The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1842-12-01

GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
Gentlemen Of The Senate,
and of The HOUSE of Commons:

qualifications for the important trust con-
fided to them-to enact laws by which
they, as we'll as their constituents, are TO
be goyerned-is an occasion Interesting TO
the philanthropist, cheering to the friends
of rational liberty, and an able commenta-
ry upon the excellence of our political in.
stltutions.
To that Department of the Government,
assigned to superintend the due execution
Of the Laws, this assemblage should al
ways be acceptable, as atfording an oppor.
tunity TO show how the duties of that De.
partment have been discharged-to point
out the defects of the laws, which expert
ence has proven TO exist-and to suggest
such amendments and enactments as the
good of the community may require.
Such is the interesting occasion, fellow
citizens, which brings US together and,
in the name Of our common constituents,
| cordially greet you, and tender you my
hearty cooperation in the adoption and
execution of all measures that may rebound
to the welfare of the community.
Since the last meeting of your llonora-
BILE body, although PORTIONS of our State
have been visited with affection, and with
/ physical causes, destructive to the hopes
and labors of the Observation-Disclosures the
general health of the land, and the boun,e-
Gus productions of the soil, have been such
as to elicit the most profound gratitude to-
wards that Author, from whom all bless.
ngs flow, and to whose experimenting
Providence we are indebted for all we are,
and for all we hope 10 be. And it is our
especial duty, as II is that of every De-
partment ofeverv American Government,
earnestly 10 solicit continuance of those
peculiar lavors, which have rendered the
American people the blessed of the earth.
Within the same period, an event has
taken place, in tie death of our late Ia.
monted Chief Magistrate, which, while a
grateful people have mourned their be-
reavement, and suffering country felt the
affection, yet has it proven the foresight
of our Revolutionary sages, in the adop-
ton of our Constitution, and has tested its
wisdom and stability. A similar event, 10
=
lowed by resort to force, or, at least, to
extraordinary legislation, TO establish the
succession. With us, the successor, al.
ready indicated by the people themselves,
elides iuto the Chief Magisiracy, with an
ease and quiet on his part, and an acqujes.
cence on ours, tina, proves, how fortunate
it is for the human family, when, in the es-
adjustment of their forms Of Government,
they selected Wisdom, instead Of Ambl-
ton, for their counsellor. And, il is to be
tondly hoped, that every future test, like
this, will assure the friends of cur form of
Government, of its strength, aud its enc
mics, how deusiye the hope of its de.
struction.
The result of the late Treaty with Great
Britain, gives US pleasing prospects Of con-
tlnued peace and, however widely some
OF us may differ from the President, as TO
the manner in which he has discharged a
portion Of his duties, yet the need Of praise
IS due to him, for his earnest and success
4 fui efforts, sustained and carried through
BY the eminent abilities of his distinguish
cd Secretary, to adjust our difficulties with
that Power upon principles Of Honor and
of Justice. Nor is it to be believed, that
the good, arising from this adjustment, will
be confined TO the parties Immediately
concerned. The noble example, set by
two Of the most powerful, intelligent and
honorable nations of the earth, in adjust.
Ing their difficulties, by resort to argu-
ment, instead of arms, will be worthy the
imitation Of every member constituting the
great family Of nations.
The history of nations ought TO have
taught, and it is hoped has taught tho pres
ent generation, that that good which arises
from the guidance Of reason, and the die
4 taics Of justice, Is more beneficial and per.
\ manent, than that which results from the
most brilliant triumph of arms, victorious
over right and justice.
In inviting your attention to such mat
tiers, as ought to engage Your dcllbcration,
during your present Session, refer you
10 the first Article of our Constitution, as
amended, whereby il becomes your duty
at this Session, to lay off the State into
Senatorial Districts, and TO apportlon the
representatives in the House of Commons
among the several Counties of the State.
The rules by which you are TO be guided
in the discharge Of your duties, are 50 ex-
/ pIicitIy laid down in the Constitution itself,
as TO preclude all suggestions on the
/ subject.
! At the last Session Of Congress, an Act
was passed, to apportion the Representa-
ttlves among the several States, according
to the sixth Census. By this Act, the mum.
Der Of Representatives, to which North
Carolina is entitled, is reduced from thir.
teen to nine. 1t therefore becomes your
duty, TO lay off the State into nine Con-
grcssional, and eleven Electoral districts.
In the discharge of this duty, Justice to the
citizens ofevery part ofthe State, demands,
that the districts shall be laid oif, as near.
ily equal in Federal Population as il is
practicable to make them, aud that they
shall assume such shape, as shall be most
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