Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1843-12-06
Governors Message.
EXECUTIVE DEPAR MENT,
CoLUM sIA. Nov. %, l643.


Gentlemen ofthe Senaet and House Of Rep
resentatiUeS:
Since your adjournment the late long
continued depression of financial affairs
throughout the world, has reached aud
passed, what we have much reason 10
believe, was its final crisis. During the
last Spring prices of every description fell
TO the Lowest point ever known. bui have
since continued steadily. though gradual
ly 10 advance. The revival Of business
has beeu The effect of accidental causes.
or speculative operations, or expansion of
the paper currency: nor is il owing 10 any
ac, Of legislation in any part Of The world
favorable 10 trade. 1t has been tie nhtur
al result of industry, economy, aud tIme'
which has swept of large pr"pnrllon oi
the embarrassments created by ne dlsas-
tiers of The past, aud accumulated at all
the great commercial points. in safe hands,
a vast and un .xanped amoun! OF sonnd
metallic capital. We have therefore good
reason to indulge The hope that 1t will be
permanent, and to feicll ate oursevds on
the dawn of uew era in trade aud tln-
ance.
There is but one serious obstacle now
apparent that can arrest aud roll back in
any short period, The retul ming Tide of our
prosperity, and that is, the narrow and
dslusive idea which still seems 10 prevail
with a majority Of those who rule the
world, tina, III y can promote The Interest
OF their respective countries. by lettering
trade and building up monopoies. Until
we seriously approximate to universal
Free rrade-to an unrestricted exchange
Of the surplus production of our county,
for The surplus of another, by which neaus,
the wants of all will be supplied in the
cheapest manner, and commerce, curren-
cy, aud credit established in Dalural and
enduring channels. The periodical recnr-
renee of specuaIions, fluctuations aud dis
asters, that will convulse the world, must
be looked for with perfect certainly.
II is a matter of congra,ulalion, that
England, the source and cenIre from
which have directly or indirectly sprung
nearly all the great Improvements ul mod
ern times, has given evidence of serious
change on this great question. Her re-
cen, legislation has been decidedly direct
ed towards relaxation Of her prohibiIIry
and protective laws. II is 10 be regretted,
at the same time. that nearly every other
important power in Europe. has within
few years past, iu its convu!sive efforts to
throw oil the embarrasSmeuis OF The
times, increased restrictions upon trade.
Whilst our own Government, recurring
to that policy which is every where else
regarded as the most od'ous features of ar
istocralic aud despoIic power, and held in
adherence by the p oplc, has re.enac'ed
its Tariff laws, and made them more rigor
Gus and oppressive than they have ever
been before. That Government like
ours, purporliong TO be based on perfect
freedom aud equality, should perpelrate
such laws; and that people SO intelligent
as ours-so dislrustful of their rulers-so
ready TO resist injustice, aud oppression,-
four-6fths Of whom are agriculturistS, all
deeply injured BY restrictions upon foreign
commerce-should permit such an execra-
Bile system TO he fastened On them, is one
of the most extraordinary events in the
history of the age. To the enlightened
views so rapidly gathering ground among
those who control the English Government
TO The progress of true knowledge a
moug the other States of Europe, and to
the change of power into other hands,
which is just about To be realized in our
country, | look with confidence for vast
amclirra'lon and early abandonment OF
the whole system Of protective duties.
In the mean lime il should be borne
constantly in mind, that any departure
from the great principles Of industry, e.
economy, and a steady faith, tha! with the
practice of these two cardinal virtues,
time will do the rest, must be attended
with the most serious consequences 10 our
future welfare. And perhaps no occasion
could be more uspicious than the present
for you to institute a close and searching
examination ioto the precise condition o
our State. in all its departments, aud in
roduce such alterations aud reforms a