The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-12-12

Each State OF the national confederacy has
deep and immediate interest in those questions,
which are about to rise out Of the war with Mexi-
CO; and no State can overlook them, with due
regard for the safety Of the Union and the main
tainance of the principles of the Constitution.
The fact that our army senti the interior of
Mexico has not been vanquisbed, but on the con.
rary has been victorious on every battie-heid' ana
has fully sustained the character -four country for
military prowess, is a very natural and very
proper subject of national pride and congratila-
ton. The bonfires, luminstions. and rejoicings,
upon the receipt of the first news OF such events,
shows the patriotic ardor of our people, and their
devotion and attachment to their government
But the ardor of public feeling should not be al
lowed to lead judgment astray, or induce forget
funess OF the duty ofour country and its high po-
sition in regard to the great and immutable prin-
ciples of justice and the rights OF man. A thirst
for military fame and conquest, an overweening
spirit of ofagsrandizement have been fatal to repub-
lies in ages past When the free republican in
stitutions of this country were established 1t was
admitted by the most enlightened throughout the
civilized world, that great advance was made IN
the science of government--that the rights OF men
and the true objects of government were more
clearly understood, more forcibly promulgated,
and more correctly and justly established than al
any former period of the World.
81
mental principles established by our government
had created barriers against the spirit OF conquest
which cupIdity and rapacity could not overleap.
To secure the blessings Of liberty. protect our peo'
ple in the pursuit of happiness, elevate them 10 the
grade of hum anity, and advance them in all the I'M
provements and arts of civilized life, are objects
Of higher, far higher import and utility than to
dazzle and delude them by the glare and splendor
of military renown. and lead them back IN ihe
bloody track of conquest. Founded on sacred
regard for the rights Of man, and resting on the IN
teiligence and public virtue oe the people for its
security, our government occupies an elevated
position before the civilized world. The inter-
course of our country with foreign nations. as well
Az the administration Of our internal affairs, should
be marked by a high regard for justice and the
rights of mankind, under all circumstances; and II
it be the object of our people to extend the iniiu
ance of free institutions to other nations oi the
world, far more can be done by the moral influence
Of example than by conquest and force oi victori-
Gus arms.
Irespectfully call your attention to the laws now
in force Tor the regulation Of the militia. They
were originally designed to operate IN time OF
ne ace but are detective and inefficient even then
In time of war they are wholly Incompetent
The salaries now paid to the Adjutant and Quar-
termaster Generals are also inadequate to secure
men of military talents, such as are indispensable
in raising and organizing troops tor the service Oh
the country The present incumbents, during the
last six months, have served their country with a
degle ee of skill and fidelity which will commend
them to your favorable consideration.
The unhappy controversy between the authoii-
ties of Virginia and Ohio, in regard TO jursdictlon
which arose in lS45, has not as yet beer satlsiac-
torily ad definitely adjusted. The citizens taken
forcbly from this State to be tried in Virginia. have
been discharged on mere nominal bonds, and the
question Of Jurisdiction which arose IN the prose-
cution was carried to the General Court OF Virgin
Ia But division Of opinion in that tribunal on
the question has prevented final adjudication OF
the controversy. The authorities of Virginia have
not vet authorized the arrest and surrender OF the
persons demanded as fugitives from the Justice OF
this State, on the charge of abduction The facts
connected with this difficulty were very fully laid
before the Ger era Assembly at the late session.
again commend the subject TO your special at
tention. ----- -...-.-----
can only repeat the recommendations made IN
my former communications to the General Assem-
bly, in favor of the repeal of the laws imposing use
less and unjust restrictions and disabilities on the
colored population of this State These laws have
no tendency to limit the emigration and settlement
of this kind of population within Ohio, and they
are at variance with the humane spirit OF the age
and inconsistent with the character OF our people.
| The colored population already located in ouI
State, should be treated with humanity and justice
Their rights are enti tied TO the protection OF oui
laws, although their settlement in Ohio may be un
fortunate for themselves. Their further emigra
ton to the State ought not to be encouraged; ant
it may be discouraged if it become necessary, in
manner not onsistent with humanity and justice
The question of the Banks and Currency which
has ccasioned much strife and controversy in thi
state for many years, is now, it hoped, definite
| " settled. The new banking system which ha
been established has, thus far, been successful
in accomplishing the beneficial purposes of it
creation. The currency OF the state has beer
restored, and is now in more safe ant
sound condition than at any former period. Wan
of confidence and alarm are no longer felt amoni
those who are engaged in commercial affairs in thu
state, and the banks have afforded, so far as pru
dent regard for public interest would permit, ,thos
accommodations which the business of the coun
try required. No action of the General Assem-
by is believed to be necessary on this subject at thu
present time. The safety and utility OF this new
system of banking has been tested, and during thu
two years past, no subject has been made more
prominent in the political controversies before the
people of the state than this Twice, already have
the people al the ballot box pronounced in its ia
vor. No longer can public sentiment on the sub
iect be misunderstood. The currency OF the stat,
is in the hands of almost every citizen, and is, ne
siness OF the country. A political war, therefore
upon 1t, is war upou the business and Interest,"
of the people. A proper respect for the will o
the majority, as well as a due regard for the inter
ests Of the country as humbly conceive, dictate
that this question be no longer made subject o
political controversy in Ohio
i There are now twenty-six banks in operation
under the new system, of which seventeen arr
branches of the State Bank, and nine are indepen
dent. The gTegate amount OF capital of the Braa
ches of the State Bank is 81 ,496, ,757 A; and thu
amount of their circulation on the second day o
November, ls46.was S2, 2,655,3i6 90. The aggre
gate amount Of capital OF the Independent Bank
is 1916 l7O and their circulation at the period las
mentioned, was S6l2, ,465. There are yet eigh
banks doing business under charters granted undel
the old banking system in this state, whose aggre
gate capital, at the time of the last reports, on t
second day of November, 1876, was ss3 .953, $50
and circulation, 80 ,4O6,95s. The whole amoun
Of banking capital, therefore, employed in th'
state at this time, by the thrtyfour banks, amount
to $5.s26.677 A; and the whole circulation
$5,674, ,769.
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