Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1837-10-04

vate character. Public conduct admits of
enquiry, discussion, and honest difference
of opion, and any mis-statement can be
easily rect6ed by an appeal to the public
records. But slch an examinaiion suits
not the vindictIve purposes of personal nos
niy. Private character must ever. be
sac i'iced, and the tongue, and the pen, and
the press, must be put il rcquisilion 10 min
ister 10 mongrel passion. 1t is easy TO cir
culate general denunciations Of social mis-
conduct, and it is ioollshly supposed that
such attain more general credit. 1t is for
the people of Michigan 10 express their
marked Misrepresentation of such a mode of
Ipoitical warfare, and by sustaining faith
ful public officer, despite the insinuaions OF
enyy--redcem the public press from being
the vehicle Of malicious defamation, and
place our future political contests on the
high ground Of public qualification, official
merit, and eleya,ed princi lies.
Cur intention, icllow-c citizens, in framing
this address. was sol ly, as the immediate
ncighbors of Mr.. Mason, 10 give public
rtfaia.ion of the p,any attacks made upon
MS character in different parts Of the State.
But we ak your indulgent attention TO a
brief ausion 10 some of his many official
acts, since you chose him as your chief
magistrate, and which, we conceive, entitle
him 10 your further confidence.
In republican government, where the
opinion of the people periodically passes in
Iiu lgunnt upoi their public functionaries.
the question ratu ally ariies-ifo,o havr
Our public SERVANTS discharged their trust !
Hue Giey done their duty Nth single eye
10 IRE common ,ceJfare? Aud, in relation
TO the Executive. if the incumbent is again
presented for public sufrage--Has he adj.
ministered his Office coasiitHtionqly, faith
| fully, and 10 tie advancement of the inter
eSts Of The State ? An affirmative answer
t, such in'errogations goes far to strength
en- the claims TO recollection. Apply the
lest TO Mr.. Mason. Where and in WIN,
has he erred ? What duty has lie omitted
In what respect has he overlooked any es
sen,ial inSrost of the State Rapidly
arising in Importance and increasing in
population at rate unprecedented, Michi
gan, at;er the adoption OF her Constitution,
and her admission into the Union. dcman-
ID from her rulers every exerion of wis.
dom and patriotism in order to secure her
permanent prosperity. No interest could
b. more important than the SUSTAIN of Ed
ucaiion required by the Constitution. To
this subject we find MIR. Mason devoted
advocate, and directing at the first session
ofthe legislature, the attention Of that body
to the speedy organization ofthc State Uni
versity, OF common schools, and The gradu.
al disposal of such portion OF the school
lands as would be necessary TO commence
imne late operation. Under his auspices,
lhe State University has been happily oca-
ted, and means adopted TO ensure the erec-
ton of appropriate buildings. and the com
mencemcnt of the main institution and the
necessary branches in different pats of the
state. The system Of common schools has
received Executive care, and no effort has
been spared 10 perfect, in spirit and in
truth, that great keystone in the arch Of
rational liberty-Generai Education. acih.
oft distinction Of SeciS, and acittoM refcreace
10 wealM or parery. The intelligence Of
the people is the bes, surety for the main
tenancc of their rights. Aad here where
the ballot box is opened to the poor as well
as the rich, to the farmer as well as 10 the
merchant, to the practical laborer as well
as to the luxurious heir Of fortune, how
necessary thatit should reflect, at all times,
virtue, knowledge and truth. By expand
ing and increasing the avenues TO nforma
ton, and not unjus " and unwsely restrict
ing them alone to the rich; by making ed.
ucation easy and cheap, all classes become
well informed. and an insuperable barrier
is erected against the willy encroachments
of vaul'irg and unholy ambition.
Next in importaace, was the internal
improvement of the State, by appropriate
ntercummunicaton between the interior
and lake navigation. Here we find Mr..
Mason equally active, liberal and jealous
in Recommending the great Improvement
by railroads nov undertaken, and proms
ing soon to be- in successful operation. BY
this policy, the waters OH our western Dor
dcrs will be brought within few miles o
our eastern shores the north and the
south, the east aud the west. and our many
interior villages, oil receiving the advania.
yes accruing from good roads, and the safe
and speedy transportation of pro luce.
Anticipating the rapid prostration OF the
wilderness, and is conversion into rich
farms aud smiling villages. Mr.. Mason.
with the view of ascertaining and spreading
before the public, the mineral wsalh o.
Michigan, recommended and induced the
legislature TO direct Geological Surrey o.
he State. This has been most happil,
commenced, under the superintendent o.
n distinguished scientific gentleman, and
already promises a rich result in the dis.
covery ofcoal, salt, and many highly valu-
able mineraLbcds,
Almost ever since the organization of the
territory until the present period, the laws
which have governed us i'll our dealings
with each other have been impoicnt. con.
Trajectory and confused. In the change TO
the condition of n State, every one looked
forward with solicitude to such revision
ofbte lars rs would remove doubt and dit
Iiculty in the construction, and methodze
aud simplify, for common understanding.
the rules of social action. 1t has eve'
been matter ofiusi complaint, that lcgis.
iatlon has been OF so diversified character,
as to comprehend in cumbersome and
scarce Volumes many important common
law and statutory provisions, bearing upon
all the common Transitions of life. Law.
4 =.