Piney Woods planter. (Liberty, Mi. [i.e. Miss.]) 1838-1840, 1840-01-18
MESSAGE
OF THE GOVERNOR TO THE LEGIsLA-
TuRE OF THE STATE OF MISS.



year. The products Of our fertile so
we're never more abundent. Herea
ter we will be dependent on our sistt
States, for but small portion Of tn
accessories Of life. We have cnjoye
the blessings Of peace both at home
abroad. The laws have been gene
ally executed without difficulty, an
acts oil lawless violence are not so nj
merous as heretofore. Our devou
thanks are due to an all Wise Prov
dence for the blessings we enjoyed
It's nevertheless true, that great dis
tress still exists; an immense mass Q
property has been sacrificed, and ma
ny OF our citizens have been forced {,
abandon the State. The price of cot
ton is reduced to near half the value i
bore twelve months since, and an i'm
mediate rise in either our domestic OF
foreign markets, is not anticipated.
The early period at which the last crop
has gone forWard-the forced sales OF
the previous crop held by monopolists,
who could hold on 20 longer, combined
with the disastrous results of the second
suspension of specie payments by ma
ny Of the banks in the Union, have
contributed to put down the price of
our great staple much lower, than the
quantity produced could have effected.
AT the spresent reduced price, many
articles can be manufactured at al
profit. which could not. when the raw
material was high. The growing of
cotton'in regions uncongenial to its
production, will be discontinued until
the price again advances; for at pres.
emf prices, it can only be cultivated
TO advantage on our richest lands. in
the heart Of the cotton region. We
may, therefore, calculate upon an in
creased consumption and a diminished
production; and at no distant day, pri.
ces will again advance to such an OK
tent. as to afford to the planter large
profit on his labor.
The climate and soil Of our State, is
better adapted to the growth Of cot
ton than that ofany State in the Union.
FULLY nine tenths OF our best cotton
land, is yet Wild and uncultivated, and
must soon attract the attention OF those
nov growing cotton in less favored re-
sSlpna. The sale of this waste land,
would greatly aid US in liquidating the
large debts we have iInprovidently
contracted, and | indulge the hope,
that the period is not far distant, when
the people will again become prosper
ous, and the State restored to her pro-
per station in character and crdit.
Much depends upon the action of
the present Legislature; TOO much re-
lance has heretofore been place upon
the action ofthe Federal Government,
and upon temporary measures offinan-
cial relief adopted by ourselves. 1t
affords me much pleasure to meet with
a new Legislature, fresh from the peo-
pie; many ofyou have not participated
m our previous Legislation, and we all
come here pledged to aid in reforming
abuses, which can be tolerated no lon
ger. The existing evils are deep
rooted; bold and decisive measures are
necessary to eradicate them. The /
greatest good Of the greatest number,
and the permanent welfare Of the
whole state should be consulted, rath
er than thesinterest of the few.-TheI
reliefofone portion of our fellow citi
zens, should not be attempted, when
detrimental to more numerous class
who have been less reckless in their OPP
CREATIONS, and have higher claims on
our sympathies.
The Revised Constitution has been
in existence for period Of more than
seventy years, and has fully answered
the expectations Of the people. 1t is
based upon the broad principle of G.
gal rights and equal privileges; and
recognises in its fullest extent. the ca
pability Of the people for self govern
ment. An amendment was submitted
to the consideration Of the people by
the Legislature, in the year 1888, pro-
posing the repeal ofthat portion ofour
fundamental law, relative to the intro
duction Of slaves into this State as
merchandise. The proposed change
was not adopted. Another amend
ment was proposed at the last session,
confering upon the Legislature, the
power Of giving to the Circuit Courts
Of each county equity Jurisdiction.
Not one tenth Of the electors of the
State, recorded their votes in favor of
the proposed change or against it.
These repeated failures to alter the
Constitution, conclusivcly prove, that
no change is desiredby the great mass
ofthe People. III true, that the Ma
tional and State elections usually abb
sorb every other question, and that a