New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1846-01-07
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
To The Senate aud Assembly:


FELLow.CIrIzENs We arc assembled to perform the
highest and responsible duties pertaining TO civil CO.
vernment. Other departments are charged with the ac-
inistratjon and execution ofthe law Upon the Leesa
ure is devolved the duty of making the Ian! s action s
the rule Of administration and execution That action is
over all and upon ALL Il binds the conduct OF men 10
the extent Of the extreme penalty OF human life and the
interests of the ofevery thing which can tie
held property The office of the legislator is one of
the highest dignity. The trust reposec IL him by his
constituency is OF the gravest import Our ambition
should be discharge this trust well and faithfully and
our expectations OF honor should be measured by The
strength Of consciousness that sound principles dis
interested intentions and patriotic impulses govern our
acts.
The reflection that we are the mere agents of the peo
Pile elected not to ourselves but them should be
present with Vhe great elements of their proc
perity ii their hands, not ours. Then own patient
industry and careful rugay and their nm devotion to
equal rights and equal laws the foundation and the
life of our Institutions, and are within their own keeping.
Laws necessary enable them 10 pursue this indus
try and enjoy its fruits obtain these rights end reap
their benefits. Burdens must be imposed upon them
and their property deray the expenses OF carrying
these laws into effect. These things they cannot well do
in person Hence the delegation OF power 10 and
the discharge OF this agency is the responsible duty u-
which we aboui to enter. The iewest and sim
pest laws consistent with the security OF the great OBJ
ects TO be attained and the ghtes burdens which their
enforcement will permit must be the best and wisest
execution OF the trust the most sautary md accepta
bic the constituency and the most honorable TO the
representative.
permitted TO govern our action. duties will be rem
dercd comparatively easy their performance pleasant
and their discharge beneficial TO the public. II we Try
measures by the influences they must exert upon
the interests and pursuits Of all classes OF society aud
carefully compare every expenditure we authorize with
the promises of benefit to the whole people we shall
escape the worst perpleXcs which are usually attend
ant upon legislation; avoid the serious dangers
which bcset path; and lay no foundation for The
complaints which most deeply disturb the public mind
That legislation which equazes the benefits and bur
dens of Government extends the encouragement TO
the enterprise and industry of al in every situation and
employment, and attempts to secure special PRIV
leges 10 any, will diuse prosperity throughout COM
munity because under such system OF laws, all Will
feel that the frutG of their industry justly secured TO
themselves On the contrary attempts TO confer lavors
by law upon classes or localities produce competition
destructive to profitable industry strife, not 10 earn
but to gain the earnings of others. Such policy may
accumulate wealth in few hands rapidly than
equal legislation, and may, TO the superficial observer
present the greatest show OF prosperity but the appear
ance is artificial and deusive and is produced by a
forced and unequal distribution OF the proceeds OF the
labor of ALL The tendency OF this false system is to
separate capital from productive labor ana carried out
TO its u extent will produce the singular result that ne
who labors least may accumulate most and he VINO
works the hardest may know the most want
choice between these lines Of policy in the discharge
ofour legislative duties cannot be difficult and will not
trust be doubtful.
presenting to you the condition of the State ref
erence to its internal peace may well claim the first
place.
In my annual message oil the last year, II became my
unpleasant, duty 10 the Legislature that the
public peace had been interrupted the laws resisted BY
armed force and that my predecessor had been compel
led to order into service portion OF the militia OF the
Stale TO preserve the one and enforce the other
That military force was in the field at the time that COM
muncation made 10 the Legislature. In that paper
gave at length the character OF these disturbances and
in every form which presented itself TO my mind as
likely beneficial influence, appealed 10 the ten
OF the estates, between whom and the landlords OF
the same estates the controversy noinaly existed
4 tho fhalr ~ Ev1rn
their influence and their contributions OF money and
means from the desperate who making armed
resistance against the laws.
AZ that time human life had been sacrificed. IN two
several instances 20 the mad spirit OF characterization
and those incidents referred natural fruits Of
such unlawful violence, and startling warnings OF
results the spirit continued be encour
/ aged.
These disturbances, and the proper remedies to be
applied them, occupied much OF the time 81 the last
Legislature, and among other measures adopted
law 10 prevent persons appearing disguised and arm
ed. The provisions OF this law were stringent, and
its penalties so severe that the confident hope in
dulced OF an abandonment OF the of the DISCUSSES
the protection of which as experience had shown
suted the principal danger Repeated instances OF
Grant outrage hsd demonstrated that those who would
soop disguise their persons N pursuit OF Iplaw
ul object only required have their confidence the
protection of the disguise sufficiently reugthened
bring them the commission OF any degree OF crime
In other words the universal principle illustrated
IN these proceedings that CRIME requires conccamert
and that he who dare not, in the open light look the law
IN the face will be eboldenec under the cover OF dark
ness, the protection Of the mask 70 Outrage ;is
quireuen and strike down is deterceess ministers.
This law had no, long been in force when il became
apparent that the hopes entertained CT It's saluary inu
ence were TO be realized Confidence IN the dis
euises became stronger than the fear OF punishment and
paIues OF disguised men began 10 show themselves Il
the excited districts. The County Of Delaware thereto
tore comparatively peaceful became the theatre OF more
open and active resistance against the officers OF the law
than had previously prevailed elsewhere The assem-
blases OF disguised men frequent ro-s nu-
,nerous and Their proceedings daring ard 3esper-
ate than had characterized The disturbances any other
quarter So also these swess ou,rases and their perpe
traitors were in tina, County more promptly h-y,
and energencsy than they had been before encounter
cd without the aid of State military force and the law
abiding citizens of the County led BY their civil off
GERS their lasting honor, overcae the resisers BY
their UDaded efforts
The Courts and Juries Of the Couaty proved them
selves as firm and faithful the law the body Of c
zens had DONE and those arrested in disguise and with
arms were indicted tried convicted and three OF the
number sentenced TO imprisonment in the SEse Prison
each for the term Of two years.
These energetic proceedings appeared for the time 10
have subdued the nsurrecuonary spirit as well II the
osher excited Counties, in Delaware and again the
hope INDUCED that if excitement had given place
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