The Ohio Democrat. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1840-1900, 1841-12-16
GOVERNORS ELEsSAGE.
Gentlemen of the Senate, .....
and House Of Representatives:

constituents The year which has elapsed since the
meeting ofthe last General Assembly. has been mark
ed by blessings from the great Gver ofall good which
cannot fail 10 awaken in cur bosoms the iveliest graft
tude, and call ferth IN behalf OF the whole commons
wealth, humble and sincere acknowledgements Of the
continued favor and benefcence OF Divine Providence
The earth has yielded its accustoped fruits the labor of
the agrcuurisi has been'rewHdsd with plenty, aud u
sual health hussbssn the lotlof s+y portion of the
State. ....
ThO;peaceful relations fihe Union with all foreign
powers remain uudsturbed. Ifany exception existed,
10 the prospect Of continued peace, was TO be found
the arrest Of foreigner under the laws ofa neigh,
boring State This cause, however inadequate IN lis
self 10 produce any serious effect seemed, nevertheless
for while, to threaten rupture with Great Britain
Happily, however, for both countries all irritation a.
rising from that event has been removed, by tho quiet
and peaceful operation of law.
1t is in times of profound tranquility, when the peo-
pie are undisturbed by the tumults Of war; that the du.
ties ofenlghtened patriotism invite us TO the grateful
task Of giving depth and permanency to our free inst'
tutioHs. 1t is only at such periods that common-
wealth can hope to deliberate calmly and successfully
upon systems of poty, calculated TO stimulate industry,
BY giving legal assurance that it shall be protected in
the ENJOYMENT of its acquisitions; to strengthen tho gen
era morality, by laws which shall tend to suppress vice
and crime in all their iorms-to give energy and indie
pendence of character all classes. by which
will promote, far practicable, equality of cohdi'
on and thus establish rational liberty for ourselves, &
give hope ofits continuance for ages to come
Ofmeasures which contribute TO these ends, cduca-
ton compreheuding moral as well as intellectual in-
structiou is Of the first Importance, Under Constu.
lion like ours, which imparts 10 every citizen the same
civil rights education must remain subject Of Wis
tai interest," in reference 10 the general welfare of the
State 1--we are to trust the lessons of history
brought TO the conclusion that Government is, and al|
ways has been the most aficient Of all the causes which
operate forming The character and shaping the dssti-
nies Of nations Where the right Of suffrage is go un-
restricted with US, government is necessarily the off
spring of all the people, and will iehecte moral and
intellectual features of lis parent, with unvasYing hde~
If the specuations ofthe most profound thinkers had
left ua in doubt upon this interesting subject, the fam-
iarhsory ofhe last century alone, has furnished NUNS
and melancholy proofs, that no people, to whom
moral and intellectual cuuIe have been denied, arc ca.
pable of fachevng enjoying the blessings of rational
liberty, founded upon any system; which oieaies pop'
ular agency the conduct of public affairs So pro.
foundly impressed with this great truth, ~eTe the frs
mers ofour constitution, that they did not leave it TO
the judgments the future to decide. They did not
allow tho subject ofeducBtion remain in that class,
which might be IN after times adopted re- ected upon
the doubtful test ofexpediency. They incorporated it
into the Constitutions. In the Sd section Of the 9Th ar
tole ofthe Constitution, it expressly declared, that
'religon, morality, and knowledge being essentially
necessary to good government and the happiness OF man
kind schools and the ofnsructon shall forever
be encouraged by legislative provision, MOI inconss-
tent with the rights of conscience" In the schools,
the encouragement of which is thus enOed as al prop
subject of legislative provision is apparent that the
makers ofthe Constitution intended TO combine moral
with intellectual instruction. All experience and OBJ
ssrvaion Of man nature have shewn that merely IN
teIecfual Improvement, is but small sadvance lI the
accomplishment of a proper civilization. Without
morals, civilization only displays energy, and that the
more fearl. its powers and purposes, as i wants the
restraining and sofenng influences which give it d-
rection 10 objects ofutility or benevolence.
The object in view when present system oil com
mon schools was established by law. doubtless the
same embraced by the provisions of the Constitution
As the habits and opinions ofour population touching
the subject were exceedingly DIVERSE the system wsrk
ed its way favor in the public mrd under auspices
by no means favorable Hitherto, however, it has met
with little opposition in any quarter, and may be con-
sdersd pa the permanent policy OF the State.
Whilst therefore it would be both unwise and mprac-
cabe 10 attempt anyradcal change 1t obvious thai
experience will from time to time suggest improves
rnents. The law formerly provided Superintendent,
with powers of general supervision OF the schools
throughout the State This officer has been dispensed
with, and his duties transferred 10 the Secretary OF
State The time Of this officer and his attention, it is
obvious will generallYbe manly employed IN theprop
or duties ofSscretary of State submit to the egsa-
ure whether it not proper, even in necunary pon
ofyew 10 devoVe the duties of general Snpernten
dent of Common Schools upon ono, whose exclusive
business it shall be to discharge them. This officer
shsuldb be liberty TO visit the schools at different
poins in the State TO collect and report TO each success
sye legislature ample and statistical facts by
which the system can be thoroughly understood and
vigorously oniUrced. The reports from the County Au
dors required BY the present law, in some instances
are not made at ALL and in those instances where there
has been an effort 10 comply with the law, the inirrma
tisn given generally embraces only small portion o
those facts which is most necessary should be known
10 the superintendent as well to the Legislature.
earnestly recommend legislative provision, by whicl
lhs the system may DO more satisfactorily ad
misisterSd IN future.
The Public Works. in which the interest and true
glory Of The deeply involved have been prose
cuted with much rapldy could have been antlc
pated, from view of their condition at the opening
The year. The faith of the state having been pledged 4
10 the completion of the Wabash and Erie canal, with
in given time, and the work being one of great i'm
portance TO neg ghbor,ng state with whom compac
Sxsedon that sabject, the legislature very properly au
thorsed the Commissioners Of he Canal Fund, to oa
money for that object without restriction as 10 the in
,eres on such loans. Atthe time ofthe passage ofth
Inv ofhe last session authorizing loans, the debts he
due to contractors on all the Public Works were esti
mated at about FIVE hundred and eighty one thousan
dollars This debt with very small abatement IN q
mount had ak accrued prior to the meeting OF the la'
legislature, and should fave been paid within the la'
yehr. The Commissioners Of the Canal Fund nom
limited to Jeans at per cent? and such beng then me
impossible to be obained the debt was suffered 10 ac
cue and bad TO be provided for out of the resources
the present fiscal year. To discharge this debt, tn
Commissioners also empowered by the act Of tl
last sessltn to borrow. money without restriction as