New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1844-01-03
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.

bene6ciallv extended; the mud influence o. dl
enlightened religion has been felt far and near
| the force and effect of moral example ms Ieeh
very generally diffused; our constituents nave
been exempt from pestilential diseases; the yea
son has been propitious for agricultural Pfoelo-
tons. and commerce, manufactures, ana the d rs
have been successfully pursued: the ianguo anu
depression resulting from crisis OF great pecuu-
ary embarrassment, is passing away anu d iiio'5
| healthy state prevails in our business pursuits.
cannot but hope that we enter upon the ou1les De-
fore us with just sense OF gTattudeto Almighty
| God for the numerous blessings we have enjoyed,
and g proper appreciation OF our responsiveness
to the people. To US are temporarily committed,
so far as depends on legislation the interests and
wei. being of two and a half millions OF highly
intelligent and entcrprisng people; audit should
be our earnest endeavor as it is our solemn duty,
so to conduct their affairs, that they may fee! at
the conclusion Of our labors, that our assembling
together has been profitable. Experience has
shown a constant tendency to excessive legs!a-
ton. and it is not every inconvenience that can
be remedied by legal enactments. Every act OF
legislation should have regard to the public good
and every effort should be made to simplify and
cheaper all the operations Of Government and
| tighten the burdens Of the people.
In our government the power Of the People is
| delegated to representatives chosen by them
selves, and their duties are thus rendered hlghly
| delicate and responsible; there are indeed no
bounds to their powers, except those prescribed ny
| the Constitution, and to that instrument we
should yield implicit obedience.
! It was reserved for the American people TO de-
monstrate the practicabty, and fully to appre
ciate and soundly to apply the great principles
of popular government; and we should regard 1t
| as among our most sacred duties to transmit its
blessings unimpaired TO future generations. In our
widely extended country, with population ex-
ceeding seventeen millions, rapidly increasing,
and with interests diversified by many varieties
OF climate and pursuit. it requires forbearance,
magnanimity, and willingness to make mutual
sacrifices, to preserve the harmony and lneg-
| rity of the Union. Every citizen should regard
it to be moral as well as political duty
to conform strictly to the requirements OF the
organic law, and respect the reserved rights OF
the several States The federal Constitution
has now been in successful operation for more
than hall century, and although occasional en-
croachments have been attempted, they have
generally have been frustrated By the sound and
healthy corrective Of public opinion. There is
perhaps 30 better evidence of the stability and
peamanencv Of our political institutions, than the
fact that notwithstanding the rapid increase OF
| our population, and It's varied character the PEG
pie remain firm and mistaken IN faithful adj
herencc to the Federal compact. That lnsira-
ment NAV not in all respects conform to the
wishes of the People of all the States. 1t was
framed under wide diverslties Of opinion, and Was
adopted in that spirit OF compromise which at
this time commends itself most emphaucally to
the favorable consideration Of the People 1t IS
Justly regarded as the keystone of our political
fabric, and they who adhere with the strlctest Il
detv to its letter and spirit may be regarded as
the best friends of our political system. A prop
osition to remodel or change the essential iea-
lures OF the National Constitution by CONVEX
ton of the States has not yet found, and Is not,
trust, likely to find much favor with the people,
and is only seriously entertained by those who
are not duly impressed with its advantages or
friendly to the preservation of the Union.
The first Constitution of the State of New
York was formed by a convention of delegates
elected by The people in lit. It remained ua-
altered through the long period of forty four years,
except in the provision relating TO the llmita-
ton OF the number Of members of Assembly
and Senate, in reference to the true conslruc
ton of the twenty-third article, relative to the
right of nomination to Office. This change WIS
made by convention of delegates in 1901, un-
first Constitution was formed by a convention of
delegates assembled in the second year ofthe inde-
pendence of America at a period when the coun-
try was thinly populated, and under circumstances
of great embarrassment. The delegates were
without much practical experience in the sci
ence of government, and without the example Of
any existing institution based on republican prn
ciples to guide their deliberations To form a
Constitution under such circumstances which
should so well adapt itself 10 the subsequent
wants and wishes OF the people, IS a remark
able fac: in our political history. 1t has also
shown that the people entertain the opinion
that the fundamental law should not be frequent
ly changed, nor for light transient causes. It
was a defect in the Constitution Of LII, that ii
contained no provision for It's amendment. This
created the necessity for the Convention of 1921,
as the only mode of making amendments, which
had been demanded by the people That Con
ventIon assembled under favorable circumstances
| for grave elaboration, and it was composed OF
men combining talent and patriotism in degree
not exceeded, perhaps by any previous delibera-
tive body. 1t met not only the exigency of the
times, by removing the imperiectons in the organic
law which experience had pointed out, but it provi-
ded for future amendments. without the necessity
ola convention in mode entirely safe, practicable
and satisfactory. In this manner amendments
were proposed by the Legislatures OF 1925 and
90 providing for the election of Justices Of the
Peace by the people, and for the extension OF
the elective franchise by the Legislatures of 1882
and '33, providing for the election of the Mayor
Of the city of New York, by the people: by The
Legislatures of 1884 and So, to restore the auc-
ton and salt duties to the General fund; ana by
the Legislatures of 1887 and '3S, to give to
the people the election of Mayor in all the ci-
ties. Notwithstanding amendments to this ex.
tent have been proposed from time to time by The
Iegislature. and ratified BIZ the neonle there. ere