Wisconsin herald, and Grant County advertiser. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1844-1845, 1845-01-11
Governors Mesa &c.

ests OF this great and growing Territory.
am happy 10 meet with you on this occasion,
and 10 communicate such views as seem 10
me proper In relation 10 those interests. In
orr respective departments we have high and
responsible duties TO perform. Upon you de-
wolves the duty Of enacIing wise and whoie-
some laws; upon me, that Of seeing them faith
fully executed. So far as my cooperation is
required 10 the enactment Of laws. you will
find in me disposition to harnonize in your
Legislative action. and TO appreciate your pa.
tri0tic motives,
10 viewing the condition of our Territory,
we have reason TO rejoice at the bright pros
pect that opens before US. We have coun-
try upon which tho Almighty has showered
His choicest blessings and scattered His boun-
ties with liberal hand. With a soil rich and
luxurian, with every variety Of timber and
prairie-with copious supplies Of the purest
waier-wih mighty inland sea on our east,
and the " Father of Rivers" on our west
with exemption frnm the burden Of a heavy
debt and consequent taxalion--and above all,
with climate Of proveIbial salubriy, we pos
sess every advantage that man could desire
| for The promotion Of our agricultural. CONNER.
cial and manufacturing int ests.
We have also people who. for Industry,
intelligence and perseverance, are unsurpassed
by any that have preceded them in telling the
trees Of Tho forest, or turning the sod Of the
prairie. Their enlerprsing and adventurous
spirits have brough, them together, not only
from every quarter Of our own land, but also
from the countries beyond the sea. Many
have severed the most endearing Ties; aban.
doned the Joyous scenes Of childhood and of
youth. and tho hallowed associations Of nper
years; TO embark their interests in this West.
ern land. May their most sanguine expecta-
lions be more than realized God forbid that
lealouses and dlssenIions should spring up
amongst them 10 mar their concert OF action
But, united by sense Of common interest
and common destiny, may they move smooth
ly onward. 10 an uDobslructed path, to prosper.
ity and greatness.
In the capacity Of Representatives, you can
do much towards aIlaying all iealousies, and
promoting general harmony. Strict economy
in the public expenditures and in the admins
ration Of the Government, and making the
burdens Of the people as light as possible, will
contribute much to this end. The enterprise
Of our population is generally great and their
means limited. They shonld not be taxed,
therefore, beyond what tho exigencies Of the
public service require. Ia eifec,ng these OBJ
iects, you shall receive my cordial co-opera.
lion.
The action Of the Legislature has been in
vited on divers occasions, by our predecessors
to take the necessary steps for the formation
Of State Government. Reasons were assign.
cd by lhem at large in favor OF such a meas
ure. The question was finally submitted TO I
tho people under legislative sanction, at the .
recent election. aud they decided against it,
DESTROYS of conforming my action TO an ascer-
tanned public sentiment, il would no, become
me at this time. TO renew that recommendation.
| do not however, deem il out of place, 10 al
lude 10 an Act passed by the last Legislature,
in relation TO tho qualifications OF voters for /
Stale Government, aud the election Of Dele
gates 10 form a State Constitution. congrat-
ula,o you on the putting TO rest, IN this man.
ner, o. that important question. The adop- !
ton, by decided majority OF both branches
of the Legislature, of the enlightened and con-
sliiutional provisions Of tina, Act. will con-
tribute TO the harmony of our growing popula.
lion, and facilitate lhs organisation OF whole.
some State Government, whenever that impor.
tan, step shall be deemed necessary. Entire
unanmiiy, upon any great question Of public
policy, is not TO be expected; much less, up
on one affecting so many delicate aud valued
interests as the qualification Of voters IN this
Territory. Yet, stripping the subject OF mis-.
representation and prejudice, apprehend there
is less ground for difference than is generally
supposed. | have no doubt Of the right Of
The Legislature to pass such law. as we'll
under the ordinance of 1887. as on general
principles, where The People in their prlma'
~ capacity, undeunko the organization OF
new government. Bot, without intending 10
argue The question, will only observe that hav-
ING been called, on various occasions, both In
public and private life. to express and defend
the principles secured by that law, cannot
now consent 10 recommend any material modi'
6ca,ion or change of these principles, without
doing violence TO my own, and 10 my long
cherished sentiments OF public policy aud con-
sii,ulional right.
| Immediately related 10 this question OF suf'
/ frage, is the subject of our Naturalization laws.
! Il is one in which many OF the people IN this
! Territory have a doep interest. IL was the
early policy uf the Government OF the United
1 States, 10 invite to our shores, the emgrant
from other countries. The time within which,
/ and the terms upon which, he was entitled TO
/ all the privileges Of an American citizen, were
I Fixed BY the Patriots of the Revolution. were
sanctioned by Jefferson, and have ever since
I been maintained BY those who profess, and are
governed by his principles. Invited by this
/ policy, large and respectable portion OF The
population Of this Territory have hocked h'h-
/ or froal all nations and kindreds and tongues,
to become in the language of the Ordinance OF
81, "inhabiiants and settlers" in their adopt
Cd homo. Hnher they have brought their
sturdy arms and stout hearts, & their common
stock of virtues to build up state, whose hon