The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1849-10-26

held, and consequently, the object
for which it was created will be en-
tirely defeated.
1t was most earnestly hoped BY
the executive and the people, that
the occasion which demanded the
passage OF this law, had forever gone
by, so that.it might have been per-
mitted to pass quietly out of exist
ence under the operation of the con.
sti'ution and an improved condition
OF the social relations in that coun-
ty. But the recent renewal of out
RACES in the county Of Massac, at
tended by violence and several re-
voting murders, has disappointed
this expectation. Representations
made to me by the sheriff. and 9TH
er civil officers charged with the ex-
ecnion of the laws and the preser.
walton of the peace in that county,
as well as by others in whom | have
full confidence, betray state of
things which ough ut not to be and
cannot he tolerated in a civilized
state, having laws and the power to
execute them. The sheriff, with
other civil officers, unite in declar-
ing their inability to restore quiet,
or vindicate the supremacy Of the
law against rioters who are assem-
bled in armed bands and engaged in
mutual deprrdations and outrages.
The executive has been called up
on to arrest these outrages by the
employment OF military force
Bound to see the laws executed in
REFRESHING civil disturbances in the
state, and willing to incur the nee
essary responsibility in efforts to ef-
feet that end. it became necessary
for the executive to adopt such a
course as would be calculated to ac-
complish this o. ject, most consistent
with the interest aud character of
the state. The existing laws being
rl"sr'y inadequate 10 the purpose,
tie only alternative was presented,
Of either sending military force
into that county, Involving tie pro-
bable necessity of keeping it there
for an indefinite time, or referring
the matter to the general assembly
for the enactment of such laws as
the emergency might require. A
military force sent into the county
might, indeed, preserve the peace,
so far as to repfeSS Law less outrage,
but it could do little more. 1t could
not bring singh offender to justice
nor redress existing grievances. Or
tenders might be ov"rawed by it,
but not qurlled. By the Nitld.awal
of such force from the county, the
same scenes of violence and outrage
might be- again renewed.
The history of our state, particn-
lar'y of its legislation, for the past
six years af,rls an impressive and
profitable lesson on 'Ie subject OF
rcsorting to military force instead
of employing properly constituted
! judicial tribunals, TO arrest civil dis
/ turbanccs. Tie enormous expense
necessarily attendant upon such eff
forts, ought,o admonish us to pause
until other means of depressing such
disorders have been faithfully tried
Other and more pacific. and in my
! Judgment, more honorable means ye
remain to us.
F., frankly declare TO the legislature
and the people of the state, that il
view of all the facts, and in the face
IF our past experience in view o
the comparative cost; and with
just regard to the character of TIT
state at home and abroad. | have M
hesit'tion in declaring my prefer
cnce for special session Cor thi
purpose alone, to tie employment q
military force, cxc"p, in the last re-
sort, for the vin'ication Of the su
prcmacy of t. law.
), ! have alsn thought proper to in
wife Your attention TO the prophet,
, of examining, and if necessary. q
f amending San act to amend the six
! ty-siX,h chapter of the revised stat
utes, entitled 'limiia,ions,'" approx
ed February 10, lSl9. ] am infnr
med that it has already become a Sc
. rions question among the member
, of the judiciary, whether this statut
does not bar n recovery upon al
claims heretofore existing, as We
- those thereafter to ars", wlic
might be due five years from III
I passage Of tits law. If such sha'
bccnm" its settled construction, III
y 'onSrqurnr, are too appar' NJ NJ
/ t" suggest tie necessity of amend
r mrnt. Besides t',r large class {
m,ri,oiiouS Indebtedness vile
might hr affected by such an inter
s pre- tdtIon of tie law, i, will be oh
# served that n large portion of til
school fund due tn tl, several conn