The Ohio Democrat. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1840-1900, 1842-12-22

have always promptly paid the interest on OWr
debt, and no fears a, entertained that we will
not be able 10 do so hereafter; and the doctrine
Ufrepudlaton has found no advocate wllhIn
the limits Of our State. When we first COM
menced our system Of inIetnIl improvement,
and it b4came necessary 10 borrow mOOey tn
carry 1t Ou, we, at The same tune. adopted the
policy Of raising, annually, by taxation, cuff.
cjenlt u pay punclually the interest on our
debt. This Is the true and settled policy of
the State, and 1t has been owing to this that
we have preserved our credit and met our en-
gagements. 1t has been owing to The want Of
a similar policy, that the non-Pay 'ng States
have failed to pay their interest, which has go
much shaken The public confidence indiscrm-
inately in all State obligations. With our
present and rapidly increasing RESOURCES, aud
the known determination Of the citizens of the
State to apply them 10 the faithful fulflment
Of all our public engagements. We have every
reason TO believe that the credit Of the State
will soon recover from its present depF ession.
and be duly appreciated both al home and a.
broad
The creditors on the public works ate en-
titled 10 your special cons Iteration Fhe law
Oflast session, although il was we'll n;ende6
at the time, and believe 10 be sufficient 10 .ea-
able the Slate 10 meet the demands of THE
class OF our creditors, experience has shown
was made quate for the purposes intendsd.-
This me riIorlous GLASS of CREDITORS have spent
their time, labor and money, in the service Of
the State, and many of them are greatly en-
barrassed for the want Of funds long since due
them. Justice requires, at The hands of The
Legislature, that ample provisions be made to.
meet promptly their just claims. 10 doing this,
The most certain and economical plan should.
be devised, and one which, al the same tme;.
would not impair the credit Of the State.
In closing my remarks on this OCCASION.
permit me to call your attention 10 the true na-
ture Of our peculiar and happy form Of govern.
ment, which ought 10 be deeply impressed on
the minds of all, 90 that its advantages may
be duly appreciated, and proper means used
for its preservation. Our Safe government
is a representative democracy, formed by the
people, themselves, for their benefit, and moul-
ded according to their will and pleasure. They
have adopted The representative system in or
der to avoid the trouble and expense, in an ex-
tended territory, having large population, Of
meeting together, as in some o. the. ancient re>
pubIIcs, and expressing their will, in person,
as TO public measures. Each representative
and senator, is clothed with the important and
highly responsible trust of depressing the will
and wish ofhs constituents on all matters Of
legislation which may be brought 10 his con-
sideration. The people have provided in the
organic law of !he State how The public win
shall be expressed, how it shall be executed.
BY the theory ofour government, The will of q
majority Of the Legislature, 90 long as thar
body keeps within the constitution, 10 presum-
ed TO be the will of the people; and shhoush
this may not always be true in practice, vet
any supposed variation from the public will,
by majority ofihe representatives of the peo.
pie, will not justify any other mode ofredress
than that provided by the people, themselves,
in the form and organization Of the gove.u-
ment they have adopted. lfenors are com.
mited by majority, the wisdom of our insti>
iuons has provided peaceful and orderly
remedy in the bsHot box. Whatever wrongs,
If any, may be perpetrated by the majority OF
the representatives, we may reet assured, win
be speedily remedied by The PeopFe themsel-
yes, 10 the mode and manner known to the
conetituton. Such conceive to be the char.
acter Of our representative form of govern
meut ltis based on the great prime ipIe that
lies at the foundation of all public liberty, that
the will Of the majority, when constitutionally
expressed shalt govern. Destroy lh is prn-
cipe. and you de, troy free government, pros
trste our popular Institutions, and lay the axe
at the root Of civil evil liberty.
For the firs, time in the history of our State
we were called upon to witness, at the extra ses.
sion of the Legislature, in July last, sue.
cessfal attempt, on the part ofthe minority, to
contro and paraIize the will of the majority.
By the concerned and Simultaneous resignation
Of thirteen Senators and twenty ight members,
Of the House of Representatives, the wifi Of
q majority was arrested, the Legislative branch
Of the government was broken and dissolved and an appeal
made the minority TO the people to susArths assault on their
government Had thsbeen done body armed men
ing these halls and expeng the with the bayonet
sword, would have been denounced by all olutonay
not because the bayonet and sword had used as ns
mens TO- accomplish the end but beeause would have ami
ated ana destroyed the most important branch of govern
ment If the same end is accomplished by armed citizens
but by membe Of the very body sought be destroyed by
some less violent means, It Is revolutionary II
be said that the members General Assemble bave
right to resign. This qualified right and must be exeu
csed in good faith and for usfabe purpose and not with
view Ofposratng arresting for The time being tho very
| government they are sworn TO support # f.
do not aude TO these transactions a. sprt Of rnkinHA
ness nor with the view of duplicating motives of apv
but for the sole purpose Of warning my fellow citizens gnin
an act which, If should become precedent will lead IN