Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1821-06-12
DOMESTIC.
GOV. MsNAIR'S MESSAGE

TO THE LEGISLATURE OF MISSOURI
Gentlemen of the Senate
and of the House of Representatives,
In discharge of the duties required Of
me by the constitution, | have convened
you at this early period, for the purpose
of laying before you several matters
which appear to me urgent in their ma
ture, and ofvital importance TO the state,
hoping from your wisdom and prudence,
remedy for some of the evils Under
which the country labors, which my own
reflection has not been able to devise.
This measure which will necessarily &C.
casion considerable public expense, has
not been adopted without the maturest
deliberation, and absolute conviction, on
my part, that the public interest and safe
ty require the prompt interposition OF the
General Assembly. Since the first or
ganization Of this government we have
exhibited to the American people spec
tacle novel and peculiar-an American
Republic on the confines Of the Federal
Union, exercising all the powers of sove-
reign government, with no actual politi-
cal connexion with the United States
and nothing to bind us to them but re-
verence for the same principles and am
habitual attachment to them and their
government. And although we had the
best grounded hopes Of immediate adj
mission into the Union, such has been
the warm excitement produced by the
Missouri Question, both in and out of
Congress, that we have not only been
disappointed in our just expectation, but
the nation itself has been brought to the
verge of ruin. But since better princi-
Piles and milder policy has been adopt
ed, the Congress ofthe United States has
passed resolution for the admission OF
this state into the Federal Union, on ain
equal footing with the original states.---
Be it ours then to shew how highly we
appreciate the blessings of the Federal
Constitution, and to demonstrate to the
nation at large, that, while we add ano-
Their member to the Federal family, VIC
bring along with US into the Union, prin-
cipfes that will ensure its stability and
duration. The President of the United
States has caused to be transmitted to
me an authenticated copy of the above
mentioned resolution, which is herewith
presented to the General Assembly. 1
deem it proper to recommend the i'm
mediate consideration ofthat subject, and
the passage of such legislative act as 10
required by the resolution; carefully
avoiding at the same time, every thing
that might impair our political rights,
or draw in question the dignity and in
dependent character of the state.
However NOR. entous speedy deci-
sion on this subject may be, when viewed
in connection with the general politics OF
the country, it is of no less Importance
when considered with reference to our
local interests. AS we expect to increase.
in wealth and numbers by the accession
Of citizens from other states, it is ous
true policy to remove every obstacle and
hold out every inducement to emigration,
Our unsettled political condition has all
ready prevented thousands from making
our country their home, whose capital
and productive labor, while they aug
mented the general stock, would have
divided and diminished the burden OF
taxation. Comparatively but a small
proportion of our soil is in state OF pros
duction if by encouraging emigrants to
settle and improve it, foreign wealth and
industry can be brought hither, land it,
self may be considered as an article OF
expectation, and will compensate for the
enormous drain Of the circulating me,