Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1838-01-17

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faculties, and soon undermines the consti-
tuition; nor is it believed, if this objection
did dot exist, that the public would consent
to direct taxation for the entire support of a
state prison. We must then from necessi.
ty engage the convicts in productive labor.
But If possible, we must guard against in
juriously affecting the mechanical trades of
the state. The prisoner, who is a mechan-
ic at the time of his conviction, might still
be employed in his usual occupation for
by SO doing, you would not increase the
aggregate amount of labor in his particular
branch Of trade: and if the end to be &C.
complshed is the reformation of the often.
der, the mechanical interest could not CD.
pose it, as when discharged, he would be
free to enter into trade again. But in all
cases, when a trade is taught to the convict,
he should be confined to those branches
from which the country is supplied by I'M.
portations from abroad. No complaint could
be urged against this by persons afterwards
embarking in the same occupation, for they
would engage in 1t, underan existing state
Of things, and would have no right to urge
the destruction of the system. But as the
convicts in this state, will for long time,
be ENGAGED in constructing the necessary
buildings for permanent penitentiary,
the day may be considered remote, when
the evils to be apprehenled from state
prison monopoly, can arise. In maturing
your system, however, you should guard
against this contingency, although remote
and distinct.
The President of the United States has
recommended the passage of an act of Con-
| gress for the benefit Of pre.emption claim
ants to the public lands in the western
states. This recommendation is demanded
by that hardy and enterprising class of cit
liens, who, invited by Congress, have set.
tied upon the public lands and it is also
due to them and the president, that the le.
gisature of this state should second re-.
commentator, which, if successful, has a
tendency to bring our vacant territory into
the hands of actual settlers. In connexion
with this subject, beg leave to state, that
many Of the state locations of lands author
lied by the grant'of Congresshave conflict
ed with private claims, and that many of
those claims may be recognized without in.
jury to the pubic. A special message,
however, will be communicated on this sub.
ject, based upon the report of the superin.
tendent of Public Instruction, who has in.
quired into the number of private claims
that may be yielded to without detriment to
the fund under his charge.
The Legislature at its extra session, which
has Just closed, has had under consideration
revision of the laws, and have completed
such parts as were submitted by the reviser.
There remain, however, several important
matters which require your consideration |;
these are the regulation of courts and fees,
the limitation of actions and prosecutions,
and provision for the relief of insolvent and
imprisoned debtors. And beg leave here
to state, that ] cannot permit this occasion
to pass without again expressing my con-
viction that the entire abolition of imprson.
ment for debt, is at once due, both to the
rights of personal liberty, and to a wise
and equal dispensation of justice among all
classes of citizens. My views upon this
ii absorbing topic have been fully present.
cd to your predecessors. But where per-
sonal liberty is at stake, where the oppres-
sion of the poor and unfortunate, call for
your protection, where equal justice is to be
extended to every citizen, the additional aid
of an executive recommendation cannot be
needed to ensure the prompt action of an
enlightened legislature.
also conceive it my duty to invite your
attention to the present state of our militia.
Under the existing state of things, the whole
system is falling into disrepute, and unless
some reformation is speedily adopted, any
attempt at an organization of the militia of
this state must be abandoned. Too little
interest is generally felt in this important
department of state policy. But it is man.
ifest under our republican form of govern.
ment, that in the event of war, the chief
dependence of the country rests with the
citizen soldier, and unless it be made part
of the policy of each state, to discipline the
militia and perfect their organization, they
will in the eventof emergency, be found to.
tally inadequate for all the purposes Of ma.
tlonal defence. Our people are competent
as soldiers for any service, as their history
proclaims but raw and undscipined ar
my, though composed Of freemen, contend
against fearful odds, when opposed to regu.
lar troops, and they even the hireling slaves
of despot.
For the purpose'of introducing more
perfect discipline, in our militia, would re-
commend the creation of school of in.
struction for officers. Frequent officer
drills should be required and chief drill
officer of the state appointed, whose duty
it should be to attend each muster and con-
duct the drill himself as instructor. Every
encouragement should be given to the or.
ganization of volunteer corps; they should
be exempted from certain burthens of gov.
eminent as an inducement for volunteering,
and each company should be furnished with
army and camp equipage at the cost of the
state. They should be required to do camp
duty three days at least in each year, and
should receive from the state marks of hon.
or for excelling in appearance, and for per-
lection in drill. Your attention is also di-
rected to the organization of the different
departments of divisions and brigades and
the general staff.
Entertaining, fellow citizens, an anxious
and confident hope, that the result OF your
deliberations will tend to promote the last
ing prosperity of the state we represent,
offer you in conclusion, the assurance ol
my diligent and faithful cooperation in the
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