile principles, and are at variance with the genius of free institutions, and shall neve1:)Je imposed under any pretext what- ever. Art. 27 A nation can only be free~ happy and great in proportion to the virtue and intelligence of the people; the clessimination of usefull knowledge and of the arts and sciences is therefore of pri- mary importance to national liberty and prosperity, and to effect t.his great object, it shall be the duty of Congress to provide by e':-ery means in their power for the speedy establishment of schools, acade- mies and colleges throughout the whole nation for the instruction of youth and children. Art. 28 In order to preYent those who are invested with authority from becoming oppresors; the people have a right, at such time~ and in such manner as they shall establish by the frame of Govern- ment, to cause their public officers to return to private life, and to fill up vacant places by regular elections and appointments. Art. 29 A frequent recurrence to the fundamenta.l principles of the Constitution; a rigid obedience to the laws; and a strict adher- ance to justice, temperance, industry, frugality and all the social and civil virtues is necessary to preserve the blessings of liberty anJ good Government.
ADDITIONAL ARTICLE
The Govt debts contracted in the name of the Nation by its ]egal ngent-s for the use of the cause of independem·e since the declaration in the year 1810, shn11 be acknow]edged as a part of the National debt of t.he Republic of Mexico, in the mnnner which Congress may de- termine bv law- - All offi~ers and soldiers who have fought for the cause of inde- penclcnce since the first epoch, ancl the widows and children of those
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