Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1841-01-21
GOVERNORS ADDRESS.
Geatlemen Of The Senate

becomes us all to reflect, seriously and deeply,
upon the extent and limitation OF the powers con
ferred, and the Just expectations OF tle poop"
and to form the fixed determination TO act with a
single eve to the general good, and with the soie
desire to advance the best interests ot onr consult
-uents and our State The administration oi me
powers of government is u great ana serious rus''
not lightly to be undertaken, or lndicrchtly per-
formed ; but calling, at all times, for the watchinl
care and faithful exertons OF all those to whom II IS
committed. Those views of the true end OF gov
eminent, which would contne the object ana OPP
Grafton of orr institutions 10 the mere purposes ct
defence against foreign domestic violence or
wrong and the collection of revenue to meet the
fiscal wants of an administration, have not com
,nended themselves to the sober judgment OF the
American people. The trainers OF our ConstIiu-
ton had higher objects. They regarded /! among
the first duties of government, to foster and pro-
tect all the great interests of the country TO see
that the Republic suffers no detriment by the neg
lect of ITS officers that the Ia VS. are framed with
special reference 10 the wants, empoyments and
necessities of the people, and to aid Gas Tar as The
powers delegated will justify the enterprise, m
dustry, and interests of the community. Such
views of government were early lmblbcd, and
have been steadily maintained by the advocates
of repubicanism; and reasonable and intelligent
people have a right to demand the full and faith
full development OF them, in the administration
of its powers. Such people do not ask Tor hearts
to will or hands to labor, for enterprise Ia plan or
industry to execute. They only ask for the coop
eration of government, and for those which they
cannot individually or collectively create or Sc
cure for themselves, and which can only be the
result of legislative action. No combination or
action of individuals give a sale, sure, and
we'll regulated currency, equal TO the wants OF
the people, based upon solid capital, uniform in
value, and adequate in amount to meet the de-
mand of the natural and healthy business of the
country. Experience has fully demonstrated
that a separation between the Government and
the people, in the vital matter of currency, is
equally unjust and mpra cticable that the sove-
reign power is not justified in demanding its own
7exactons IN the precious metals, and in abandon
ING all care or thought for the great interests of
the people-leavng them to struggle with de-
preciated, unsafe, and unregulaed currency
The idea of separate, and even opposite interests,
between n republican government and the people
who created and sustain it, has been so often re-
pudiated and rejected, that we confidently believe
that ulster views and more liberal principles, will
hereafter be the basis Of political action. There
is and there ought TO be. an intimate connection
an indissoube bond of union between the people
and the representative; and the first great duty
of legislator is to take broad and rchensive
views of all the wants and wishes of the people
the capacities of the State and the best constltu-
tional mode of developing its resources, strength
.ening its yscal and moral power, and Of pro-
Dor of its citizens. Some of the subjects which
will thus be suggested belong exclusively to the
General Government, but may properly fall with
in the limits of State legislation
The great doctrine of equality, which lies at
the foundation of our Republic, and which is cher
ished with so much honor by the American poo
pie, will, faithfully observed, lead to the enact
.ment of laws, universal in their nature and gen.
eral in their acquisitions, and to the rejection Of
all local. temporary, partial, or exclusive leglsla-
ton, uncaled for by the exigency of the country
or the true interests of the whole people. The
best security of individuals, under a representa-
tive government, is to be found in the practical
principles, that the representative and his const
uents and friends, must be bound by the laws to
which he assents and that no one can be so low
or obnoxious to be disregarded or oppressed,
and no one so high favored as to escape from
the requirements Of the general laws. No man,
or body of men, have any right TO a monopoly of
privileges, exclusive laws, framed for their
benefit but all men who demean themselves
good citizens, are equally entitled TO protection
and the enjoyment OF civil rights.
These general remarks may hear qtpon the two
great subjects which will come before you at the
present session---thc apportionment Of Represcn-
tatives and Senators, and the new valuation
the basis of future taxation, The people expect,
and have right TO require, that in apportioning
privileges, they Should be given to every section,
according to the provisions OF the Constitution,
irrespective of every consideration except equali
ty and convenience and that, in the imposition
of burdens, and the taxes demanded by law, the
same general principle Of equality, upon the basis
of the fair value of property, should be solely
earded. By firm and steadfast adherence to
the law of right and Justice, the wishes of fair
minded constitute nts will be answered. and their
confident hopes realized in both these important
measures, to which your particular attention will
doubtless be early directed.
The manifest intention Of the Constitutional
provision, that the powers of government shall be
divided between different departments, and that
no person belonging to one shall exercise any of
the powers belongn to another, would restrain
me from attempting to dictate or direct the sub
ects or course of legislation. But that instru-
ments makes it the duty of the Governor to give
to the Legislature information of the condition of
the State, and tn recommend to their consldera-
ton such measures as he may Judge expedient ;
and IN fulfilling this direction, wish to be re-
garded as performing duty strictly enjoned up
on me by my guide and directory in the discharge
Of my duties and ask and desire for my views
no other weight or influence than such as may be
entitled to upon full and sober consideration. In
my opinion, the great characteristic feature of our
Government, upon which, perhaps, more than
upon any other, the parPetaity of our institutions
and the security for regulated liberty depends, is
to be found in this careful and jealous distribution
of power, and this solemn and decisive admonl-
ton to each department, TO keep strictly within
its own limits, and to beware of infringing upon,
assuming the powers rghtfully belonging TO
another. With an undoubtng assurance, that
the rights, powers and responsibilities conferred
upon the Executive, for the exercise of which he
is responsible, will not your part he interfcr-