Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1840-01-21
VOLUME VII
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
Gentlemen Ofthe Senate and

ne general health OF our citizens was /
unusually good during the past year. The
products ofour fertile soil were never more
abundant. Hereafter we win be depend
ant on our sister States, for but small |
portion ofthe necessaries Of life. We have
enjoyed the blessings of peace both at !
home and abroad. The laws have been |
generally executed without difficulty, and |
acts Of lawless violence are not so numer-
Gus as heretofore. Our devout thanks arc |
due to an All-Wise Providence for the
many blessings we have enjoyed. 1t is
nevertheless true, that great distress still
exists; an immense mass of property has
been sacrificed, and many of our citizens
have been forcefto abandon the State.-
The price ofcotton is reduced to near half
the value it bore twelve months since, and
an Immediate rise in either our domestic or
foreign markets, is not anticipated. The
early period at which the last crop has
gone forward-the forced sales of the pre-
Eious crop held by monopolists, who could
hold on no longer, combined with the dis
'astrous results of the second suspension of
specie payments by many 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 ef-
fected. AT the present reduced price,
many articles can be manufactured at q
profit, which could not, when the raw ma
ierial was high. The growing of cotton
in regions uncongenial to its production,
viii be discontinued until the price again
advances; for at present prices, 1t can
only be cultivated to advantage on our
richest lands, in the heart of the cotton re-
gion. We may, therefore, calculate upon
an increased consumption and diminish
ed production and at no distant day, pri.
ces will again advance to such an extent,
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 cotton than
that Of any State in the Union Fully
nine tenths Of our best cotton land, is yet
wild and unculivated, and must soon at
tract the attention of those now growing
cotton in less favored regions. The sale
of this waste land, would greatly aid us in
liquidating the large debts we have improv.
identity contracted, and indulge the hope
that the PERIOD is not far distant, when the
people will again become prosperous, and
the State restored TO her proper station in
character and credit.
! Much depends upon the action Of the
present Legislature; too much reliance
has heretofore been placed upon the action
ofthe Federal Government, and upon tenn
porary meUwres of financial relief adopted
by ourselves. affords me much pleasure
to meet with a new Legislature, fresh from
the people; many of you have not partici
pated in our previous Legislation, and We
all come here pledged to aid in reforming
abuses, which can be tolerated no longer
The existing evils are deep rooted; bolc
and decisive measures are necessary 4
eradicate them. The greatest good of thu
greatest number, and the permanent wei
fare Of the whole State should be consul
ted, rather than the interest of the few
The relief Of one portion of our fclow.cit
liens, should not be attempted, when dctri
mental to a more numerous class, VIII
have been less reckless in their operations
and have higher claims on our sympa
; thies.
The Revised Constitution has been i
existence for q period OF more than seve
n years, and has fully answered the expec
: tations Of the p ople. 1t is based upo
= the broad principle of equal rights an
, equal privileges; and recognizes in its fu
It lest extent, the capability of the people fc
q self government. An amendment wa
:, submitted to the consideration of the pee
. pie by nc Legislature, in the year 1873;
! proposing the repeal of that portion Of OF
fundamental law, relative to the introduC
. ton of slaves into this State as merchar
Il disc. The proposed change was NJ
l. adopted. Another amendment was pr
ty posed at the last session, comforting upo
z the Legislature, the power of giving to Il
al Circuit Courts ofeach county equity juri
ID dction. Not one-tenth of the electors
of the State, recorded their votes in favor
,e the proposed change or against it. The
az repeated failures to alter the Constitutio
IS conclusively prove, that no change is d
= sired by the great mass of the people.
= is true, that the National and State Gle
d tons usually absorb every other questio
PC and that a great majority Of the peep
ne have heretofore failed to record their vut
m either for or against the proposed chan
I'd es, and it is very doubtful whether m
y ority of those voting for members Of 4
or Legislature, can ever be induced TO VIC
ct on amendments, proposed in pursuance
the provisions of our Organic Law.
am of opininn that Convention W
y not be called for many years to change t
Is Constitution. The people are well awal
!; that innovations do not always prove sal
bt tary, and although defects are admitted
or exists, they are not os sufficient magnituC
r. to warrant US in going into a Conventi
er for the purpose Of correcting them. Ma
If of the evils arising oct Of our present sy
Of TEN, have been caused by our cul pal
no negligence in moulding the laws so as
- conform to the acquisitions ofthe ConsIit
~ ton. deemit my duty to call your ST
- cial attention 10 the various sections viii
no require your consideration.
~ In most of the acts Incorporating q
he cities and towns, Executive, Legislati'
OF and Judicial powers, are blended IN
eP Mayors and Presidents Of Selectmen.
III This is clearly in contrayention of the
en- cond article Of the Constitution. tim
all well be questioned whether the benel
&C. arising from the incorporation of many
=. AN, fotvna connonsafe the neonle for