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orders, but not enforcing tliem, tlie government of Great Britain allowed the 

 plague to be disseminated until, as is seen in the above remarks of the Mark 

 Lane Express, it is sweeping tbrougU England and Scotland. Ireland is yet 

 free from it. 



In tbe enforcement of our law against the importation of cattle and tbeir 

 parts the Secretary of tbe Treasury is prompt and energetic, but tbe danger 

 lies in tbe introduction of tbe disease into tbe Britisb provinces. Once tbere, it 

 could bardly be kept out of tbe States, and bence some action sbould be bad 

 immediately, tbrougb whicb tbege proviuces and our government could mutually 

 protect eacb otber against tbe introduction of tbe plague, and, indeed, against 

 all fatal infectious diseases, wbetber affecting tbe buman family or tbe fai'm 

 stock. 



But tbere is one tbing in wbicb all our governments, national and State, bave 

 been wbolly remiss in tbeir duty to tbe people. Neitber of tbem bave yet legis- 

 lated witb reference to suppressing tbese diseases, if introduced into our country. 

 Wbo is authorized to place a cordon around tbe first cases tbat may appear, or, 

 by some otber effectual means, take bold of all tbe numerous things by which 

 the contagion may be spread, and by their destruction or purification, protect 

 other persons or animals from tbe disease 1 It was in this protection tbat the 

 government of Great Britain was false to its duty. As we have seen, it permitted 

 all animals to be driven to and from the markets ; the infected manure to be 

 carried along tbe highways and into fields ; individuals to visit the sick cattle, 

 and, in their clothing and upon their shoes, to spread tbe disease into healthy 

 localities. Contrast this inaction with tbe system of cordons established by tbe 

 German governments, and is it any wonder tbat an Euglisbmau writes, *' it is 

 about time to give up theories of government." Tbere are circumstances, im- 

 perilling the common safety, when anything else than what seems an arbitrary 

 exercise of power is disloyalty in truth. Siicb terrible pestilences as the cholera 

 and the cattle plague demand tbe most vigorous action, and tbe most unqualified 

 giving up of individual freedom to think and to do as it chooses. To authorize 

 such action is now the imperative duty both of tbe general and the State gov- 

 ernments. 



In our examination of the diseases we have placed in the beading of thia 

 article, we have searched for preventives and remedies. Tbese we shall give in 

 the next monthly report. What has been here written will serve to show the 

 nature of tbe pestilences threatening the country, and to remind both Congress 

 and tbe State legislatures bow little either bave yet done to secure the people 

 in their lives and their property against these diseases. 



Since this article was prepared we notice, from the London Agricultural 

 Gazette, tbat Great Britain has done for Ireland just what we have stated 

 should be done for this country by State and national legislation. Heretofore 

 tbe privy council simply ordered tbe non-importation of cattle into Ireland, but 



