Litchfield enquirer., 1841-05-13

ReSOLUe6, That a committee OF three De aPEMhn'e'
to revise the standing rules OF the House. Messrs
Bacon, Phelps, and Bangs were appointed
Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed
to with committee Of the Senate, in revising M
joint rules OF the Senate and House. Messrs smith
Dowd, and Trott were appointed.
| The Joint committee appointed to canvass the vote'
for state officers, reported. Report accepted,
Messrs Smith, and Phelps, were appointed to wal
on the Governor with the committee Of the Senate,
inform him that the Legislature was organized
On motion, adjourned till P. NJ
3 O'CLOCK, P. NJ.
The two Houses met in convention to receive the
Governor He took the oath Of Office from Chief Jus
tice WILLIAMS, after which he addressed the ConVen
ton as follows:
GOVERNORS SPEECH.
Fezlo,o- Citizens Of the Senate
and Of the House of Representatives
The annual assembling Of the Representa-
tives of free people, is spectacle OF rare
occurrence in the history of mankind, and
one that gives enviable distinction to this re-
publican nation. Most governments have
had their origin in violence or accident, been
sustained by undelegated power, and admin.
istered with too little regard to the general
good ours, on the contrary, is government
chosen by the people, established on princl.
pies most favorable to their interests; and
in its administration by themselves, most be-
neficial in its effects upon their well-being.
now to occupy our attention and we are
not qualified to enter upon the duties before
us, if we are not sensible of our peculiar pri-
vileges, and vigilant to maintain them for
those who come after US.
Since the last session, our nation, amount
ing to eighteen millions of people, by the
quiet exercise of the elective franchise, has
changed the general administration, and
manifested wish to alter the policy, which
for some time, has distinguished its measures.
The event argues we'll for the stability of re-
publican governments, and the moral power
of public sentiment, in these United States.
With great and almost unexampled unanl-
nifty, the country called from retirement, a
placed at her head, to accomplish the objects
of the change. With true devotion and ar
dent desires for his country's welfare {;
strong in the affections and confidence of his
felIow.citizens, he entered upon his duties
with fattering prospects of life and useful.
ness With him he united in council, states
men most worthy of the honor ready to CO.
operate with him, in measures which wisdom
might dictate. What he would have &C
complished had his life been continued how
far he would have carried out principles
avowed ut the opening Of his administration,
and to what extent restored harmony and
prosperity to that country, in whose defence
he had so often periled life, it is not permit
ted US to know but his whole life, public
and private his great wisdom, tried patriot
ism, honesty and intelligence, gave sa.isfac-
tory assurances, that his administration
would not have disappointed our hopes, but
have invigorated the constitution, for which
he uttered his last wishes, strengthened the
union and poured blessings upon the nation.
But, God having ordered otherwise, has re.
moved him from his high station, under cir
cumstances most affecting and impressive.
We feel the disappointment. We mourn
the loss. We bow with submission to that
Holy Providence which orders all events in
wisdom, respecting the welfare of individu-
ais and nations. His dying injunction to
have the principles of the constitution un-
derstood and carried out" will be duly i'm
pressed on the mind of the eminent person
who has succeeded, by this event, to the
chief magistracy a statesman, long distin.
guished in our public councils, Of profound
experience, spotless integrity, liberal and
enlightened views, and attached to the poll.
cy, guaranteed by his predecessor. With
deep interest we shall watch those who are
intrusted with our national affairs. They
may not be able Immediately to surmount
! the difficulties which encompass their path,
| and at once restore confidence and prosperi-
ty: but we may reasonably and safely cal
culate upon all that can be accomplished by
distinguished abilities and unrcmitted devo-
ton to the public veal.
The constitution of the United States has
committed to the general government many
important interests OF the individual states
Their foreign trade, their national currency,
and public domain are chiefly committed Il
the exclusive control Of Congress, but are
not SO foreign to state legislation that we
may not express to Congress the wants OF
our constituents, and point out the evils
which they suffer or apprehcnd from nation.
al measures.
Having on former occasions presented to
! the Assembly my SENTIMENTS upon the above
mentioned, ana kindred subjects, | will not,
at this time. recaptulatc. But will take &C.
casion to acknowledge the pleasure il affords
me $50 far as may infer from this renewed
expression Of confidence) that my opinions
are in accordance with those OF so great a
majority ofthe people of Connecticut. And
would add. after such unequiyocal indica-
tons OF extensive dissatisfaction throughout
the country. with the policy of the late ad-
ministration, there can be no disposition on
the part of our present chief magistrate. or
his councillors, to persevere in measures
which have proved untavorable to general
prosperity, and left perplexity and distress in
their course. II there be any reason to be-
lieve taat our own representatives are not