Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1840-01-25
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
Gentlemen Of The Senate and
House of Representatives.

GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
Gentlemen of The Senate and
House of Representatives.:
The general health of our citizens was unusu
sy good during the past year. The products OF
our fertile soil were never more abundant. Here
aier VIC will be dependant on our sister States,
for but small portion oftho necessaries ofIllc.
We have enjoyed the blessings Of peace both
at home and abroad The laws have been &C.
nerally executed without difficulty, and acts oil
awless violence are not 50 numerous as hereto
fore. Our devout thanks arc due to an All.
Wise Prov idence for the many blessings we have
cnoyrd. 1t is nevertheless true, that grca,
distress still exists; an immense mass oil proper.
" has been sacrificed. and many of our citizens
have been forced TO abandon the State.-Ihc
price of cotton is reduced to near bali the value II
bore twelve mouths since, and m immediate rise
in either our domestic or foreign markets, IS not
anticipated. The early period at which ibo last
crop has gone forward---the forced sales of the
previous crop held by monopolists, who could hold
on no longer combined with the disastrous results
Of the second suspension of specie payments by
many of the banks in the Union have contrlbu.
ned to put down the price Of our great staple
have effected At the present reduced price,
MANY articles can be manufactured at profit,
which could not, when the raw material was high,
The growing Of cotton in regions uncongcnlal to
its production, vii, be discontinued until the
price again advances; for at present prices, It
can only be cultivated to advantage on our
richest lands, in the heart Of the cotton region.
We NAV, therefore, calculate upon an increased
consumption and diminished productions and a,
no distant day, prices 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 tho Union Fully nine, teuths Of our
best cotton land is yet wild and uncutvated, and
must soon attract the attention of those now
growing cotton in less favored regions. The
sale Of this waste land would greatly aid us 10
lquidating the large debts we have lmprovldenty
contracted, and indulge the hope, that the per- cd
lsnot far distant, when the people will again be-
come prosperous, and the State restored to her
proper station in character ind credit.
Much depends upon the action Of the pre-.
sent Legislature too much reliance has hereto
fore been placed upon the action Of the Federal
Government, and contemporary measures Of fl
nancla relief adopted by ourselves. Ii affords me
much pleasure to meet with new Legislature,
fresh from the people; many Of you have not par
tcpated in our previous Legislation, and We all
come here pledged to aid in reforming abuses,
which can be tolerated no longer. he existing
evils are deep rooted; bold and decisive meas
ures arc necessary to eradicate them. lhe
greatest good ofthc greatest number, and theper.
mancnt welfare of the whole State should be
consulted, rather than the interest OF the lew
The relief Of one portion Of our fellowci zens,
should not be attempted, when detrimental 10 a
more numerous class, who have been less reck-
less in their operations, and have higher claims
on our sympathies.
The Revised Constitution has been in eSls'
ence for period OF more than seven years, and
has fully answered the expectations Of the poo
pie. 1t is based upon the broad principle o
equal rights and equal privileges; and recognt
.es in its fullest extent, the capablty Of the people
Tor selfgoyernmcnt. An amendment was sub
mItted to the consideration Of the people by nc
Legislature, in the year 1888, proposing the re-
pea Of that portion Of our fundamental aw, reIa
tive to the introduction of slaves into this State
as merchandise. The proposed change wa'
not adopted. Another amendment was pfopos
ed at the last session. comforting upon the Legs
iature, the power Of giving 10 the Circuit Courts
oieach county equity jurisdiction, Not one.tenti
o. the electors of the State, recorded their vote
IN favoE OF the proposed change or against II
tnese repeated failures to alter the Constitution
ooncuslyely prove, that no change IS desired b.
me great mass Of the people. It IS true, tina
me National and State elections usually Absorb
every other question: aud that great majority
Of the people have heretofore failed torecord theI
FO'es either for or against the proposed changes
ana II IS very doubtful whether a majority o
nose voting for members o. the Legislature, ca
eyer be induced to vote on amendments, propos
Law.
am Of opinion tia; Convention viii not b
g "a, TOR many years to change the Constitution
ne people are well aware, that innovations do nc
Always prove salutary, and although defects ar
admitted to exist, they are not o: suficent magni
,ude, to warrant US in going INTO Conyentio
'of the purpose Of correcting them. Many Of til
eVits arising OFT Of cur present system, hav
oeen caused by our culpabe negligence
moulding the laws 50 As = conform 10 the requis
IONS of,he Constitution. deem il my duty
csl your special attention % the various sector
"a'cA REQUIRE your confederation