Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1839-01-19
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
Gentlemen Of The Senate and
III 2 u - - /,

Il Gentlemen Of the Senate and
House Of Representatives.:
The events Of the past year are well calculated
n awaken our attention. The season was unpro-
nitous to the growth of our great staple, and the
cost of its production so much enhanced by the de-
nracia0n of our currency, as to leave hui Scanl
ppro6ts 10 The Planter We have, however, been
blessed BY the Giver of all Good. with m abundant
bpnest OF grain and the enjoyment OF better health
than usual Perjury is unknown in the land-the
clements of our wealth reman-uuwise legislation
Fl has brought upon us great calamity. For about
two years the planter and merchant have alike SUI
Gred. Every Indication warrants us IN expecting
better times-confdence is nearly restored NloS
Of our banks have resumed specie payments and
he residue will be compelled 10 follow the example
or to close their business.
The price of cotton has advanced fully ffly per
cent, and the crop OF last year will, no doubt, sell
Tor as much as that Of 1887 sound currency will
greatly diminish the cost of its production. Indus
try, prudence and economy will relieve the dis
resses olthe country. Experience has taught US
sautary lesson; and it is incumbent upon US 10
guard against the recurrence OF evils similar TO
those which have afflicted tie country for the past
two years.
Our amended Constitution has been in operation
about six years More liberal in its provisions than
bnse of our sister States, it leaves to the people the
periodical election oil all their officers, and has real
we'd the expectations Of lis trainers Our Judicial
and Executive officers are fully equal to those che
sen in different manner. No code of laws has yet
heen enacted to carry cut its provisions aud qual-
fcolions having been repudated, and ashort resi-
dence and mature age being the sole passports 10
the ballot box and to Office, It IS essential to our
happineSS aud the preservation OF our liberty, 10
provide sufficient means and proper Inducements to
ensure the education OF every child IN the State.
Our resources art ample, and every citizen IS inter-
eSed 10 the intellectual advancement OF those who
will hereafter control the desIlnies OF the coun ry.
Common schools should be established in every
township having a sufficient number Of scholars to
authorize the employment OF a teacher. The chIl-
dren of tie rich aud the poor could there acquire
learning sufficient 10 qualify them for the ordinary
avocations of life, free OF charge. light tax on
the property in the township together with the
funds arising from the rent of the schno sections,
and the Literary Fund, already distributed would
be amply sufficient to defray the expense. The
Constitution enjons upon us the encouragement ol
Schools and requires US to provide the means OF cd
ucatlon.
The Seminary Fund now amounts to three hum
dred and fourteen thousand one hundred ana ioIty-
six and twenty four .hnndredths dollars, exclusive
OF interest and half section of land This fund
has accrued from the sale of thrtv-Slx sections oil
land, donated by the General Government to the
State, The notes are, generally, well secured, but
many Of them have been long under protest. They
are deposited in the Planters Bank, and the Audi
tor of Public Accounts is entrusted with their col.
lection. The late Auditor John II. Mallory, has
embezzled portion Of the fund, and il is requisite
that further provision be made for lis security. Inc
terms oil the grant seem to forbid DIVISION OF lhe
fund, and the best interests OF tue State require me
immediate establishment of the Seminary. II
ho ot.,l I,,lr md
ion where living is cheap A sufficient amount
could be realized, the present year, to erect suitable
buildings. Two hundred thousand dollars might
De retained, and the interest used to pay the Pro-
lessons, and other incidental expenses. In lew
years the University would furnish an ample supply
Of good teachers for our Free Schools Unless the
University is speedily established, OF the law prov'
ding for the collection oil the fund changed large
portion Of it may be lost. Many OF the drawers Of
me notes are dead, and others have removed out OF
the State The whole fund could be safely manag-
ed by the Regents OF the University. SeciaIan
ard party influence should be guarded AGAINST, and
the benefits of the institution for ever secured 10
every portion OF the people OF the Stale. lie I'M
me0se SUMS annually expended abroad by our cill-
zens, IN the eduraun OF their children, takes away
mach Of our means, aud operates inJarlauSly III our
welfare. Situations as healthy can be ioud III our
own borders as elsewhere, and education can be as
eheapy obtained Our youth should never be laI re-
moved from parental upervison-patrlotsm no
Jess than economy, urges upon US the duty o. educa'
ting our chdien at home. In early hie the stron-
gest impressions are made, Those opposed 10 us IN
principle, and alenated in interest, cannot safely he
entrusted with the education OF our SONS and daugh-
tiers.
Jefferson College is the Oldest institution, Of the
klnd, in the State 1t is well endowed, boa has ne
yer been in very hourshng condition, and lor
some time past has been closed. Eminent PROBES
sors have lately been elected TO take charge OF the
institution Ii is to be hoped that it may yet flour
sl, and send forth scholars useful to the State, ca
pable Of adorniLg any station, and Of emulatng the
iSne Of the lustrous statesman whose namclt bears
Inc correspondence herewith Submitted, viii place
you possession of the present situation Of the col
ege The property owned by the institution
amounts 10 the sum OF two hundred and forty eight
thousand seven hundred and forty eight dollars and
imrty nine cents sufficient amount is available
70 pace il in a situation to b. eminenty useful to the
STATE. The high literary attainments and unblem-
iShed integrity Of the President and Professors cho
sen to conduct tile coIege, will soon place il Oh a
permanent basis. The charter makes the Cover
nor Of the State ex oFicio President OF the Board
o Trustees. | was present at the meeting OF Ihe
DI4d GA lie 21t OF OeiObef iasi. and aliee N Inc
selection OF the present faculty. 1t affords me eat
pleasure to be able to inform YOU that large malor-
ny oil The trustees are decidedly opposed To placing
&c institution unAsr ssetarian influence and all of